It's divided into two specific areas: the Hive and Boomer's Bay. }, Sitemap | Owners | Property Management | Rental Agreement | Travel Insurance | Privacy Policy, Eagles Ridge Resort - 2740 Florence Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 -Reservations 1-877-978-3430, { Baskins Creek Falls is a 40-foot, 2-tiered waterfall that creates a gorgeous scene for all to enjoy. . The camps provide ready access to backcountry horse trails. The newest attractions opening this year. Since this is such a popular destination, youre sure to see plenty of other families enjoying the trail too. This 2 mile stroller friendly trail includes one of the longest footbridges in the park and plenty of mountain stream along the way. Hiking to the summit of Clingmans Dome is a must-do when visiting the Smokies. The 1.2 mile trip up and around the paved walkway to the observation tower brings stunning views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains. By helen261. If you want a less-crowded hike, its recommended to visit this trail in the early morning or on the weekday. Youll walk through prime wildflower habitat. Going down the other side, the width was good but LOTS of tree roots crossing the trail. You will also make sure you download maps and directions ahead of time as some trails are not well-marked and theres little to no cell service. The trail was originally built in the 1930s to provide fire crews with access to the Cades Cove area. With a fleet of more than 30 trolley buses, the trolley stops all throughout Pigeon Forge as well as a portion of Sevierville. Herbert Holt Park boasts a trout farm, playground, and children's fishing area. With a roundtrip length of only 3 miles, and a difficultly rating of 4.91 (easy), Baskins Creek Falls is a fun and easy hike for families with small children and older kids alike! } This family-friendly city park has many amenities for the community to enjoy. Jul 14, 2023. Trail starts on the opposite side of the bridge from the picnic area. If you go mid morning its pretty empty and you have the trail to yourself. "@type": "GeoCoordinates", Spruce Flats Falls is a moderately challenging hike that takes around an hour to complete. The views are without a doubt worth it. Snap a stunning nighttime photo of the Gatlinburg skyline from the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook. These cookies do not store any personal information. Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals 349 East Parkway, Gatlinburg TN 37738 Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 18.1 MilesTotal Elevation Gain: 2,910 Feet. Since 1986, the Pigeon Forge trolley has provided a safe, affordable, and convenient form of transportation for all visitors and residents alike. The best time to go to this trail is around 8 AM when there are little to no visitors at the waterfall. The 80ft. The Comedy Barn is proud that it has repeatedly been voted Funniest Show in Town by its fans 20 seasons in a row. Just before the falls, the trail crosses a narrow wooden bridge before reaching the base of the upper falls; the lower falls continue on beneath the trail. s.type = 'text/javascript'; Believe it or not, there are a few stroller friendly trails for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National P CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. It provides picture-perfect opportunities and is a relatively easy hike that children can do. Great, easy trail for a morning of hiking. We did this trail this morning with three kids - two of whom were carried, one was scurrying around. Be sure to pick a Pigeon Forge restaurant that suits the needs of every member of your family. ), 27 Best Romantic Getaways In Tennessee (Hotels, Resorts, & Spas), Best Time To Visit Tennessee (Exclusive Guide by a Local! Pack some snacks and water and head out for an adventure on one of these kid friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains. Save. Be sure to stop in one of the parks visitors centers to pick up a park map before heading out on the trails. Theres a river that runs next to the trail with a waterfall and wooden bridges. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. min-height: 200px; The Elkmont Nature Trail is a great kid hike because it is short and filled with opportunities to learn about the forest ecosystem. After that, youll go through several switchbacks that will make your hike easier. old road bed to tower, then mildly rooted footpath with footlogs over creek crossings to schoolhouse. This trail will take you a little over an hour to hike and is also great for walking, running, and mountain biking. Frequently asked trail questions about Pigeon Forge. The historic charm of this train delights all who board. Being one of the most popular hiking trails in Gatlinburg, Alum Cave is approximately 4.4 miles long. "addressLocality": "Pigeon Forge", The trail is well-marked and can sometimes be very wet after recent rain so make sure you wear a good pair of hiking boots. You will pass the remnants of an old mountain community in the first mile before finding the 19th century John Messer farm site. This 200-foot tall Ferris wheel offers breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge. Be very careful on the rocks and keep a close eye on children. But if youre more of a sit in the car and watch the trees go by sort of tourist, dont think that this is a simple walk to a pretty overlook the trail is only a half-mile, but its straight up the whole way, right from the very beginning. The adrenaline rush of flying above the treetops on a wire while secured in a harness is pure exhilaration. Winner of best shop for 3 years in a row, Three Bears General Store is home to a 5000 square foot bear habitat. Much of the trail runs next to the Little Brier Branch--very peaceful babbling brook. Alex Frick, Are you looking to travel to Whittier California? Pets and bikes are allowed on this one too. If camping isnt your thing, there are also lots of cute places to stay in either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cozy cabins, mountain retreats, and even apartments right downtown. Hill was wide and graveled. 