Hi there!
So in general, you don’t really need a whole lot in order to go hiking.
And hiking is a great FREE activity in the Smoky Mountains!
That said, the Smoky Mountains may be a little different from your casual hike in your local park.
Among other things, this is because almost all of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains have HILLS!
They are quite literally in the mountains and you are often going UP to get to your destination. So most hikes require some level of effort.
So if you are looking to do some hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is best to be prepared!
I went hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in September. What the weather will be like from year to year can vary (which means the colors can vary!), but this is what it was like for me!
So, what do you REALLY need for hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?!
What are the top 3 things that could be considered the most important for hiking in the Smoky Mountains?!
- Hiking shoes or trail running shoes
- Hiking poles
- WATER and SNACKS!
There are actual many more things that would be considered to be very good to pack along for your Smoky Mountains day hike, but to get you started, these will be among the best to start thinking about!
More details below!
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What to pack for Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Here are some things to consider packing for a Smoky Mountains vacation when hiking is a part of your itinerary.
This is for hiking in the Smoky Mountains that includes these hiking trails, but not limited to:
- The best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains
- Hiking to Alum Cave Bluffs
- Hiking in the Mt LeConte summit area
- Hiking to the Clingman’s Dome summit
- Hiking to Andrew’s Bald
There are affiliate links below to partner websites that take you away to go shopping for the Smoky Mountains! This means I may earn a commission, including as an Amazon Associate.
Hiking shoes or trail running shoes
What are the best shoes to wear for hiking in the Smoky Mountains?!
Side note! Check the reviews at partner websites included below!
How to save money on your trip to the Smoky Mountains
I use hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cabins.
/end side note
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If you’ll be hiking in the Smoky Mountains, it would be very good if you are wearing appropriate shoes.
What are appropriate shoes?!
Hiking shoes would be GREAT.
A lot of the trails in the Smoky Mountains are rocky, and among other things, hiking shoes will have thicker soles than your normal shoes.
This means hiking shoes will be better suited for the rugged terrain and you won’t feel those rocks as much on the bottom of your feet as you’re walking.
There are a ton of waterfalls hikes in the Smoky Mountains, and chances are you have plans for 1 or 2 of them!
There are some waterfalls hikes that may also have small water crossings, and the slightly water resistant nature of hiking shoes can be helpful too.
Your shoes (and socks!) have a better chance of remaining dry at the end of the day so your shoes can be ready for the next day’s hike!
And you don’t have to worry about drying them!
There are “hiking shoes” and “hiking boots.” The hiking boots will generally be a little higher and cover your ankles.
Merrell is a quality hiking shoe brand:
But, if you don’t want to go for footwear that’s as “heavy duty” and looking for something that would be more suitable to wear for a day out and about too, then trail running shoes can be a good alternative.
Salomon is a quality trail running shoe brand:
No matter what shoes you buy, be sure to break them in well before you Smoky Mountains trip!
You don’t want to discover they aren’t the right fit during your “big” hike in the Smoky Mountains!
Once you buy your new shoes, wear them as you walk around the neighborhood, when you go to the grocery store, and other quick trips you have!
It’s important to have good footwear that fit your feet!
Also why it’s a good reason to go for the high quality shoe brands!
Hiking poles (aka trekking poles)
That thing about most if not all of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains having hills.
You are often climbing UP the mountain.
And hills can be tiring!
Hiking poles can really make them less tiring and you will likely be VERY happy to have this assistance.
For some people, this is not an exaggeration!
You also won’t be jealous when you see someone on the trail with hiking poles!
Joke heard on the trail: I’ll pay you $200 for that hiking pole!
Hiking poles will make it feel easier when you’re hiking up the trail, and they can help to relieve stress on your knees when you’re going down the trail.
Black Diamond is a good quality hiking pole brand and has the price to go with it:
There are cheaper hiking poles too.
It’s best to buy a set of 2.
First aid kit
A basic first aid kit in your hiking daypack is better than nothing! Better to have more supplies in the car just in case.
There are many opportunities on the trail in the Smokies to slip and fall and cut yourself up.
Watch your step! Especially when you’re stepping out of the way to let others pass.
I actually saw the aftermath of someone who stumbled down a mountainside having taken the wrong step to step out of the way!!! (It wasn’t terribly steep and he was climbing back up all bruised up and bleeding. He seemed otherwise okay.)
I have taken this day tripper first aid kit or this ultralight first aid kit.
Headlamp
This is another “just in case” item. You may PLAN to be off the trails and back to your car before it gets dark, but you never know what may happen!
Pack along a small flashlight or headlamp just in case!
Headlamps are nice because it allows you to be hands-free. This is a nice camping item to have too if you will be camping in the Smoky Mountains.
The headlamp I pack for my day hikes is a simple energizer headlamp.
