7 Best Towns near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Base your vacation in one of the best towns near Smoky Mountains National Park for a vacation you’ll never forget.
Whether your family is looking for something more rural and laidback or you want to be in the middle of all the activities, there’s a town for you on this list.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the entire U.S. National Parks System. It welcomes over 12 million visitors each year!
Thankfully, there are plenty of options on where to stay outside the park that are still convenient to all of the hikes, overlooks, scenic drives, and visitors centers.
Below, I’ve shared my favorite towns near this popular national park, so you can choose the perfect park base for your family’s needs.
The Camping Kiddos at the Gatlinburg entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Best Towns near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
While the Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be on any family’s itinerary when visiting near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, you might have reasons for staying outside the park.
For starters, the park is huge, clocking in at just over half a million acres.
It makes much more sense to stay on the edge of the park in one of the adorable border towns below than to have to drive out of the park for food, groceries, and non-park activities.
Also, you’d only be getting half the experience of visiting this area if you just did the national park (and that’s coming from someone who loves the national parks!).
Both the North Carolina and Tennessee sides of the park have some incredible places to call home base, and you’ll be able to layer so many activities onto your hiking, scenic drives, and visitors center visits.
Let’s dive into the incredible variety of towns on the outskirts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cherokee, NC
Cherokee is a beautiful town in western North Carolina about an hour and 15 minutes from Asheville.
Named after the local tribe, the town showcases a deep history against the beautiful mountain backdrop of hiking, biking, kayaking, and more.
What to Do in Cherokee, North Carolina
My daughter in front of the Museum of the Cherokee
Don’t miss out on the Museum of the Cherokee, an excellent museum that tells the story of the Cherokee people’s culture, history, and legacy.
If you only do one thing in town, make it this museum.
I remember coming here for the first time when I was in elementary school, and even at that young age, the history of the Cherokee touched me deeply. It was wonderful to bring my own daughter back when she was about the same age so that she, too, could learn about the people who have been stewards of this land for centuries.
The downtown shopping area is great for picking up souvenirs. The shops along Tsali Boulevard back up to the Oconoluftee River, so you’ll get a scenic view as you look for t-shirts and pottery, or enjoy ice cream.
Go tubing on the Oconoluftee River. This river cuts through the heart of Cherokee, and tubing is the best way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. Outdoor outfitters like Cherokee Rapids River Tubing run daily floats, which are excellent after a morning hike.
My kids love to go tubing (like we did in Asheville on the French Broad River), and kids 4 and up can have that same laid back experience here.
Where to Get Groceries in Cherokee, North Carolina
While there’s plenty to do here, Cherokee isn’t a huge town, so you’re limited on your places to get food.
The best bet for groceries is the Food Lion on the other side of town, about a 15 minute drive from our suggested campground (more on that below).
If you need to do any heavier shopping—like we did when my preschooler somehow lost 1 shoe while playing—you’re going to have to head into Sylva, a 35 minutes drive from Cherokee. There, you’ll find a Walmart Super Center with RV supplies, clothes, and a wide variety of groceries.
Where to Stay in Cherokee, North Carolina
If you’ve spend any time at all on this blog, you’ll know that I will choose a campground, yurt, or cabin over a chain hotel all day every day.
So, it should come as no surprise that my suggestion on where to stay in Cherokee is a campground.
Our pop up camper at the Cherokee KOA
The Cherokee KOA is just a few miles outside of downtown, and it’s located on a pretty stream in the heart of the mountains.
There are some excellent kid-friendly amenities like a pool, jump pad, daily crafts, and seasonal activities like trick-or-treating.
Plus, the campground had some of the cleanest bathrooms we’ve encountered on our travels so far.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
The best part about Cherokee? You’re less than 20 minutes from the southern entrance of the park and about that same distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Oconoluftee Visitors Center on the southern end of Newfound Gap Road should be your first stop in the national park.
Here, you can pick up your Junior Ranger booklet, get hiking suggestions, and more. The Mountain Farm Museum is nearby if you’re interested in the history of farming in this area.
