3 Unique Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you’ve been to the Great Smoky Mountains before, you’ve probably tried all of the most popular activities, from driving through Cades Cove to having a picnic by the river. While these are always fun things to do, you may be looking for something a little different for your next trip. Here are 3 unique things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park you’ll want to experience on your next vacation:

1. Walk Behind Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the Smokies that stands at 25 feet tall, but did you know it’s the only waterfall you can walk behind in the entire national park? To get to the falls, you’ll hike along Trillium Gap Trail for about 1.3 miles, making your way through old forest growth. The trail follows along the creek, and once you do reach Grotto Falls, you’ll see water pouring into a pool at the bottom. If you decide to walk behind the falls, be cautious because this area will be slippery. This is also one of the best spots in the park to see salamanders! The Smoky Mountains have been named the “Salamander Capital of the World” due to the high diversity of this creature.

2. See the Synchronous Fireflies

While you can’t experience this unique activity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park any time of the year, seeing the synchronous fireflies is a once-in-a-lifetime activity you’ll want to try to do. Every year in late May or early June, thousands of fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, flock to the area to light up the sky at night. People come from all over the world to see this event, but you have to enter a special lottery to get a ticket to this event. Learn more about the Synchronous Fireflies event in Elkmont here! Those who don’t get tickets to the main event can find other areas of the park to spot them. Search for open fields bordered by trees and close to water to enjoy one of the best things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains!

3. Experience the Smoky Mountain Llama Trek

If you’ve visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, odds are that you’ve been hiking before. But have you ever hiked with llamas? Smoky Mountain Llama Trek offers visitors the opportunity to hike through the beautiful woods with a llama in tow! This attraction offers a 1-hour Padgett Mill trek, during which you’ll be paired with a new llama friend and embark on a guided, hour-long hike. The hike will take you up a forested mountain trail into the foothills of the Smokies. If you don’t feel like going for a trek, you can still get up close to the llamas during the Llama Farm Visit!

Other Fun Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains

You won’t want to miss out on trying these unique things to do in the national park. But, are you wondering how else you can spend time on your vacation? Keep reading to learn about some of the other fun things to do in the Smokies:

Go Camping

If you haven’t decided where you’re staying when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there’s no better place than Pigeon River Campground! Choose from tent camping, RV camping, or booking a camping cabin with a river view. Your friends and family will love being so close to the outdoors every day of their stay, and this campground has all kinds of perks, including a bath house, a general store, outdoor games, and river access. Please note: This beloved campground is working on rebuilding after damage from Hurricane Helene. It’s expected to reopen in 2026.

Come Rafting With Us

We can’t talk about fun things to do in the Smokies without mentioning white water rafting! This is a great way to spend a day of your trip being outside, working together with your friends and family, and trying something new! We have quite a few different trips to choose from, but no matter which one you decide on, everyone will have a fantastic time floating down the river!

We know you can’t wait to experience these unique things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but you also don’t want to miss out on rafting with us! Look through our white water rafting trips in the Smoky Mountains, and reserve your spot today.

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