Top Gatlinburg Half-day Tours

Since you’re probably not traveling with a park ranger in your car, this private audio tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lets you discover the history of spots like Cades Cove, plus get intel on the best hiking trails, overlooks, and waterfalls. Use it only when you need, traveling at your pace—with a pro in your pocket.

Skip the hassle of following a map and focus your attention on the sweeping views with this scenic driving tour through the Great Smoky Mountains. Head to the highest elevations as you traverse the Crest of the Smokies with your driver-guide, learning about the area’s history and ecosystem in the North Carolina side of the national park. Stop at the most dazzling overlooks, including Clingmans Dome—the park's highest point.

The Great Smoky Mountains boast scenic views and this hiking tour takes you on a journey to find them. Join a small group and traverse through the lush landscapes to discover several streams, cascades, and creeks. Each season of the year puts on a different show for hikers so there's always something to enjoy. This is a moderately adventurous hike that gains elevation and climbs over downed trees.

This tour focuses on Cades Cove and the 11-mile loop road that circles the valley. Along the way we'll stop at several historic buildings and scenic vistas as we learn about the mountaineers and moonshiners that called this place home. Historic buildings include a cabin built in 1822, a cemetery with the graves of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 veterans, and a working grist mill. And of course we'll keep our eyes open for wildlife including deer, turkeys, bears, and coyotes. Most stops on the tour require limited or no walking, but two stops include a half mile walk on pavement. Bring lunch or buy lunches through Smoky Mountain Guides

Discover a bygone era on a 3-hour tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hear stories about the Cherokee people and settlers that lived and worked in the mountains, and learn how they survived off the land. See a small family cemetery, 19th-century barn and an old fashioned spring house, then get a glimpse of settlers’ daily lives in a small restored cabin. Enjoy a relaxed nature walk with a guide that brings the Smoky Mountains’ distinctive wildlife, plants and geology to life at every turn.

Combine the convenience of a guided tour with the freedom of independent travel with this self-guided driving tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Download the tour onto your phone and learn about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and more. See several of the park's best spots, such as Clingman's Dome and Rainbow Falls. Note: does not include entrance to the park or attractions.

This tour travels over the crest of the Smokies from Tennessee into North Carolina. Along the way we'll experience one of the most scenic roads in the Southeast along with several panoramic mountain vistas. When we arrive in the Oconaluftee Valley we'll visit historic structures learning about the culture of the native Cherokee and European-descended mountaineers. While exploring this historic valley, we'll keep an eye out for elk. The largest animal in the Smokies, they were reintroduced by the park service in 2001.

The River Remembers is an easy guided walk in the more quiet section of the Smokies, along a cascading mountain stream where nature and history meet. This relaxed Smoky Mountain tour follows an old roadbed through forest beauty, seasonal wildflowers, historic cabins, old rock walls, a springhouse, and the traces of families who once lived in these mountains. This is more than a history walk. It is a gentle riverside hike with moving water, forest sounds, mountain plants, and meaningful stories woven together by an experienced guide. It’s a strong introduction to the Smokies for guests who want scenery, interpretation, and a relaxed pace. Best for: History lovers, families, seniors, beginners, wildflower lovers, and guests who want an easy Smoky Mountain walk with pristine streams, nature and cultural history. Duration: 3 Hours | Difficulty: Easy | Mileage: 2.5 | Elevation Change: 347' | Ages: All Meeting Location: Greenbrier Parking Area 1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Discover Gatlinburg distilleries and wineries on this guided moonshine and wine tasting walking tour with a small group. Enjoy VIP treatment and go behind the scenes at a working distillery to learn how moonshine is traditionally distilled. You'll try plenty of samples along the way, too, including a moonshine cocktail, and learn about the history of moonshine.

For the curious traveler who wants more from their travels, this fall foliage tour can’t be beat. Following your guide—a biologist, ecologist, or park ranger—you’ll get a deeper understanding of this gorgeous area, walking or hiking through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Get ready to learn, have fun, and scout out some brilliant autumn color and incredible Smoky Mountain views.

Discover a different side of Gatlinburg on this haunted ghost walking tour. Learn all about the spooky history of this town during this nighttime tour, during which you’ll look for supernatural spirits and possibly communicate with the local "residents" yourself using ghost hunting equipment.

Rather than exploring an unfamiliar environemnt on your own, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a small-group hike that takes you deep into the forest and along a pristine mountain river. You'll also see two waterfalls and learn all about the flora and fauna from your naturalist guide.