Walkie talkie
This Osprey backpack has a spot to clip on a walkie talkie.
Now, this may not work in practicality as you always want it to, because it does require you being close enough to your group member.
You can test it out at home first to see how far you can still hear other. In the Smoky Mountains, you also do have trees that can interfere with the range.
It did work for me in Cades Cove though when my dad and I were off doing separate things! I had this walkie talkie.
Cold weather
No matter the temperature of when you start your hike, it can be a good idea to pack an extra layer or 2 in your backpack in case you end up out later than you expect and you start to get cold. (Especially if you’re hiking to higher elevation… like the hike to Clingman’s Dome!)
You may also consider sticking some hand warmers in your backpack too.
While they are called “hand” warmers you can place (and hold) them anywhere on your body.
They are small packets and you just shake to activate the heat! It lasts for a few hours.
I used these hand warmers when camping in the Smoky Mountains in September and October too! I slept with it in my sleeping bag.
And another “just in case” for if among the worst thing happens and you are lost overnight in the mountains, it can be good to have some sort of way to start a fire like with a fire starter kit and/or by packing some matches. For the same reason, you may also consider packing an emergency blanket.
To be dramatic, getting lost in the Smoky Mountains and resulting in death is a real thing. Read the story of someone dying from hypothermia in the Smoky Mountains.
Rainy weather
It is also good to be prepared in case it starts raining out on your hike. You can pack a cheapo lightweight poncho or a light rain jacket.
Map
It can be good to have a paper map of the Smoky Mountains. (And to not just rely on your phone.) In terms of packing this in your daypack when you go out for your hike, this would be another “just in case” item, but this National Geographic Smoky Mountains map can work as a great planning map too! As you are doing your research and figuring out where you want to go, you can mark it on the map. (Use stickers!) This can help you to better plan your days by region of the national park.
WATER and SNACKS!
Don’t go for a 2-3 hour hike empty-handed! Even for shorter hikes it’s best to bring along water and snacks, because you never know if something will keep you out on the trail longer! Maybe you see a sign when you’re on the trail and decide to go a little further, or maybe you take a wrong turn and end up taking longer to get back!
You may also consider packing along a light picnic lunch so you can eat with views! Many waterfalls have rocks in front of them that can make for good seating areas and there are people who will use it as a resting spot and/or to eat.
Also, keep gallon water jugs in the car for easy refill of your water bottle. This will also allow you to have easier access to water, as there really aren’t places to buy or refill water near the vast majority of trailheads.
There are many streams and water sources in the Smoky Mountains, but the National Park Service says to treat the water before you drink it. So if you want to carry an “emergency” item, then go for a steripen or a lifestraw. (And know how to use it before you leave for your trip!)
The daypack
Osprey is a quality hiking backpacking brand, and an ideal size for a day hike backpack can be 9 liters or 20 liters.
10L daypack:
20L daypack:
And that’s a bit about packing for your Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip!
These are just a few things to start thinking about for hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
See more things to do:
- Stops to make on the drive from Gatlinburg to Clingman’s Dome
- Stop to make on the drive from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove
- Waterfalls hikes in the Smoky Mountains
- The big list of things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
HAPPY HIKING IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS!
Here are more ideas for a few days in the Smoky Mountains!
More of the best things that the Smoky Mountains is known for is hiking!If you're looking for just one solid day hike in the Smoky Mountains, there's the Mount LeConte hike. Most often this is done as a day hike, but you can also stay overnight near the Mount LeConte summit! There is the LeConte Lodge, which claims to be the highest guest lodge in the eastern part of the United States! (It does book up!)
There are also lots more hikes that come with mountain views. See more about some of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
There are also a lot of hikes to waterfalls. See more about the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
You can also go camping in the mountains. See more about the best campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (No showers in the national park, though!)
Cost to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There is no national park entry fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but as of 2023, there is a parking fee.You'll need a parking pass when you go to the Smoky Mountains.
You can wait until you arrive to buy the parking pass, or you can buy it online before you go at recreation.gov.
Depending on how many days you will be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the cost of parking will be $5 or $15 per vehicle.
Plan out your time in the Smoky Mountains!
Some of the best known things in Great Smoky Mountains National Park include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail!For Clingmans Dome, you can get great views from the parking lot, or you can hike up to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains! (No matter what, you do need weather on your side, though! For me, 3rd time was the charm at Clingmans Dome!) See more about Clingmans Dome.
For Cades Cove, it's all about the slow-going Cades Cove Loop Road! You can drive it, bike it, or walk it! You can make stops to walk inside historic cabins, see a historic mill, and even do a waterfall hike! See more about Cades Cove.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also a slow-going road that you drive and make stops along the way, including quiet stops along a creek or waterfalls hikes. See more about the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
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