The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Blount County

There are over 20 family-friendly hiking trails in Blount County, offering a variety of experiences for all ages and skill levels. You'll find a good mix of easy, moderate, and some more challenging options.

Yes, Blount County offers several easy trails perfect for families with young children or strollers. The Greenbelt Lake Loop and the Alcoa Duck Pond Loop are both very short and flat, ideal for a leisurely stroll. Additionally, the paved Maryville-Alcoa Greenway provides 15 miles of accessible paths connecting parks, suitable for walking, jogging, and biking.

Many trails in Blount County, especially those outside the immediate Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries, are dog-friendly. Always check specific trail regulations before heading out, but greenways and local park trails often welcome leashed dogs. Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are generally restricted to paved roads and a few specific trails like the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.

Absolutely! Blount County, particularly the Tennessee side near the Great Smoky Mountains, is home to several beautiful waterfalls. You can hike to Abrams Falls, a picturesque 20-foot waterfall, or explore Spruce Flats Falls, accessible via a relatively short hike. The Lynn Camp Cascades along the Middle Prong Trail also offer continuous views of rapids and smaller waterfalls.

Blount County offers a rich blend of history and natural wonders. In Tennessee, within Cades Cove, you can explore historic stops like the John Oliver Cabin, offering a glimpse into early settler life. In Blount County, Alabama, you can visit Rickwood Caverns State Park with its 260-million-year-old limestone formations, or Palisades Park, known for its unique sandstone and limestone rock formations and embedded marine fossils.

Spring and fall are generally the most pleasant seasons for family hiking in Blount County. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and mild temperatures, while fall offers stunning foliage. Summer can be warm and humid, but higher elevation trails provide cooler air. Winter hikes are also possible, especially on lower elevation trails, though some park roads and facilities may close due to snow or ice.

For breathtaking views, consider areas near the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee, which offers 'jaw-dropping views' of the Great Smoky Mountains. Challenging hikes to peaks like Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top Summit provide extensive vistas. Spence Field is a high meadow on the Appalachian Trail known for its views and wildlife. In Alabama, Palisades Park offers scenic views from atop Ebell Mountain.

Yes, there are several loop options. The Greenbelt Lake Loop and the Alcoa Duck Pond Loop are short, easy loops perfect for families. Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cades Cove Nature Trail and Cades Cove: Sparks Lane loop offer easier loop hiking opportunities for wildlife spotting.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the diverse landscapes, from the rolling hills and dense forests of Tennessee to the unique rock formations and rivers of Alabama. Many highlight the accessibility of trails for families and the opportunity for wildlife spotting, especially in areas like Cades Cove.

Cades Cove, located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing. The 11-mile scenic loop is renowned for sightings of black bears, coyotes, turkeys, and white-tailed deer. The Cades Cove Nature Trail also provides a good opportunity to observe local fauna in a family-friendly setting.

Many of the easier trails and greenways in Blount County are perfect for a family picnic. The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway has numerous parks and open spaces along its route where you can stop for a meal. In Rickwood Caverns State Park (Alabama), the Picnic Loop Trail is specifically designed for this, offering a pleasant setting for a family lunch.