8 Easy Hikes with Waterfalls & Wildflowers Near Gatlinburg Along the way you'll learn about the structures that stood in the area more than a century ago. Ever dream of being a lumberjack? All Rights Reserved. By the 1960s, it had become a popular hiking destination and the trail had begun to erode. Check out our site for attraction coupons. Trailhead is at the very end of River Road in Gatlinburg just before entering the park. We've talked about kid friendly hiking trails in the past, but that doesn't always mean stroller friendly trails. The hike begins with a descent down Forney Ridge from theClingmans Domeparking lot and ends on an upward hike into Andrews Bald, a grassy meadow, which is also the highest bald in the park. Turn your hike into a game or scavenger hunt and see who can find the most different leaves, plants or flowers. Smoky Mountains Hiking Trails to Explore on Your Pigeon Forge Vacation If you'd rather kick back and relax, the show itself is full of impressive lumberjack feats that all ages will enjoy. If you're planning a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN, then you have to consider visiting Dollywood while you're in town! Lots of tourists who dont normally hike. Since this is such a long hike, dogs are not allowed on this trail so you'll need to leave your furry friends at home. Four exciting attractions under one roof in the heart of all the action of Pigeon Forge. A full day of fun is just a short walk or trolley ride away. The park is home to several hiking trails that allow you to enjoy the mountains at your own pace. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Bikes and pets are not allowed on this hike due to park rules. Booking.com This trail is a perfect hike for any season, as each season offers something different for hikers. There is a set of waterfalls that you can also hike to see. Along the way, youll see plenty of breathtaking mountaintops and scenic trails to view all of natures beauty. Follows a small creek and opens up to an old school and cemetery. The Little Greenbrier School House nice. The hike to the bluffs and back is 4.6 miles round trip and takes about 3 hours. Not only is this trail great for hiking, but its perfect for backpacking, horseback riding, running, walking, and camping. Through the summer, the trolley operates from 8:00 AM midnight, and in November and December from 10:00 AM 10:00 PM. Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud. Nice little hike with a little challenge on the very icy log bridges. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This trail is a great kids hike in the Smoky Mountains for families who are looking for a moderate hike through quiet forests filled with wildflowers. Pack some snacks and water and head out for an adventure on one of these kid hikes in the Smoky Mountains. New Hampshire has a lot of surprising and beautiful hidden, By "contactPoint": { Looking for the best hiking trails in Gatlinburg? Along the way, you will see a small waterfall, a nice footbridge and pieces from several old homesites. It is a paved trail, so its a lot easier for little feet to navigate than trails with bumps and exposed tree roots. Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 8 MilesTotal Elevation Gain: 1,886 Feet, Related Read: 40 BEST Things To Do in Pigeon Forge, TN. Based on reviews, visitors say this trail has some great inclines and a beautiful waterfall. As a year-round family-friendly vacation destination, Pigeon Forge is filled with fun activities. }, Top 5 Kid-Friendly Trails for Hiking Near Pigeon Forge, 5 of the Best Trails in the Smoky Mountains with Mountain Views, Top 4 Summer Hiking Trails Near Gatlinburg You Have to Explore, Top 5 Waterfalls in the Smokies That You Dont Want to Miss, Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at the Best Candy Stores in Pigeon Forge, TN, Top 4 Benefits of Spending a Full Week at Our Cabins in Pigeon Forge TN, 4 Reasons Families Love Our Pet Friendly Cabins in Pigeon Forge. When you Mount Sterling is located on the east side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and features a fire towe CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. At some parts of the hike, youll see some very steep drop-offs that will require you to keep a close watch on the kids. Theres a good reason (several of them, actually) why Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations of the Smokies. This is a great list for the future. Fun little used walk uphill to start on each of the walks. #arcades #family #kidfriendly #museums #thingstodo. Don't worry, we've put together a list of family friendly easy hikes that are shorter and still packed with views! Difficulty: HardDistance: 11.6 MilesTotal Elevation Gain: 3,359 Feet. Waited until two other hikers came along and the three of us together were intimidating enough to get through. Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse is not only home to the best pancakes on the parkway, but they also have singing and dancing animatronic chickens! Beyond The Lens brings pop culture to Pigeon Forge, with interactive exhibits, selfie spots and fun games to entertain the whole family! The hike starts from Newfound Gap. ", The last mile to Charlies Bunion is a steep, rocky descent. Any time you go to the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge you can be guaranteed one thing: you will laugh till your sides hurt! Theres, By The loop trail is only a half mile long and takes about 30-45 minutes. Contributed by Anna Cook from Stuck on the Go. "url": "https://eaglesridge.com/", "contactType": "Reservations" Be sure to bring plenty of water and food as this hike can become a bit strenuous. No experience is needed. After all, theres a paved road that goes almost to the summit, and from there its just a short 0.5 miles jaunt the rest of the way. Clingman's Dome is the highest elevation in the state. In the beginning, you will start up the hill a bit and go over the mountain with nice views. Learn more about me. This stroller friendly trail is great for all ages. To explore the park, there are over 850 miles of hiking trails to choose from. also saw many families with children who were enjoying the trek. "https://twitter.com/eaglesridgetn/" Kids love to discover how many of the ship's passengers were dogs, stick their hand in 28-degree water and climb the Grand Staircase. a pretty view of the woods and ends at a river and, Nice quiet walk with a little bit of incline. Even the smallest of creeks and rivers produce small cascades. Dollywood. We did make it find in our car with no issues! These look beautiful, and the hike to get to each one sounds beautiful as well! Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge and looking for things to do with a toddler? On the return hike back the trail, about 300 feet from the bottom of the hill, we saw some fresh scat. "https://www.facebook.com/PigeonForgeCabin", If you keep your eyes peeled, you have a good chance of spotting some of the parks rare species of salamanders. The trail is a fairly wide gravel road half of the way then onto a fairly narrow foot path by the pumping station. And it's not just tubing; you also get the chance to play in the snow. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some fantastic hiking trails! . Dog friendly ao thats a plus. Be careful with small children around the cliffs as they offer no protection. Mild up-hills, a couple bridges, but all very kid-friendly! Be careful not to let them climb on the rocks around the waterfall though so they dont slip and fall. Explore one of 17 easy hiking trails in Gatlinburg or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Choose one of the waterfall trails or see the beautiful wildflowers. So, you can feel free to bring your furry friend along with you! Kid-Friendly Hikes. If you're between the ages of 5-12, you can become a Junior Ranger at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The Island in Pigeon Forge is a great place to take toddlers. It has a decent incline, but doesnt require bringing hiking poles normally. "streetAddress": "2740 Florence Dr", These trails were in my list when we visited the Smokies summer last year. Once you cross the second footbridge, youre almost there! All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Laurel Falls is an easy hike that will take you around an hour to complete. During your hike, youll have beautiful views of the river and be able to cross a pedestrian footbridge. Heres a shortlist of the best hikes near Pigeon Forge, TN, the Gateway to the Smokies. Its an easy out and back trail especially if youre looking for wildflowers. Built in 1959, the concrete tower provides a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Explore one of 2 easy hiking trails in Pigeon Forge or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Sign up for our newsletter and deals from our partners. You'll love the lush scenery while you walk along the Oconaluftee River! The cemetery is currently closed. Another reason the Laurel Falls Trail is named a top kid hike is because of the impressive waterfall at the end. We've put together a helpful list Crave Golf Club is more than just a spot for a fun mini golf adventure in Pigeon Forge. For the first mile, you start off ascending through the heavily wooded forest. by Maggie McKneely | Oct 25, 2020 | Hiking, Tennessee, USA | 12 comments, Last Updated on April 21, 2023 by Maggie McKneely. The kids will love interacting with the sweet capuchin monkeys and gorgeous exotic birds. We went with our four young kids and they easily did the hike. The trail starts off paved but quickly turns to gravel, with relatively flat ground throughout the trail. Toy Box Mini Golf. From laser mazes to electronic basketball and touch activated climbing walls, this is a great spot for active and energetic kids full of curiosity. While you're visiting the Smokies you will want to take advantage of our 800 miles of trails for hiking, exploration and plenty of sightseeing. Youll cross a footbridge at about one mile from the