Not sure what a Junior Ranger booklet is? Check out the answer to that and everything else you need to know for a first time NPS visit in my national parks for beginners guide!
Bryson City, NC
Bryson City, North Carolina, is another fantastic choice for a home base while you’re exploring in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park
What to Do in Bryson City, North Carolina
The number one attraction in Bryson City is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, where you can board a vintage train on a tour through the stunning landscape.
We took the kids on the Tuckasegee River Excursion, and it was SO much fun. They loved looking at the passing farms, mountains, tunnels, river, and roads as we slowly made our way to Dillsboro, North Carolina, and back.
There’s also a layover in Dillsboro, where I suggest you get off the train to grab lunch and wander through the small town.
Kostas Express on Haywood Road in Dillsboro serves up delicious Greek food as well as burgers, chicken, and more. It will get packed, so walk the block from the train depot as soon as you’re allowed off the train.
The train offers up multiple routes and themed train excursions for Halloween and Christmas.
The Camping Kiddos and I in Bryson City before we boarded the train to Dillsboro
The cute downtown area in Bryson City is bustling and much bigger than the one in Cherokee. You’ll find everything from a model train museum to vintage clothes stores here, so you’ll definitely want to plan at least an afternoon to shop.
The entire downtown area is highly walkable, so park the car and wear comfy shoes. If you’re planning to do both the railroad and a downtown shopping spree, you can easily access both from one of the public parking areas.
If you’re into waterfall hikes, you’ll find them by the handful around Bryson City.
Within a 20 minute drive from Bryson City, you’ll find these waterfall trails in the national park:
Juney Whank Falls on the Juney Whank Falls Trail
Tom Branch Falls on Deep Creek Trail
Indian Creek Falls on Indian Creek Trail
And that’s not including the beautiful overlooks and river trails in the same area of the park.
Where to Get Groceries in Bryson City, NC
PIN ME!
Bryson City is bigger than Cherokee, but it’s still not huge.
Still, you’ll have a couple of options for groceries and supplies for your trip and hikes.
I’d recommend the Ingles on Hughes Branch Road: this is a Southern grocery store chain that you’ll find in the North Carolina and South Carolina mountains as well as several other nearby states. Whenever we’re in the mountains, Ingles is our go-to store if there’s one nearby.
They’ve got a bakery, deli, and a wide variety of staples. The store brand, Laura Lynn, is great (I especially like their caramel ground coffee).
Directly across the street is a Dollar General if you’re just in need of a few items.
Across town, there’s an IGA over on Main Street. I don’t mind IGA stores, but they somehow always seem to have a lingering spilled milk smell. Still, they’ve got all of your grocery basics.
Where to Stay in Bryson City, NC
Deep Creek Campground inside the national park is an excellent choice for campers.
It has sites for both RV and tent campers, though none of the sites have electric or sewer hookups.
The campground fees, like most in the NPS, are reasonable, especially when compared to the private campgrounds in town.
However, if you have to have RV hook-ups—or if you just want a shower, which you won’t find at Deep Creek Campground—you should head over to the confusingly named Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground. (Nope, these aren’t the same campgrounds, though I’m SURE someone has booked at one and then been very confused when they showed up at the other.)
Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground has on-site tube launches, gem mining, a pirate-themed playground, and cabins. They’ve also got basic tent sites, big rig pull through sites, and several options in between.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
The edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is less than 10 minutes from Bryson City, though there isn’t a big visitors center here like you’ll find at some of the other entrances.
In fact, the entrance to the park along Deep Creek Road looks just like any other 2 lane road through the mountains—until you start to see the parking, camping, and picnic signage that indicates you’re already in the park.
Luckily, this part of the park isn’t quite as busy as other areas (especially the entrance near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee), so you’re more likely to have the trails to yourself.
Pigeon Forge, TN
If you’re looking for a town near the Great Smoky Mountains that has more to do than you could ever fit into one vacation, Pigeon Forge is the place for you.
What to Do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
There’s something for everyone here from lumberjack shows to go kart racing to a true crime museum.
