{"id":5612,"date":"2019-08-28T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T13:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/?p=5612"},"modified":"2026-04-28T11:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:12:21","slug":"picnicking-smokies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/advice\/picnicking-smokies.htm","title":{"rendered":"Top Picnic Spots in the Great Smoky Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"

When summer<\/a> turns lush and fall paints the leaves in the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the best ways to enjoy the picturesque landscape is to go on a lovely picnic with your loved ones. Plop on a blanket under a tree, dine at a table by a flowing river, or throw a picnic party at a pavilion! Picnic areas are aplenty in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/a> and in nearby Gatlinburg, TN<\/a>. Simply choose which spot best suits you and enjoy an affordable and fun experience in nature. Need a few suggestions? We\u2019ve listed our fav picnic spots for YOU!<\/p>\n

Ultimate Picnicking Tip: do not feed wild animals & thoroughly clean the area, including grills and grounds around the picnic, to help protect wildlife. What about leftovers? Why bring them back to your cabin rental in the Smokies of course!<\/p>\n

IN THE NATIONAL PARK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cades Cove<\/strong>
\nLocated near the entrance to Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop road that features incredible valley views, historic sites, and wondrous wildlife, this national park picnic area is a great start or end to your drive, cycle, or hike! Forgot to pack the grub? Walk to the nearby campground store for basic groceries, hamburgers, and even ice cream. There are 81 picnic sites here, all nestled between the sparkling Abrams and Green Branch creeks.<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Restrooms<\/em>
\n\u2022 2 creeks<\/em>
\n\u2022 Nearby campground store<\/em>
\n\u2022 Hiking trailhead<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/strong><\/em>
\nYear-round<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em>
\n(Closes at 8:00 p.m. May 1 \u2013 Aug 31)<\/em><\/p>\n

Greenbrier<\/strong>
\nBust out Grandma\u2019s secret chicken salad recipe, pass around homemade finger sandwiches, and share scrumptious sugar cookies at your family gathering at Greenbrier. This quaint area in the national park harbors 12 picnic sites plus a tranquil pavilion that can accommodate up to 70 guests with multiple grills. And you can even take an easy hike to Porters Creek Trail from here, where a dazzling river awaits.<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/em><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Pavilion ($12.50 to reserve)<\/em>
\n\u2022 Hiking trailhead<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/em><\/strong>
\nYear-round<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em><\/p>\n

Chimneys<\/strong>
\nFeaturing 68 picnic sites (parking at each), with many along the enchanting Little Pigeon River, Chimneys is a beautiful picnic area in the national park. Bring family and friends to dine on freshly chopped fruits, 6-inch turkey subs, and a variety of chips by the water. Sip sweet tea and chat while watching the kiddos play on the boulders before heading out on a challenging hike along the Chimney Tops Trail (only a few miles south), boasting unbelievable mountain views.<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/em><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Restrooms<\/em>
\n\u2022 River<\/em>
\n\u2022 Nearby hiking<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/em><\/strong>
\nApril 19 \u2013 November 27<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em>
\n(Closes at 8:00 p.m. May 1 \u2013 Aug 31)<\/em><\/p>\n

IN GATLINBURG<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mills Park<\/strong>
\nAbout 10 minutes east of downtown Gatlinburg, you\u2019ll find the exciting Mills Park that features not only picnic tables and a pavilion but also game fields, a 400-meter track, jogging trail, disc golf course, basketball court\u2026the list goes on and on! Pack a well-balanced breakfast or lunch, and head to this park for a full day of fun with your picnic party.<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/em><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Restrooms<\/em>
\n\u2022 Pavilion ($25 for 1-4 hours & $35 for 4+ hours)<\/em>
\n\u2022 Football & softball fields<\/em>
\n\u2022 Basketball court<\/em>
\n\u2022 Disc golf course<\/em>
\n\u2022 Jogging trail & track<\/em>
\n\u2022 Playground<\/em>
\n\u2022 Horseshoe pits<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/em><\/strong>
\nYear-round<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em><\/p>\n

Herbert Holt Park<\/strong>
\nJust off the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Herbert Holt Park is a favorite picnic spot with local families. Children can fish in the stream (with a handicap access fishing pier) while Mom and Dad grill burgers and chop watermelon. And when lunch is over, you can play horseshoe, go for a walk on a nearby trail, or let the little ones get out their wiggles at the playground. Plus, there\u2019s a pavilion perfect for Great Smoky Mountain parties!<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/em><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Restrooms<\/em>
\n\u2022 Pavilion ($35 for 1-4 hours & $45 for 4+ hours)<\/em>
\n\u2022 Playground<\/em>
\n\u2022 Horseshoe pits<\/em>
\n\u2022 Fishing stream & fishery<\/em>
\n\u2022 Walking trail<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/em><\/strong>
\nYear-round<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em><\/p>\n

Mynatt Park<\/strong>
\nBring your favorite recipes for picnic fun at Mynatt Park in Gatlinburg, where a pavilion, tables, grills, and restrooms make picnicking convenient for any group. Fill up on kabobs, pasta salad, veggie wraps, cheese, crackers, sweet treats, and lemonade. And afterwards, hit homeruns, shoot hoops, toss horseshoes, and more here. There\u2019s even a fishing stream and playground for the kiddos!<\/p>\n

Special Features<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 Tables<\/em>
\n\u2022 Grills<\/em>
\n\u2022 Restrooms<\/em>
\n\u2022 Pavilion ($25 for 1-4 hours & $35 for 4+ hours)<\/em>
\n\u2022 Baseball field<\/em>
\n\u2022 Basketball & tennis courts<\/em>
\n\u2022 Playground<\/em>
\n\u2022 Horseshoe pits<\/em>
\n\u2022 Fishing stream<\/em><\/p>\n

Open<\/em><\/strong>
\nYear-round<\/em>
\nSunrise \u2013 sunset<\/em><\/p>\n

When next you venture to the Great Smoky Mountains in summer or fall, plan to go picnicking with family and friends \u2014 the priceless memories will be well worth it!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When summer turns lush and fall paints the leaves in the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the best ways to enjoy the picturesque landscape is to go on a lovely picnic with your loved ones. Plop on a blanket under a tree, dine at a table by a flowing river, or throw a picnic party at a pavilion! Picnic areas are aplenty in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in nearby Gatlinburg, TN. Simply choose which spot best suits you and enjoy an affordable and fun experience in nature. Need a few suggestions? We\u2019ve listed our fav picnic spots […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5614,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[288],"tags":[457,458,504],"class_list":["post-5612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","tag-picnic-spots-in-gatlinburg","tag-picnicking-smoky-mountains","tag-smoky-mountain-picnic-areas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5612"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10022,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5612\/revisions\/10022"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}