trailhead and will come to a fork in the road. Here are the top 5 kid-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge your family is sure to love: 1. It's fast, fun, and the track is about a mile long, so a good long ride. The Elkmont Nature trail is an easy hike that will take you around twenty minutes to complete. Explore this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The trail ends at the cemetery and the school house. These trails are a bit buggy so make sure to pack bug spray for your trip. 5.5miles with these girls was interesting to say the least lol #girlstrip #baskinscreekfalls #tennessee #hiking, A photo posted by Konstandena Brown (@kondon18) on May 17, 2016 at 10:36am PDT. This beautiful waterfall is located only about a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and the trail forks off the beginning of Lumber Ridge Trail. 5. Difficulty: HardDistance: 14.8 MilesTotal Elevation Gain: 3,959 Feet, Related Read: 27 Best Romantic Getaways In Tennessee. Alum Cave Trail. 10 Reasons to Visit Sevier County . Toy Box Mini Golf. #greatsmokymountains #hiking #kidfriendly #outdoors. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the #1 visited national park in the U.S. and home to spectacular scenery, historic buildings and some of natures finest playgrounds. We got there around 8:30 am and took our time up the trail and exploring the school house and back took about 1.5 hours. Laurel Falls Trail is arguably the most popular hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A good portion of the hike parallels a babbling brook. Get those hiking shoes ready and check out one of these great Smoky Mountain hiking trails for kids on your next visit to Pigeon Forge. I have not been to any of these hiking locations and the popular Laurel Falls is one I would definitely give a try since the hike doesnt seem too difficult. Free Things To Do With Kids In Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Bridge over Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, NC b yBilly Hathorn. The Bullhead Trail is a hard hike that will take you around eight and a half hours to complete. The Porters Creek trailhead is located in Greenbrier Cove. The newest attractions opening this year. Easy hike. The joy of ziplining provides a fun-filled, action-packed excursion for not only the kids, but the entire family. The hike totals just over 8 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. 1. Hit the mini-links with some putt-putting or get your adrenaline pumping with some go-cart action. Once you reach the 80-foot waterfall, you will find a bridge that is a great spot for taking family pictures. And youll pass an epic northern ridgeline view. No matter what time of year it is or what the weather is like outside, Pigeon Forge Snow will be an indoor winter wonderland. I usually cant do strenuous hikes with all the camera gear I carry. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is the best if youre looking for a short and simple path to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 2 scenic trails in the Pigeon Forge area. If you do this hike with kids, be sure to keep an eye on them! Learn how your comment data is processed. was hoping to see some wildlife but ZERO chance of that after passing three different groups with five dogs between them. In April, youll be able to see the beautiful wildflowers and in June youll be able to see the Azaleas. 20 + FREE Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN - East TN Family Fun Enjoy tons of cool photo ops, plus exciting exhibits like the "Search for Bigfoot" where you can learn all about the convincing arguments behind the legend and an Alien Egg Pit with a big "alien nest" ball pit to play in. It is not recommended to hike this trail after a recent rainfall because youll be wading in the creek. Step into the upside down mansion in Pigeon Forge! There are some uphill parts and lot of tree roots to watch out for but overall an easy enjoyable trail. Family and dog friendly trail. Its here at Clingmans Dome that the trail reaches its highest elevation. The waterfall has both an upper and lower section . This trail is a great kids hike in the Smoky Mountains for families who are looking for a moderate hike through quiet forests filled with wildflowers. Difficulty: EasyDistance: 2.4 MilesTotal Elevation Gain: 396 Feet. Appalachian Trail: Clingman Cove to Cades Cove. You'll enjoy lots of opportunities to splash your feet in the water along the way. Stroller hikers will often complete the first 2.4 miles of the trail before stopping for lunch at the bridge near the intersection with Huskey Gap. This trail is estimated to be 9.8 km long. Nicole Abbott, The newest attractions opening this year. The Gatlinburg Trail is a great beginner trail so if have little to no experience hiking, youll want this to be your starter hike. Field Trip Destinations in the Pigeon Forge Area March 03, 2023. If youre looking for a peaceful, but challenging hike, you cant pass this one up. So, to help you out, weve selected five trails in the Great Smoky Mountains that are perfect for families hikes! Accessibility: This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. This paved trail is great for families. This isnt a heavily used trail and you wont see much wildlife. Pigeon Forge has tons of kid friendly indoor activities from indoor trampoline courses, aquariums, arcades, and .