summary
- North Carolina offers some amazing hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains with no entrance fees.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers convenient parking and nature walks.
- Experience a peaceful hike on uncrowded, dog-friendly trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Hiking is a popular pastime in the southeastern United States, and North Carolina has some amazing mountains that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. A visit to Western North Carolina will put you at the foothills of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. North Carolina is a state with plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, so if you love hiking, fishing, rafting or mountain biking, it's the perfect place to do so.
If you're looking for great hiking trails in North Carolina, you'll probably be drawn to the western edge. With many cities located near an abundance of trails, the state is perfect for exploring on foot. One of the jewels of Western North Carolina is undoubtedly Smoky Mountain National Park. This iconic destination is becoming more and more popular, attracting more and more visitors each year, which is a testament to the park's pristine natural beauty. But that's not all North Carolina's beautiful region has to offer. The Blue Ridge Mountains also offer unforgettable, scenic hikes that are just as idyllic and inspiring as those in the national parks.
Whether you're visiting or living in the state, you might be wondering where to hike. There are many factors to consider when deciding which area is best for hiking. Depending on who you're traveling with, what you're looking for, and how long you plan to stay, there may be an area that's right for you. Let's talk about what both areas have to offer and where you can find the hike you're looking for in Western North Carolina.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free
There is no entrance fee to this famous national park, making all the trails easily accessible.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is affordable to visit because admission is free, which means you can enjoy the trails without paying expensive entrance fees, shorter lines and easier access to nature.
However, parking does cost money. Visitors who plan to spend more than 10 minutes in the parking lot must pay a small parking fee of $5 per day. This fee is paid at the entrance and you will receive a parking tag that allows you to park in any parking lot in the park. This very reasonable fee makes it easy to experience all the wonders of hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
Parking at trailheads can be a challenge, especially in the off-the-grid driving of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many of the trailheads are on unpaved roads that can lead to unexpected road closures along the way. Affordable, well-maintained parking and a clearly communicated road closure system make it easy to access amazing trails, no matter what type of vehicle you're driving.
There are several parking pass options available. You can purchase a day pass for $5, a week pass for $15, or an annual pass for $40. Depending on how long and how often you plan on visiting, you can save money by purchasing a longer-term parking pass.
Easy-to-access campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains
If you want to spend a night under the stars, camping within the national park is easy and accessible.
Cades Cove Campground
Camping is easy when you stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park has plenty of well-established campgrounds and RV facilities with affordable rates. All campgrounds have flush toilets, making the stay comfortable for most campers.
There are also food storage lockers to store food so bears and other wildlife don't smell it and eat it – an important safety measure when camping on the mountain as the wildlife population is quite large.
Camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains can be a bit tricky. There are less developed, more scenic campgrounds. Finding a good place to stay in the woods can be more complicated. Backcountry camping opportunities are certainly plentiful, but they are more suited to experienced backpackers. Backcountry camping requires you to bring all your own equipment, hang your food properly in trees, and follow all seven principles of Leave No Trace.
For those who are not ready to do this, camping in the Great Smoky Mountains is definitely a good option.
What is the most memorable, must-do hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
This national park is home to a ton of great hiking trails, but if you're looking for the best ones to visit, there are a few that stand out in particular.
hiking: |
distance: |
Difficulty: |
Why we love it: |
---|---|---|---|
Peregrine Peak via the Alum Cave Bluff Trail |
4.5 miles |
Moderate |
This is a great hike, even for beginners, that ends with the Alm Caves and beautiful, expansive views. |
Laurel Falls Trail |
2.4 miles |
easy |
An easy and accessible hike, beautiful waterfall. |
Mount Kamera |
11.1 miles |
difficult |
A challenging trail with very spectacular views. Vast 360 degree views of beautiful mountains. |
Charlie's Bunion |
8 miles |
Moderate |
In spring there are beautiful wildflowers in bloom and amazing views of the mountains. It's challenging and rewarding. |
Porters Creek |
7 miles |
Moderate |
A great family friendly trail along the creek with lots to keep the kids entertained – cool and shady, perfect for the warmer months. |
![A young girl enjoys the mountain views from Buzzard's Roost Overlook in Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee](https://static1.thetravelimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/resized-image-promo-2024-05-16t234545-399.jpeg)
7 State Park Alternatives to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Explore this charming state park that offers breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures as an alternative to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Do you enjoy hiking with your dog? The Blue Ridge Mountains are perfect for you!
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on most trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Man hiking with dog
If you're planning on hiking with your four-legged friend, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a better option. Most mountain hikes, except for Smoky Mountain National Park, are dog-friendly, so you can bring your dog with you without any issues.
When it comes to the Great Smoky Mountains, your puppy can Strictly speaking, dogs are not allowed in the park. They are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and along the roads as long as they are kept on a leash at all times. Two trails allow dogs, the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail, but dogs are prohibited on all other trails, which means you can't bring your dog on any of the park's more popular hiking trails.
Least Crowded Trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains
If solitude is what you're looking for, it's easy to find in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with trails galore.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Over the past decade, visitor numbers have grown rapidly. In 2023 alone, the park saw 13,297,647 visitors and campers.
The park has many trails, but the more popular ones will undoubtedly get busy. Popular hikes like Peregrine Peak, Clingmans Dome, and Charlie Bunion see large crowds during peak season. Less popular or more challenging trails may be quieter, but the park can still get busy.
North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains are vast and largely deserted, even on a good day. Discover endless pockets of silence in the black balsam mountains off the Blue Ridge Parkway or find a secluded swimming hole hidden deep in Pisgah National Forest.
The Blue Ridge Mountains have some great places with less crowded trails, and if you're looking for an underrated town further north, check out the beautiful, outdoorsy town of Boone. This town's location further north gives you access to a variety of hiking opportunities in the Blue Ridge Mountains that you won't find in Smoky Mountain National Park.
A little further south are wonderful small towns like Black Mountain and Burnsville, located along Pisgah National Forest, a vast recreation area with secluded and beautiful hiking trails.