Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hiking, Camping, Scenic Drives

From majestic mountaintops to lush forests and untouched wilderness, experience the best of the Smokies with Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Inside you'll find:

• Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas ranging from one day in the park to a week-long trip
• The best hikes in the Great Smokies: Detailed hike descriptions with mileage, duration, elevation gains, and difficulty ratings, plus some individual trail maps and options for backpackers
• Experience the outdoors: Cruise along Newfound Gap Road for epic views from scenic overlooks and watch "smoky" mists rise up through the valleys. Spot local wildlife like 700-pound elk, black bears, and vast herds of white-tailed deer. Savor the refreshing solitude of a night camping under the stars or enjoy a twinkling light show from Elkmont's synchronous fireflies. Trek a segment of the Appalachian Trail, wander through remnants of the region's historic settlements, or try your hand at fly-fishing
• Take a break: Unwind after a day of adventure at one of the trendy craft breweries that earned Asheville the title of "Beer City USA." Head to Dollywood for square-dancing, catch a show, or glide down the lazy river at Splash Country. Soak in the sweet sounds of Tennessee's music scene, sample some fiery moonshine, or shop for Appalachian folk art
• How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, and tours
• Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, and more, both inside and outside the park
• Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Expertise and know-how: Explore the park with nature lover and Smoky Mountains expert Jason Frye

Find your adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Moon.

Exploring more of the area? Check out Moon North Carolina and Moon Tennessee. Road-tripping? Try Moon Drive & Hike Appalachian Trail or Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell--and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.


Author: Jason Frye,Moon Travel Guides
Publisher: Moon Travel
Published: 03/10/2026
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 7.52h x 5.64w x 0.57d
ISBN: 9798886471526

About the Author
Though Jason Frye calls the coast of North Carolina home, his heart is with the mountains. Born and raised in the rugged Appalachian foothills in southern West Virginia, he developed an affinity for hiking and exploring the woods, coves, and hollows of the hills. His family vacationed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

His love for this landscape deepens with each visit. Jason and his wife Lauren spend as much time as possible exploring the outdoors: wandering the woods and wilds, kayaking the marshes and waterways, and even hang gliding.

Jason is the author of several Moon guidebooks, including Moon North Carolina and Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip. He also contributes to Salt magazine, AAA Go!, Our State and Our State Eats food blog, the Wilmington StarNews, where he is a features contributor and dining critic, the Raleigh News and Observer, the Charlotte Observer, the blog of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, and a number of other print and online publications.