Visiting The Great Smoky Mountains For The Special Needs Mom
The Mathe crew love the outdoors so we decided to go to the Smoky Mountains for a family vacation. We stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There are a ton of things to do here. It's quite the family friendly destination.
Where Is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Southeastern United States. It straddles the borders between North Carolina and Tennessee. There are three entrances to the park located in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.
When To Visit The Great Smoky Mountains?
The best time to visit The Great Smoky Mountains would be from May to October. If you go at the beginning of May the weather may not be quite as nice and perhaps a little cooler, but it wouldn’t be as busy either. The summer and autumn months are peak times for visitors.
Summer brings large crowds because kids are on summer break, the weather is nice for hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures, and the synchronous fireflies are a draw. Autumn of course attracts a lot of people who want to appreciate the fabulous fall foliage.
The Great Smoky Mountains Lodging
We decided to rent a home through Vrbo rather than stay in a hotel. It's not uncommon for us to prefer this type of lodging because of Max.
Renting a home tends to be a calmer environment which usually means a more regulated Max. Renting a home also gives us easy access to a kitchen allowing us to save money on meals. With a family of 5 eating out all the time can get expensive REALLY fast. After a full day of vacationing fun the loud and noisy environment of a restaurant can be difficult for Max too.
We chose a home that was near the Trolley line. We could easily walk to the Trolley stop so we didn't have to worry about parking when we wanted to go to downtown Gatlinburg.
If you want to camp in the Smoky Mountains National Park there are several campgrounds to choose from but only three have accessible units. Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont are the three campgrounds with accessible units.
Elkmont is seasonal while Smokemont and Cades Cove are open year round. Accessible sites are generally level, located adjacent to accessible restrooms and the campsites are modified with paving and specialized tables and fire grills.
The Mathe crew enjoying vacation at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There is no entrance fee to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but starting March 1, 2023 there is a new parking pass requirement required for all visitors. When we visited this was not in effect.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park New Parking Pass Requirement
This information is directly from the National Park Service website regarding the new parking pass requirement.
Three tag durations will be available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
Daily - $5
Weekly - $15
Annual - $40
Parking tags will not be replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
Each tag will be valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
Parking tags will be available for purchase both online and onsite.
Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle will be required. Digital representations will not be accepted.
Parking tags will not be location-specific. A parking tag will be required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
Parking tags will not be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
Interagency passes (senior, access, etc.) will not be accepted in lieu of a parking tag.
If you have an America the Beautiful Access Pass you will still need to buy a parking pass UNLESS you have a vehicle with a disabled parking placard or license plate.
To buy a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass you have options. You can…
Buy one at an in person sales location
Buy one at an automated fee machine
America The Beautiful Access Pass
Do you know about the America The Beautiful Access Pass?
This pass covers entrance fees to all of the national parks and national wildlife refuges and standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands as well as lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
It covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas or up to four adults at sites that charge per person.
There are three ways you can get one. You can go in person to a federal recreation site, you can order online at the USGS store, or you can use an application form and send it via mail.
We received our pass a few years ago when we went to Acadia National Park in Maine. In order to qualify you have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a disability. You must provide documentation.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Maps
At the Great Smoky Mountains National Park all four visitor centers have restrooms and water fountains.
There are park maps available to download and they’re also available in the visitors center.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Map
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trail Map
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a popular attraction at the Smoky Mountains. It’s an 11-mile, one-way loop road that circles the cove surrounded by mountains.
It’s a great place to sight see the beautiful landscape and offers the best opportunity to view wildlife. It also has the most historic buildings of any area in the park.
Allow two to four hours to tour Cades Cove. If you want to walk some of the trails plan for longer. The traffic is quite heavy during the summer and fall and on weekends. On Wednesdays during peak tourist season the loop is closed to motorists to allow for bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is another popular attraction. It is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. It’s seven miles to the end of Clingmans Dome Road where it ends in a parking area. From there it’s a 0.5 mile hike to the summit where there’s an observation tower.
The trail is paved but steep. According to the Smoky Mountains website the trail is too steep for wheelchairs but a stroller would probably be ok. I have heard people with motorized wheelchairs are able to do it just fine if the weather is nice and there’s no rain or ice on the trail, but Mama Bear that’s for you to decide!
No dogs or bicycles are allowed and it’s recommended to dress in layers as it can be quite a bit cooler at the summit.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Trails For The Special Needs Mom
There are so many great trails to explore in the Smoky Mountains! Here are a few that the Mathe crew explored.
The Little River Trail
This is more of a walking trail than a hiking trail. We saw people on the trail in flip flops and it looked like they were doing fine.
Little River trail is an old logging road now hiking trail and it's very easy to walk. You can turn around whenever you would like. We hiked to Cucumber Gap Trail Junction which made it a 5 mile hike (2.5 miles there and back) and it took us about 3 hours.
Max did fine as well as our Nana and Papa Mathe who are both in their 70s. If you wanted to continue to the end of the trail it would be a total of 12 miles roundtrip.
This trail follows along a small river (thus the name) which is very pretty. It was very relaxing to hear the water tumbling over the rocks and there are areas you can access the Little River and explore.
Most of the trail is in the shade due to trees on either side. There are tree roots and rocks in the trail in places so if a child has low vision you do need to be mindful. It's a gradual incline and as I said Max had no problems with this trail.
