Free & Affordable Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains

Lost Cost Fun Stuff in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

You have blown the bank on your Smoky Mountain adventure…lots of outlet shopping, several days at Dollywood and quite a few pricey meals out, but you still have several days left in your adventure up here. Not to worry, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers so many possibilities that come absolutely (or very nearly) FREE! You won’t be bored and you just may be surprised at how much fun you have. Let’s dive in.

The first suggestion may, at first blush, seem astoundingly obvious, but we will sprinkle in some insider tips. For the price of the gas you’ll use, you can spend quite a bit of time exploring the park by car. Pack a picnic lunch, plenty of drinks, your cell phone (you’ll need the camera) and go! Head up to Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman’s Dome). On the way you will be treated to a gradual change of scenery complete with overlooks that, as you gain elevation, become ever more impressive. Towering evergreen trees crowd the road as you rise, giving the feel of a Canadian forest. The air is super-clean and the experience feels more than peaceful. You feel the quiet in your bones. You won’t have cell service, so no scrolling can happen. How amazing is that? When you reach Kuwohi, park and walk the half-mile paved trail to the summit, which features an observation tower at the highest point in the GSMNP. There you will be treated to (clear days) a 100-mile view.

Turn onto Kuwohi Road toward 441 and Cherokee, proceed roughly seven miles and then turn south onto 441, taking it straight into Cherokee, North Carolina. Roughly 18 miles later you’ll find yourself in a charming little crossroads town nestled in the woods. It’s a fun place to souvenir shop and merely explore. Hike up to Mingo Falls, a beautiful, 120-foot waterfall nearby that is actually located on the tribally owned (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Qualla Boundary and accessed by a .4 mile trail.

If your trip to the Smokies offered too much time in the car, then plan to do easy waterfall hikes while here. Baskins Creek Falls Trail, convenient to Gatlinburg and accessible from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, offers a 3-to-3.7-mile hike to a small waterfall. There are fewer crowds on this trail than on several other waterfall hikes and you’ll treasure the quiet of the forest and the sounds of nature. The waterfall area would be a great place to enjoy a picnic and each other. How often do your phones go silent in the stillness of a summer mountain day? Watch for deer and salamanders.

If you are free on a Wednesday during your Smoky Mountain getaway, you MUST head to Cades Cove, rent bikes and ride the scenic loop. Cars aren’t allowed on Wednesdays, so you’ll have a danger-free blast reliving a key joy of childhood. Cades Cove is replete with wildlife and plenty of selfie-worthy views. You will not regret this! Again, pack a lunch and a sense of adventure. If you are a moderately healthy, capable hiker, you may want to try hiking down to Abrams Falls in Cades Cove. It is a 5-mile roundtrip that includes a beautiful waterfall. Take plenty of water in with you!

On your way back to Gatlinburg from Cades Cove, be sure to stop in at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee.  Admission is only $15 for adults ($12 for those aged 60 and up) and $10 for veterans! There is a wonderful museum featuring area artifacts including those of the Native American community, an historic village to tour and heirloom gardens. Additionally, there is live music in the evenings! Immerse yourself in the mountain culture and make great memories for very little expense.

Another incredibly popular free option is to explore the eight-mile arts and crafts loop (accessible from highway 321) loaded with local artisans and craftsmen at work. Weave in and out of the many shops, and you may catch some of the locals busy crafting their unique wares. There are blown-glass artists, basket weavers, woodworkers, candle-makers, jewelers and more. “Handmade” is a hallmark of the mountain culture and the idea is firmly rooted in the area’s devotion to the arts. The “can-do: spirit of the original settlers in this area is also in play here. Many of these men and women were impoverished and, if they for instance needed a chair or a bed covering, simply learned to make them. Visit The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community to plan your visit to this fascinating community.

Locals enjoy one more free option: people-watching. The Smokies attract a wide variety of people from all over the world. Take a stroll down the Parkway in Gatlinburg, ice cream cone in hand, and enjoy watching the throng. You may see an occasional bear part the sea of people (just don’t feed it)! Sometimes it feels good NOT to spend money but rather savor the time you have in our beautiful mountains. Get out and explore today!

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or an entire week, some of the Smokies’ most memorable experiences don’t require expensive tickets. Pack a picnic, lace up your hiking shoes, and enjoy the mountains the way generations have before you and truly enjoy all of these free & affordable things to do in the Smoky Mountains.

Looking for other affordable or free things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

• Pigeon Forge Car Shows
• Bush Beans Visitors Center
• Smoky Mountains Coupons, Deals and Discounts
• Low Cost Fun in Gatlinburg & Beyond
• Christmas Lights Tours