My family’s favorite Pigeon Forge activities were:
the Titanic Museum (such a great way to learn about the individual passengers on the ship)
Dollywood (plan at least 2 days here and another for the water park in the summer)
The Island (don’t miss out on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel or the ropes course here)
Pigeon Forge Snow (where you can go snow tubing while wearing shorts year round)
Plus, you’ll find restaurants of every buffet, dinner show, and cuisine.
We’ve enjoyed Huck Finn’s Catfish for their family-style Southern dinners, and Timberwood Grill in the The Island for salads, chicken sandwiches, burgers, and cocktails.
I’d skip the Frizzle Chicken Cafe, despite this being one of the most recommended restaurants for our kids. The chicken animatronics didn’t work, the wait staff was disorganized, and their food is overpriced even for Pigeon Forge.
Where to Get Groceries in Pigeon Forge, TN
The best grocery store in Pigeon Forge is the Publix at the corner of the Parkway and Wear Valley Road.
I will go out of my way for a Publix, thanks to their delicious sub sandwiches, fresh bakery items, international food section, and fresh produce.
Publix also tends to carry local food items so you can try different ingredients and treats as part of your vacation (just look on the end caps).
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge, TN
Arriving at Clabough’s Campground in our pop up trailer
Camping in Pigeon Forge is tough since you’re in the middle of a bustling city.
Still, we enjoyed our time at Clabough’s Campground on Wear Valley Road, just down the street from the aforementioned Publix.
The sites weren’t huge, but they were bigger than some we’ve had at KOAs or other private campgrounds.
Most of the sites had some tree coverage, though ours—site 38 in the original campground—didn’t and was so hot in the afternoons.
There is a pool and a lazy river, plus a playground and game room. The Exxon at the entrance has an excellent grab-and-go breakfast menu. Try the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits!
I will note that during our stay here, the police had to come to a tent site down the row from us twice for reasons unknown. However, if you’re familiar with this area, you’ll know that situation has more to do with Pigeon Forge in general than that specific campground.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
The view from the observation tower at Clingman’s Dome, the highest area in the national park
The closest entrance to the national park is about 20 minutes by car; you’ll pass close to Gatlinburg on your way into the Sugarlands entrance.
This entrance is the most popular in the park, and most of the Smokies’ 12 million annual visitors come through here.
While parking at Sugarlands Visitor Center is at a premium during peak times, you’ll soon get away from the crowds if you head a bit further into the park.
The Clingman’s Dome hike, one of our favorites in the park, is just a few miles down the road from Sugarlands Visitors Center, but it feels like a world away.
Gatlinburg, TN
What to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
To quote Bill Bryson, author of A Walk in the Woods:
Gatlinburg is a shock to the system from whichever angle you survey it, but never more so than when you descend upon it from a spell of moist, grubby isolation in the woods. It sits just outside the main entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and specializes in providing all those things that the park does not—principally, slurpy food, motels, gift shops, and sidewalks on which to waddle and dawdle—nearly all of it strewn along a single, astoundingly ugly main street.
While I tend to take a more upbeat view of the places we visit—there’s something positive about every situation, I think—I have to admit that he’s not wrong.
Gatlinburg is a smaller Pigeon Forge with wax museums, restaurants, classic car museums, and alpine coaster tracks all jostling for space.
Whereas Pigeon Forge sprawls, Gatlinburg prefers to keep the activities all within a relatively small area, which is either a pro or a con depending on how much you like walking through a busy town.
I’m happy to skip the kitschier activities like the Pinball Museum or Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum (both real places!) for something more robust like a mountain ziplining experience or a Ghosts of the Smokies walking tour.
Okay, so maybe a ghost walking tour is kitschy, too, but I just can’t resist a good haunted tour.
If you want to get out an stretch your legs, the Gatlinburg Trail is an excellent choice. Clearly marked and mostly paved, the trail stretches alongside the parkway that leads into the national park.
If you’re so inclined, you can hike all the way to Sugarlands Visitors Center!
