Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Misty Peaks & Mountain Magic: A Guide to the Smokies
30
items Where rolling blue ridges meet misty mornings and every trail feels like a walk through time. America’s most-visited national park is full of quiet wonder, Appalachian history, and the kind of beauty that creeps into your soul.
Sections
4
Where to Stay: Cabins, Lodges & Smoky Mountain Hideaways
Hikes Worth Every Step: From Misty Falls to Mountaintop Views
Easy Wonders: Scenic Drives, Lookouts & Slow Wandering
Where to Eat: Southern Comfort With a Side of View
Where to Stay: Cabins, Lodges & Smoky Mountain Hideaways
From luxury cabins to rustic charm, these are the best stays near the park to soak in the views and sleep to the sound of crickets.
Perched on a mountaintop, this no-frills lodge is pure magic—sunsets, starry skies, and a porch that overlooks forever.
Leconte Lodge (only reachable by hike)
Luxury on a working farm. Spa, fine dining, and sweeping mountain views. Pricey but unforgettable.
Blackberry Farm
Elegant cabins in a quiet gateway town. Fireplaces, local eats, and trail access just minutes away.
Dancing Bear Lodge
Historic, affordable, and right in town. Stay here if you want a walkable home base and mountain nostalgia.
The Historic Gatlinburg Inn
Glamping tents, Airstreams, and cabins—all stylish, cozy, and Instagram-worthy.
Little Arrow
Tucked into the hills above Gatlinburg with rustic-luxury vibes and balconies overlooking the forest.
The Lodge at Buckberry Creek
Hikes Worth Every Step: From Misty Falls to Mountaintop Views
The Smokies are hiking heaven. Here are trails for every level—full of waterfalls, wildflowers, and ridgeline views.
The highest point in the park. A short, paved walk to a surreal 360° view above the clouds.
Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail (1.2 miles, Easy but steep)
Don’t confuse this with the short tourist path—this version of Laurel Falls is a scenic, moderately challenging forest trail with roots, rocks, and real payoff. You'll follow a peaceful, less-traveled route to a stunning two-tiered waterfall cascadin...
Laurel Falls Trail (4.6 miles round trip, Moderate)
Arches, cliffs, and panoramic views. One of the most iconic (and varied) hikes in the park.
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte (11 miles round trip, Difficult)
Open grassy meadow with epic views. Wildflowers in summer, fiery leaves in fall.
Andrews Bald (3.6 miles, Moderate)
One of the park’s most powerful falls, accessed by a riverside trail lined with rhododendrons.
Abrams Falls Trail (5.0 miles, Moderate)
Short and steep with stairs, rock scrambles, and insane views at the top.
Chimney Tops Trail (3.6 miles, Difficult)
Easy Wonders: Scenic Drives, Lookouts & Slow Wandering
Not every adventure has to be a trek—these stops offer wow-worthy views and cultural magic from your car or a quick stroll.
An 11-mile drive through a misty valley of deer, bears, wildflowers, and historic cabins. Go at sunrise for golden light and wildlife galore.
Cades Cove Scenic Loop
A one-way road through old-growth forest, babbling creeks, and log cabins. Feels like stepping into the past.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Explore restored farm buildings, learn Cherokee history, and watch elk roam nearby fields.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Remote and magical. Elk, old churches, and moss-covered cabins await. Less visited and full of charm.
Cataloochee & Balsam Mountain Area - Great Smoky ...
Underrated scenic drive with sweeping views—especially at sunset or during peak fall color.
Foothills Parkway
A short stroll to a still-operating, water-powered mill from the 1880s. Step inside to hear the creak of the floorboards and the rush of the flume.
Mingus Mill
A flat loop near the Sugarlands Visitor Center, perfect for wheelchairs or strollers. Peaceful forest vibes and great birdwatching.
Sugarland Valley Nature Trail Head
A gentle walk through history. Step into a 19th-century schoolhouse and continue to the home of five fiercely independent sisters who lived without electricity until the 1960s.
Walker Sisters Cabin and Little Greenbrier School – October Classic ...
Shady tables by the river, big flat boulders to sun on, and one of the most peaceful spots for lunch in the park. Zero hiking required.
Chimneys Picnic Area
Where to Eat: Southern Comfort With a Side of View
Good hiking deserves good food. Here are the best local spots for biscuits, trout, and post-hike indulgence.
Legendary breakfast spot. Go early, order the sweet potato pancakes, and prepare to wait in line.
Pancake Pantry
Rustic-cabin-themed diner serving huge portions of pancakes, omelets, and cinnamon rolls the size of your head.
Crockett's Breakfast Camp
Creative Southern cuisine with craft beer and a rustic-modern feel. Burgers, fried green tomatoes, and smoky cocktails.
Local Goat New American Restaurant
Elevated Southern eats in a cozy woodland setting. Think trout, grits, and bourbon by the fire.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
Upscale, intimate, and tucked inside a boutique hotel. Great date-night pick after a day in Deep Creek.
The Bistro at the Everett Hotel
Locally caught trout, cooked every way imaginable. Laid-back and full of mountain charm.
Smoky Mountain Trout House
Farm-to-table comfort food with mountain views and a full espresso bar. Get the buckwheat crepes or the brisket sandwich.
Elvira's Cafe
A Tennessee BBQ staple. Pulled pork, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and cornbread that melts in your mouth.
Calhoun's in Gatlinburg
Riverside dining, live music, and Southern food made from scratch. Great for a day trip or dinner with a view.
Amis Mill Eatery