4 Day Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary From Atlanta
That Totally Avoids The Crowds
A 4 Day Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary From Atlanta.
If you’re looking for the perfect 4 day Great Smoky Mountains itinerary from Atlanta, this is it!
Not only will you get to see a good selection of things around the park and various towns (and even states!) but we decided on this route to perfectly avoid the crowds that flock to America’s most visited national park.
If you’ve only got 4 days to visit the Smokies, you can retrace my steps starting in Atlanta! I opted for more camping with nature over cities and hotels.
Read: GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – 18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Day 1: Atlanta To Bryson City
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Arrive in Atlanta
When going to the Smokies a lot of people will fly into Atlanta (usually the cheapest airport!) and drive the remaining 3 hours to reach the park.
Hike At Tallulah Gorge State Park
To break up your drive from the Atlanta to the Smokies, stop at the beautiful Tallulah Gorge State Park. It is right along the highway, so it’s an easy place to pull over and get out of the car.
I highly recommend the Hurricane Falls trail. It’s 2.25 miles and is the most popular trail in park! It descends an insane set of stairs down to a suspension bridge then down MORE stairs to Hurricane Falls. The views are great and the hike is a ton of fun.
After your hike, hop in the car and finish your drive!
Camp at Moonshine Creek Campground
This campground is lovely! We would have happily stayed here more nights if we had the time.
It’s fully equipped with private showers, hot running water, private flushable toilets and a plenty of new washing machines and dryers.
But what we loved most was that it is located right along a babbling creek so you’ll fall asleep and wake up to the sound of running water. The campsites have electricity and water as well.
And it’s only 30 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
*Google Maps doesn’t send you the correct way when trying to find this campground so follow the directions on their website listed here.
Depending on how early you arrive at the campground, you could get set up then drive the 38 minutes to Oconaluftee Overlook for golden hour/sunset!
Day 2: Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway
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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Pack up from Moonshine Creek Campground and drive the 30 minutes to the Great Smoky Mountains Train Depot in Bryson City.
This makes for a great day excursion! You can ride the historic steam train through the park roundtrip or ride one way and white water raft back!
Both options leave one hour for lunch before heading back via the train or the river. You will arrive back around 3pm.
Drive To Pisgah Inn Via Blue Ridge Parkway
When you’re done rafting or taking the train back, hop in the car and get ready to drive what Google Maps says will be a 90 minute drive along Blue Ridge Parkway.
Realistically, it will take you longer than 90 minutes by the time you stop at different viewpoints, drive slowly around winding mountain roads and stop to take pictures. Make sure you select the route on Google Maps that sends you via Blue Ridge Parkway for the longest length of time. It’s not the shortest route, Google Maps will try to send you a different way that only has you on the parkway for a few miles at the end.
I found it help to add “Richland Balsam Caney Fork, NC 28786” as a stop in between to make sure the maps were sending me via Blue Ridge Parkway. If you add this stop, it will automatically route you that way.
And you can use this map to plot your route along Blue Ridge Parkway if you plan to go further. It’s a super helpful resource!
Have Dinner & Spend The Night At Pisgah Inn
After you drive along Blue Ridge Parkway (2 hours or so!) arrive at the lovely Pisgah Inn.
Here you’ll be able to eat at a restaurant with unbeatable views of the “Land of Blue Smoke”. Views from the observation deck are marvelous.
I recommend staying the night here but even if they are full, you can get food to go from the cafe and go eat outside on the deck or on a picnic table! The views here do not disappoint.
Day 3: Hike To Clingman’s Dome & Glamp With Under Canvas
Morning Drive Through The Park
Wake up at the beautiful Pisgah Inn and when you’re ready, begin the 2 hour drive to Clingman’s Dome. You will pass through a number of little towns along the way so feel free to stop for lunch, coffee or shopping in Maggie Valley or Waynesville.
Hike To The Clingman’s Dome Observation Tower
The scenic drive up to the parking lot for Clingman’s Dome is lovely but has the potential to leave you feeling a bit car sick. The road curves steeply up the mountain side.
When you reach the top, enjoy the views before embarking on the .5 mile hike up to the observation deck!
The hike is family friendly and paved the whole way but it is very steep!
Drive Newfound Gap- Welcome To Tennessee!
After you hike back down, you can drive along Newfound Gap Road. You can stop at Newfound Gap which is the actual mountain pass situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.
Dinner in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge
Depending how early you wake up and get going, you may have time to do a hike in the park or check out some of this historic buildings. Otherwise you can start heading towards the Under Canvas glamping site for a night of luxury camping.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are nearby and offer a plethora of restaurants. Otherwise you can dine at the cafe with Under Canvas.
Glamp 10 Miles Outside Gatlinburg With Under Canvas
If you like a mix of outdoor and luxury, you are going to love the “glamping” (glamorous camping) company, Under Canvas.
It’s definitely more of a splurge than regular camping but the entire set up is very charming.
But if you want to camp another night to save money, there are plenty of regular campsites nearby in Gatlinburg to choose from.
Read: GLAMPING AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WITH UNDER CANVAS
Day 4: Hike, Cave’s Cod, Stop in Cherokee, Drive Back To Atlanta
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Wake up and join in a yoga class at Under Canvas or go for one of the recommended hikes in the park.
Top hiking recommendations from Under Canvas Staff:
- Alum Cave
- Andrews Bald
- Grotto Falls
- Rainbow Falls
- Abraham Falls
- Laurel Falls
Drive Cades Cove
Depending on your hike you could also drive the beloved 11-mile, one-way loop in the park known as Cades Cove. It passes by historic buildings, wildlife and scenic valleys. You’ll need two to four hours to drive this route, it’s extremely popular. If you’re visiting on a busy weekend, you may want to pass on this drive for a hike instead.
Cherokee For Dinner
After your hike, begin heading back to Atlanta via Cherokee, a town on the reservation home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation.
Nearby at Oconaluftee Indian Village, the 18th-century Cherokee lifestyle is preserved and presented through live demonstrations.
You can also visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
Drive Back To Atlanta
Make your way back to Atlanta to wrap up your trip!
From Cherokee, North Carolina it is a 2 hour and 45 minute drive to Atlanta.
There is so much to do and do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I hope this gives you a great starting point to begin planning your trip!
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4 Day Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary From Atlanta
Honestly so helpful! Thanks!
Of course! Thanks for your support 🙂
This is so helpful. Planning my trip soon. Thanks!
I’m so glad you found it helpful! Have a great trip 🙂