There is a "troll bridge" on a small path off the main trail that is fun to explore. If you're walking towards Cucumber Gap Trail Junction the path will be on your right.
Max wanted to pretend to be Spider Man and insisted on a picture on the bridge striking a "Spider Man" pose!
There are several small paths that shoot out from the main trail that are fun to explore. We were told by other hikers that a couple of Copperhead snakes had been seen off the trail earlier so definitely be on the lookout. We didn’t see anything dangerous. We did see millipedes, butterflies, snails, and large slugs!
The Troll Bridge found off the Little River Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Rainbow Falls Trail
Max was a total trooper for this trail because it was tough for him. The hike up to the falls is uphill pretty much the entire way. There are a lot of tree roots and rocks in the trail making it very uneven and there were times the trail was quite narrow so you would have to step off and wait for hikers heading the other way to go by.
The trail sign said 2.6 miles but it felt WAY longer. Likely because it was pretty much all uphill.
The waterfall is pretty, but after that hike I think Max would only have been impressed if the waterfalls were more along the lines of Niagara Falls!
You can stand under the waterfall if you would like. The boulders around it are very slippery. Max chose to admire from afar while the rest of us went a little closer. This trail is best for those with stamina and no balance issues. Individuals with low vision may also struggle.
Rainbow Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Porters Creek Trail
The first mile of this trail is gravel road and slightly uphill. Fairly easy for Max. Then it turns into a dirt trail which was harder for him because there were a lot of roots and rocks. Look for remnants of an old stone wall off the trail. There’s an old cemetery here.
The part we liked best about this trail is Porters Creek. The creek was really fun to explore with lots of rocks to sit on while soaking your feet in the water and taking in nature.
We also searched for crayfish and built stone towers in the creek. It was really fun and brought me back to my own childhood where we’d play in the creek for hours behind my home.
Exploring Porters Creek
Roaring Forks Motor Trail
This is a 5.5 mile long one way loop road which is closed during the winter. It’s a motor trail so you can drive and there’s lots of places to pull off and get out to explore historic buildings including old homesteads and a gristmill or drink in the scenery at scenic overlooks. If you not only want to drive that day but get some hiking in as well there’s lots of trails too.
In our experience this was a great place to see wildlife as we encountered black bears and turkeys. We also loved exploring the historic buildings.
Exploring historic buildings on the Roaring Forks Motor Trail.
Trails With Waterfalls In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Waterfalls can be magical especially for young children. If you want to make it a priority to see waterfalls when visiting the Smoky Mountains here is a list. If you click the link you’ll be taken to the National Parks Service website where you can read all about the trail and can decide if it would be right for your family to do.
Indian Creek and Tom Branch Falls
Meigs Falls, The Sinks, and Place of a Thousand Drips are waterfalls you can drive to if your loved one with a disability may not be able to hike a trail and you still want to experience the magic of waterfalls.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trails For Wheelchairs And Strollers
If you have a loved one with a disability you may need trails that are easy or wheelchair/stroller accessible. Here are a few that meet that need.
Gatlinburg Trail
This is considered an easy hike and it is one of the few trails that allows dogs and bicycles.
Sugarland Valley Trail
This trail is fabulous for wheelchairs and strollers. It’s a half mile trail that’s fully paved with several benches along the way too.
Laurel Creek Falls Trail
This trail is paved but can be steep in a few areas as well as rutted in some places. When we visited the Smoky Mountains we were not aware of a new system they were trying out to address congestion at this popular trail.
You had to buy a parking reservation in order to park at the trailhead. At that time it was $14. Each parking reservation was for 2 hours. If you couldn’t reserve a parking spot you have the option of contacting Rocky Top Tours which will provide shuttle access to the trailhead from Gatlinburg, TN for a fee.
We ended up deciding to skip Laurel Falls. I’m not sure if with the new parking pass requirements if you will still need a parking reservation for Laurel Falls.
Cataract Falls Trail
This is a short trail and easy walk with benches to sit and soak it all up.
Oconaluftee River Trail
This trail is hard packed gravel and according to the National Park Service website should be wheelchair accessible with some assistance.
The Great Smoking Mountains National Park: Fishing
In the park fishing is permitted year-round from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset in all streams. You must have a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina, either state license is valid in the park.
You cannot obtain fishing licenses and permits in the park, but you can purchase them in nearby towns or online.
In Tennessee, residents and nonresidents 13 and older must have a valid license. In North Carolina, residents and nonresidents 16 years of age and older need a license.
The Mathe crew had a lot of fun exploring the Smoky Mountains national park. The mountains are beautiful, it was exciting to see so much wildlife, and we loved exploring the historic buildings and structures sprinkled throughout the park! If you decide to visit the Smoky Mountains we hope you have as much fun as we did!
If you’re thinking about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains then check out
A Guide To Dollywood For the Special Needs Mom
Dollywood is located in PIgeon Forge and super close to Gatlinburg which is one of the entrances to the Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Mathe crew love hiking. If you’re planning a family trip to Arkansas get out in nature and take a hike! Check out Sunrises2Sunsets!
You’ll definitely want to check out 3 Amazing Hiking Trails for your Kids!
Dandelion Tribe Takeaways: The Smoky Mountains is a fun national park for families to visit. Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome are popular destinations that would be accessible to most families. There are many trails to enjoy and explore, several of which are wheelchair and stroller friendly too.
Mama Bear Share: Have you visited the Smoky Mountains national park? If so, what was your favorite part?
