Smoky Mountains Road Trip Guide: 6 Days in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Beyond
By Jeff Lowe • February 19, 2026
The mountains of East Tennessee are made for a road trip. Over the course of six days, you can wind through scenic byways, chase waterfalls, explore charming towns, and hike trails that range from gentle strolls to panoramic summit climbs. From lively mountain gateways to peaceful valleys tucked deep inside the forest, this region offers a mix of energy and quiet that’s surprisingly balanced.
Colleen and I have made several trips through Tennessee over the years — romantic getaways, family adventures, quick overnight stops — and each one has felt a little different. That’s part of the appeal. You can lean into the fun, touristy buzz of town one day and wake up the next morning to birdsong and mist rising over the ridgelines.
If you’re planning a Tennessee mountains road trip, here’s a six-day itinerary that blends waterfalls, towns, and trails into one memorable journey.
Day 1: Chattanooga & Lookout Mountain Views
Start your adventure in Chattanooga, a city that hugs the Tennessee River and sits right at the foothills of the mountains. It’s a fantastic launch point for an East Tennessee itinerary.
Head straight for Lookout Mountain. The views alone are worth the climb, but you can also visit Ruby Falls — an underground waterfall inside a cave. It’s a little touristy, sure. But that’s part of the fun.
Don’t Miss:
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Sunset views from Point Park
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A walk along the Tennessee Riverwalk
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Rock City Gardens (just across the state line)
Spend the night in Chattanooga and enjoy dinner downtown. Tomorrow, you head deeper into waterfall country.
Day 2: Waterfalls at Fall Creek Falls
Drive about two hours north to Fall Creek Falls State Park — home to one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.
This park is pure Tennessee wilderness. Forested trails, dramatic gorges, swinging bridges, and multiple waterfalls all in one place.
You can:
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Hike to the base of Fall Creek Falls (strenuous but worth it)
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Take the easier overlook trail for wide-angle views
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Explore Cane Creek Falls and Rockhouse Falls
The park has a lodge and cabins if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, nearby Cookeville makes a convenient stop with plenty of hotel options.
It’s a quieter, more nature-focused day before the energy ramps up tomorrow.
Day 3: Gatlinburg & the Great Smoky Mountains
Today you arrive in the heart of the Smokies: Gatlinburg.
Colleen and I once did a romantic trip here, just the two of us. And honestly? We loved the touristy nature of Gatlinburg. The neon lights, pancake houses, quirky museums, chairlifts climbing the hills — it all has this mountain-town-meets-carnival feel. It’s unapologetically fun.
From Gatlinburg, enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park.
Drive up to Clingmans Dome for sweeping 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see for miles across Tennessee and North Carolina.
Top Smoky Mountains Stops:
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Laurel Falls (easy waterfall hike)
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Newfound Gap Road scenic drive
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Alum Cave Trail (moderate hike with dramatic views)
Spend the evening back in Gatlinburg. Walk the Parkway, grab ice cream, and just enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes you don’t need a quiet cabin — sometimes you want lights and laughter.
Day 4: Pigeon Forge & Family Fun
A short drive brings you to Pigeon Forge — and if Gatlinburg is lively, Pigeon Forge is full-on entertainment.
We’ve made overnight stops here on family trips, and there’s never been a shortage of things to do. Our kids especially loved visiting the Titanic Museum. It’s surprisingly immersive and well done — not just a quick walkthrough, but an experience where you learn individual passenger stories. It stuck with them long after we left.
Other popular attractions include:
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Dollywood
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The Island entertainment complex
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Dinner shows and mountain coasters
This is the day to embrace the fun. Go ride something. Eat funnel cake. Lean into it.
Day 5: Cades Cove & Townsend’s Quiet Side
After the buzz of Pigeon Forge, slow things down with a visit to Cades Cove.
This 11-mile scenic loop is one of the most beautiful drives in the Smokies. Wildlife sightings are common — deer, wild turkeys, and sometimes even black bears.
You can:
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Bike the loop early in the morning
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Stop at preserved cabins and churches
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Hike to Abrams Falls
Nearby Townsend calls itself the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” and it truly feels different from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Fewer crowds. More quiet riverside cabins. Slower mornings.
This contrast is one of my favorite parts of a Tennessee mountains road trip. You can have energy and solitude within a 30-minute drive.
Day 6: Roaring Fork & High Elevations
For your final day, explore the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a beautiful one-way loop just outside Gatlinburg.
It’s a narrow, winding road that feels tucked away from everything. Along the route, you’ll find:
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Historic log cabins
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Small waterfalls
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Trailheads to Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls
If you want one more panoramic mountain moment before heading home, drive northeast toward Roan Mountain. In late spring, the rhododendrons bloom in wild bursts of pink and purple. Even without blooms, the high-elevation views are spectacular.
It’s a peaceful way to end the journey.
When to Take a Tennessee Mountains Road Trip
The Smokies are beautiful year-round, but here’s how the seasons stack up:
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Spring: Waterfalls are strongest. Wildflowers bloom.
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Summer: Lush greenery, but heavier crowds.
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Fall: Peak foliage — especially October.
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Winter: Fewer tourists and occasional snowy magic.
Fall is hard to beat if you’re chasing classic Smoky Mountains scenery.
Planning Tips for Your East Tennessee Itinerary
A few practical notes:
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Book Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge lodging early during peak season.
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The national park has no entrance fee, but parking tags are required.
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Cell service can be spotty inside the mountains.
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Mix busy days with quieter ones — it keeps the trip balanced.
And don’t underestimate drive times. Mountain roads are scenic but slower.
The Best Part of a Smoky Mountains Road Trip
What makes this Tennessee mountains road trip so rewarding isn’t just the waterfalls or the views — though you’ll have plenty of both. It’s the variety.
You can wake up in a peaceful cabin, spend the afternoon hiking to a waterfall, and finish the night walking through bright lights and family attractions. Colleen and I have experienced both sides — the romantic Gatlinburg evenings and the laughter-filled family stops in Pigeon Forge — and honestly, that mix is what keeps pulling us back.
Six days gives you just enough time to feel immersed without rushing. And by the end, you’ll understand why so many people return to the Smokies again and again.