Great Smoky Mountains National Park is among the most popular and commonly visited national parks in the United States. It is nestled on the edge of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and is the perfect destination to enjoy a trip with the whole family. By planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with Capital Vacations Myrtle Beach, one can take their kids to explore this charming region, and even take part in family hikes.
Capital Vacations Myrtle Beach underlines the prominent kid-friendly hiking trails at the Great Smoky Mountain
There are more than 850 miles of trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains, and hiking is among the best ways for families to explore the region. The most popular kid-friendly hiking trails here are:
- Cataract Falls: Having a roundtrip length of just one mile, this short hiking trail is ideal for families with small kids. The path is pretty easy to follow and well laid out. One can walk beside the creek and soak in beautiful forest views. One might even find many birds and squirrels on the hike, which kids are likely to love a lot. Near the end of the hike, one can see Cataract falls, which especially looks beautiful after rain.
- Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail: This looped trail is 0.5 mile long, and therefore is also ideal for families with young kids. The children will love being out in the nature, and burn calories while walking along the trail. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is located nearby Gatlinburg and runs alongside a creek, where one may get to explore some wildlife. As this trail is paved, and is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- Elkmont Nature Trail: If parents really love the woods, but are not too sure if their kids can handle a long hike, taking them to the Elkmont Nature Trail shall be a good idea. It is a 0.8 miles long looped trail, and is generally used for spotting wildflowers and bird watching. As Elkmont Nature Trail is generally not too crowded, it is ideal for enjoying a bit of a private time with family.
- Laurel Falls: This trail is a bit more challenging than the ones mentioned above. Having a 2.6 miles roundtrip, Laurel Falls trail would be perfect for families with kids who are more than ten years old. The path of this trail is paved, but it does have an incline. During the falls, kids would definitely love seeing the mountain laurel growing in the area. As they reach Laurel Falls, the kids may want to splash in the water. Hence, it would be better that parents carry a pair of clothes for them.
- Gatlinburg Trail: The roundtrip length of this trail is 3.8 miles, and it takes families just beside the west prong of the Little Pigeon River. Hikers will have to cross the river on a footbridge and make their way through the woods, which shall be quite an exciting endeavor for the kids.
While one would not need any specialized equipment while planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with Capital Vacations Myrtle Beach, and going for hikes, it is always smart to take enough snacks and water. Proper, sturdy footwear for all is also important for hikes.