Top 4 Baby Friendly Smoky Mountains Hiking Trails

Thinking about introducing your baby to nature on a hike in the Smoky Mountains? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has hiking trails of different difficulties and lengths, so taking your little one along and finding things to do in the area isn’t as challenging as you might think. To help find trails that can easily accommodate parents with baby carriers and newly walking toddlers, we’ve compiled a list of easy and short hiking trails. Here are the top 4 baby friendly Smoky Mountain hiking trails:

1. Gatlinburg Trail

A great family friendly trail in the Smokies is the Gatlinburg Trail. Families with toddlers will enjoy this piece of the Smoky Mountains hiking trails because it is relatively flat and provides plenty of fun experiences. You’ll hike alongside the river, across footbridges, and through the woods where you might see some small animals along the way. Your family will love walking through the woods along the Gatlinburg Trail.

2. Laurel Falls

Less than 3 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are paved, and this trail is the longest one. As one of the top baby-friendly Smoky Mountains hiking trails, Laurel Falls is perfect for families to explore. At 2.6 miles, Laurel Falls is considered an easy trail. You’ll hike up the mountain and get beautiful wooded views and see some mountain views between the trees. At the end of the hike, you’ll come up on the beautiful 80-foot-tall waterfall. Don’t forget to take pictures in front of the falls as a family!

3. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is only a 0.5 mile loop, so visitors who want level ground and a short walk will enjoy this trail. This trail is the only one in the national park that is easy for those in wheelchairs, so anyone can join in to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Families with strollers or newly walking toddlers can stroll at a slower pace, and this trail is filled with beautiful spots for photos. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is popular for bird watching and enjoying a short stroll through the mountains.

4. Little Brier Gap Trail

At only 1.4 miles, Little Brier Gap Trail packs as much history into such a short distance. On this trail, families will pass the Little Greenbrier School and the Walker Sisters’ farm and cabin. Built in the mid-1800s, the cabin, springhouse, and corn crib are still on site and an enjoyable history lesson for visiting hikers. This trail is ideal for families who would like to see a historical homestead while on a short and easy hike. Plus, take your kids on a picnic in the national park by eating in the picnic area at Metcalf Bottoms near this trail!

If you want to explore the Great Smoky Mountains with your child, there’s no better trails than these! You can stay near the national park when you book one of our cabins! Look through our cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and plan your trip today!