This trail is an excellent way to start a longer trip at the national park. Check out my 1 week in Great Smoky Mountains National Park itinerary for more ideas.
My family at the entrance sign near Gatlinburg
Where to Get Groceries in Gatlinburg, TN
For a place that sees so many visitors each year, Gatlinburg doesn’t have a lot to offer in the way of convenient grocery stores.
There is a Whole Foods-type grocery store just north of the downtown area called Whole Earth Grocery and Cafe, which is great for fresh produce and meats.
The other option you have is Food City, a standard grocery store on East Parkway about 10 minutes from the downtown area.
For a wider selection of groceries, RV supplies, or clothes, you’ll have to head back over to Pigeon Forge to the Walmart near Sevierville.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, TN
Twin Creek RV Resort is clean, quiet, and near all of the attractions in Gatlinburg, a combination that doesn’t seem possible, but works here.
The sites are level and come with a paved pad and hookups. The sites are shaded with both back-in and pull-through options.
One perk of the campground’s location is that it is on the free Gatlinburg trolley line. The Yellow Route, which runs by the campground’s entrance will take you to the convention center and beyond.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
The Camping Kiddos at Cataract Falls
Gatlinburg is less than 15 minutes from the Sugarlands entrance, making the national park incredibly accessible.
At this entrance, you can stop by the Sugarlands Visitors Center for maps, ranger questions, and souvenirs. The bookstore/gift shop here is the biggest in the park with everything from coloring books to branded hiking poles to sweatshirts.
Near this entrance, you’ll also find Cataract Falls on Cove Mountain Trail which is one of the easiest, most accessible waterfall hikes near Gatlinburg.
>> See our complete Cataract Falls hiking guide here. <<
The Sugarland Valley Nature Trailhead is located on the parkway about a mile past the visitors center. This short, easy hike wanders past streams and sections of old stone houses from before the park was established.
Townsend, TN
While Townsend, Tennesee is a quaint mountain town, it’s bustling tourism trade comes from the fact that this is the closest town to Cades Cove, one of the most picturesque places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What to Do in Townsend, Tennessee
Tuckaleechee Caverns is open each year from March to November and allows guests to see underneath the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll learn about geology and the formation of the cave as well as learn how seismic activity in the cave provides valuable data on this area.
Tubing with Smoky Mountains River Rat Tubing is a guaranteed great day outdoors. There are two routes to choose from, with Route A being more gentle and Route B having several sections of swift moving but low level rapids. Kids 3 and up can go on Route A, while you’ll need to be at least 6 to do Route B.
Go horseback riding at Davy Crockett Riding Stables. They offer everything from an hour ride to a half day guided tour, so both beginner riders and more experienced riders can find the perfect experience.
Where to Get Groceries in Townsend, TN
Townsend is small, so you’re limited for choice here. Your best best for groceries is going to be the IGA in the middle of town, where you can get your usual grocery supplies from this mid-sized grocery chain.
The closest Walmart is the one in Pigeon Forge near Sevierville, a 40 minute drive from Townsend.
There’s a Target in West Knoxville, but that’s nearly 50 minutes away.
Where to Stay in Townsend, TN
We love a KOA, and the Townsend/Great Smokies KOA is no exception. With kid-friendly amenities, flat camping sites, and great location in Townsend, it’s a great place to relax when you’re not hiking or exploring in the national park.
The entire campground has beautiful foliage for a peaceful camping experience. Try to get one of the back in spots near the river!
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
Just one of the many historic buildings in Cades Cove
The start of the Cades Cove scenic loop road is about 20 minutes from Townsend, but you’ll enter the park much sooner than that.
In fact, the national park entrance is less than a mile from the KOA recommended above.
On the way to the scenic loop, stop at White Oak Flats Falls, an easy, roadside waterfall. Bote Mountain Tunnel and Meadow Branch Cascade Trail are great options for quick stops, too.
Once you’re in Cades Cove, you can choose to drive, bike, or ride on horseback through this area. Go slowly and stay focused as you never know when you might see an elk, white tailed deer, or bear!
