Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best (and most popular) outdoor destinations in the eastern part of the United States. It’s located in both North Carolina and Tennessee and has miles and miles of trails to run that to offer breathtaking panoramic views, stream crossings, historic buildings and even amazing waterfalls.
Here are five of our favorite routes to enjoy a pleasant run in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located in the southeastern region of the park 2 miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. It’s a great place to start your adventure because you can pick up a map of the trails for $1 (it’s more detailed than the free version) and fill up on water.
You can even get your first run under your belt from the Visitor Center parking lot. To do so, head down to the river and follow the narrow gravel path that is the Oconaluftee River Trail. It’ll take you past some of the historic buildings on site and then, for the next 1.5 miles, follow alongside the river as you make your way toward Mingus Mill. Out and back is about 3 miles with lots of wide open area for you to cool down.
Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the park, coming in at 6,643 feet of elevation. Most tourists will drive up to the parking lot near the summit and then hoof it the remaining 1/2 mile up to the top.
It’s a fairly steep incline but it’s paved and the view from the observation tower is one of the best in the park. Hill repeats anyone? If you’re looking to make this more of a long run, jump on the Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap (roughly 8 miles one-way).
This run is perfect for anyone camping in the Elkmont area (the northern part of the park). You can literally run from camp and pick up three trails within about a mile from your tent site.
In addition, you can take a lap around some old cabins that date back to the mid-1800s. We recommend picking up Jakes Creek Trail after that which will send you on a steady upward climb past lush ferns and thick forest. Not able to get a campsite but still want to explore this area? There are two small parking lots a short distance from the trailhead.
There’s an 11-mile, one-way loop road that circles Cades Cove and it is one of the most scenic places to run in the park. The road is closed to vehicles—but it’s open to cyclists, runners and hikers—until 10 a.m. every Saturday and Wednesday morning from early May until late September.
If you time it right, you’ll run along smooth pavement and tackle gently rolling hills without the added stress of vehicle traffic. And for those of you always on a quest to get a little dirt under your feet, take a short detour off Cades Cove Loop Road to visit the John Oliver Place. You’ll be treated to a restored cabin that dates back to the 1820s.
The Deep Creek area in the southern part of the park is known for its creeks and waterfalls. You’ll have the opportunity to run past three different waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls.
Note: Indian Creek Falls is the only waterfall located on the park map so be sure to look online before you go or purchase a more detailed map.
– Cell phones rarely work in the park so be prepared to operate without a signal.
– Carry a map and compass and be prepared to use them. Many of the popular trails are well marked but don’t rely on signs as your primary source of navigation, especially in the backcountry.
– Reservations and permits are required if you plan on staying overnight in the backcountry. If you want to stay at one of the campgrounds, do your best to reserve online before you go. The campgrounds fill up quickly.
– Sometimes park roads are closed due to high winds, downed trees, ice and fog. Information is communicated via their Twitter handle.
– There are black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do not approach them and know what to do if you encounter one.
