What To See In The Great Smoky Mountains If You Only Have One Day
Living just 30 minutes from the entrance to the Smokies, we are often asked about a one day itinerary. Although you could easily spend a week here, we think this one day plan captures the spirit and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you are visiting or staying in Knoxville, this would be the perfect itinerary for a day trip to the Smokies.
The itinerary described here is one of the closest in the Smokies to downtown Knoxville with just one hour of driving. Tip: Although the Cades Cove Loop is a popular tourist stop in the Smokies, we recommend avoiding it during peak summer season as well as during the fall as you’ll spend more time breathing in the fumes from a traffic jam on this one way loop rather than enjoying nature.
Our one day itinerary to the historic Greenbrier School House and the Walker Sisters Cabin is closer to downtown Knoxville and much less crowded than the Cades Cove Loop.
P.S. If you are visiting Knoxville, check out our Essential Guide To Knoxville.
Overview- Day Trip From Downtown Knoxville To The Smokies
This simply awesome day in the Smokies includes a visit to an historic schoolhouse and a short hike to a historic homestead before enjoying a picnic and swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. The picnic area and trailhead is a 20 minute drive from Townsend, TN and a one hour drive from downtown Knoxville.
Where To Eat Breakfast- Elvira’s Cafe
Elvira's serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ve always enjoy a good meal here and it’s on the way to the trailhead when entering the park from Wears Valley. 4.5 miles from the 321 stoplight in Townsend. 4143 Wears Valley Road. Open seasonally.
Historic Greenbriar Schoolhouse and Walker Sisters Cabin Hike
An easy 4 mile roundtrip hike brings you first to a schoolhouse built in 1882 via the Metcalf Bottoms Trail and then a short hike on the Little Brier Gap Trail to reach the Walker Sisters Cabin built after the Civil War. You can enter the log structures and imagine mountain life from days of yore.
Tip: You can push a jog stroller on this trail if needed.
*DON’T FORGET YOUR PARKING PASS!* As of March 2023, you will need a parking pass to park anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center. Passes are $5 for the day, $15 for the week, and $40 for a year. They are not transferable either, meaning you will need one for each car you plan on driving into the park. The GSMNP website has lots of details and FAQ about the new parking passes. These new passes will help pay for some much needed maintenance throughout the park, including at rest areas and campgrounds.
Map showing location of Little Greenbrier School and the Walker Sisters Cabin on Little Brier Gap Trail from Metcalf Bottoms in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Metcalf Bottoms Trail To Greenbrier Schoolhouse In The Smokies
Start the trail from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. You’ll see a gate on the right after crossing a small bridge. Follow the Metcalf Bottoms Trail for roughly one mile to reach the schoolhouse. (See driving directions to the trailhead at the bottom of this post.)
Tip: To shorten the hike to 2.6 miles total, you can actually park at the Greenbrier Schoolhouse on Little Greenbrier Road (closed in the winter). The parking area is less than a half-mile up the narrow gravel road, and is next to the historic Little Greenbrier School.
Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
Spend some time at the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. Built in 1882 with the help of John Walker, the last classes in the small schoolhouse were held in 1935.
The kids had a great time pretending to have school in Little Greenbrier School.
If you are here on a Tuesday, you'll often find a volunteer dressed as a teacher from the time period to lead classes as part of the park's "School days at Little Greenbrier." Otherwise, the kids will have a good time standing up front and instructing their siblings (and you).
After visiting the school and taking turns being the teacher, you're now ready to continue to the Walker Sisters Cabin on the Little Brier Gap Trail.
The Little Brier Gap Trail Takes You To The Walker Sisters Cabin and Homestead
The Little Brier Gap Trail is located at the end of the gravel road that runs behind the cemetery in front of the schoolhouse. The trail is nice and wide and slightly uphill but overall an easy 1 mile stroll to the Walker Sisters homestead. See the NPS blog for more info on the Walker Sister History.
The Walker Sisters Homestead in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is one of the busier hikes, but your kids will love it because you get to explore inside the cabin. Arrive early if visiting in summer season to avoid the crowds.
Also, see our more detailed blog for this great family hike to the Walker Sisters Cabin.
Click on images below to enlarge
Where To Picnic In The Smokies
Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds of the cabin or return to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area where you can dine riverside and try to catch tadpoles and crawdads.
Tip: Remember to wear or bring swimsuits to play afterwards at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area where restrooms are available.
Driving Directions to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
The trailhead is located at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and is easily accessed from the Wears Valley Entrance to the park. From Wears Valley Road, turn onto Lyon Springs Ln and follow it into the national park where the name changes to Wear Cove Gap Rd.
To reach the picnic area, continue on Wear Cove Gap Rd and turn right into the picnic area. Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area. The trail starts at the other side of the river, on the right side of the picnic area, behind a gated gravel road.
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Trailhead to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. Map courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions.
Trailhead from Schoolhouse to Walker Sisters Cabin
Best Restaurants In Townsend, TN
After a great day in the Smokies, enjoy a bite and a brew at one of Townsend’s restaurants that offer outdoor seating.
Peaceful Side Social has a huge outdoor patio to sip your craft beer, watch a game on one their huge TVs, play some cornhole, and enjoy the scenic views. Did we mention it also has terrific food? Order at the counter and they will bring it to your table.
Apple Valley Cafe is another good choice with an outdoor beer garden and delicious burgers. Enjoy your dinner and then browse the General Store for souvenirs or a candy splurge.
The Townsend Abbey is another great option with riverside dining, cold beverages, and good food. It’s a former wedding chapel which makes it all the more fun. This is one of the only places to eat riverside in Townsend. They often have live music on weekends as well.
No Time To Plan Your Vacation to the Smokies?
No worries, we’ve already done it for you. Lodging recommendations, where to eat, favorite hikes, fun activities and more!
Did you like this simply awesome day in the Smokies?
Daunted by the amount of planning needed for your next family vacation? Use one of our ready made itineraries and simplify your life.
This Smoky Mountains itinerary highlights where to stay (camping, hotel, and cabins-all vetted for location and price point), where to eat, more family-friendly hikes, and other activities like exploring a cave and climbing a lookout tower. All organized day-by-day with the details you need.
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Elkmont is one of our go-to campgrounds in the Smokies because it has so many kid-friendly activities to do at or near the campground. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history… there is even a ghost town on site to explore. These are our family’s top 10 favorite activities when we camp at Elkmont.