Waynesville, NC
If you’re interested in the part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that remains less traveled, you should base your visit near Waynesville, NC, or nearby Maggie Valley, NC (more on the latter below).
What to Do in Waynesville, North Carolina
Main Street in Waynesville, North Carolina
Downtown Waynesville is well worth an afternoon as this revitalized area of town is filled with antique shops, boutiques, and cafes.
Outside of town, pop into Mud Dabber’s Pottery, where you’ll find unique, handmade cups, plates, vases, and more. I still have a mug from this store that I got while I was visiting here in college!
You can easily access the Blue Ridge Parkway from Waynesville, and wind your way along the 469 miles of picturesque mountain roads.
On a hot summer day, head over to Sunburst Swimming Hole, which has a natural beach and ankle deep water perfect for wading.
Where to Get Groceries in Waynesville, NC
Waynesville has grown a lot in recent years, so this once sleepy mountain town is now home to multiple grocery stores.
You’ll find a Walmart Super Center and an Ingles grocery store close together just off of Old Balsam Road on the southwestern part of town.
There’s also another Ingles and a Publix on the northern end of town near the Russ Avenue exit from Highway 74.
Where to Stay in Waynesville, NC
Creekwood Farm RV Park is our vote for camping near Waynesville.
This pretty RV park is located right on Jonathan Creek, where guests can wade or fish.
There are also hiking trails onsite and a playground for the kids.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
You’re going into the national park on one of the lesser traveled roads in order to access the Cataloochee Valley.
This remote part of the park is stunning, with old homesteads, quiet hiking trails, and overlooks.
Take Cove Creek Road to its end within the park and then follow Cataloochee Entrance Road for another mile. Go slowly because both are narrow roads with plenty of switchbacks.
Elk grazing in Cataloochee Valley
In Cataloochee, you can go hiking on the Caldwell Fork Trail and explore the Jarvis Palmer House.
On the Old Cataloochee Turnpike, you can take the Little Cataloochee Trailhead to see several historic buildings, including the Little Cataloochee Baptist Church and cemetery and Jim Hannah’s cabin.
Maggie Valley, NC
A cozy town nestled at the southern base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maggie Valley is a great place for a laid back Western North Carolina trip.
What to Do in Maggie Valley, North Carolina
The Wheels through Time Museum is an excellent stop for anyone interested in classic motorcycles.
Dive into the local culture with a visit to Stompin Ground, which hosts bluegrass concerts, clogging competitions, and dancing. Each Saturday between April and October, you can watch talents teams compete, then take to the floor between sets. It’s a unique, family friendly experience unique to this region!
Sign near road for Stompin Ground | source
Where to Get Groceries in Maggie Valley, NC
Maggie Valley has retained much of its charm over the years, and the town works hard to keep local stores and restaurants in business.
Because of the size of Maggie Valley and their commitment to local businesses, you’re not going to find chain grocery stores here.
Nearby Waynesboro is a quick 15 minute drive if you need to visit Walmart or Publix, but you can pick up bread, milk, and other basics from the Dollar General on Soco Road.
Where to Stay in Maggie Valley, NC
Stonebridge RV Resort and Campground is located just outside of Maggie Valley and on the way to Lake Junaluska.
This clean and sprawling campground was awarded one of the best campgrounds in America by Campspot in 2023!
A babbling stream runs through the middle of the park, with cabins on one side and RV spots on the other.
Distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Closest Entrance
I’d suggest entering the park from Balsam Mountain Road off of the Blue Ridge Parkway as this little road will take you to some off-the-beaten-path overlooks and trails.
Along this road, you’ll find the Lake Junaluska overlook and the equally stunning Heintooga Overlook. There are multiple hiking trails off of this road, too, including the Balsam Mountain Nature Trail, Hemphill Bald Trail, and Flat Creek Trail.
If you’re looking for some solitude in the park, this area and the ones recommended above in the Lake Junaluska section are far less visited than those near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Ready for more adventures in Western North Carolina?
