4 Places
Picnic Areas
Some of the best meals in the Smokies happen on a picnic table by a rushing stream. These spots make it easy to spread out, eat outdoors, and let the kids play in the water between bites.
Great Smoky Mountains NP
Cades Cove Loop Road
Scenic 11-mile wildlife viewing loop
Gatlinburg
The Greenbrier
Southern comfort food and steaks
Great Smoky Mountains NP
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
Historic 0.7-mile trail from picnic area
National Park
Chimneys Picnic Area
Park picnic spot with creek access
What to Know
Best Seasons
The developed picnic grounds are busiest spring through fall, with summer the prime time for streamside tables and wading. Many spots stay open and peaceful in mild winter weather. Fall weekends are beautiful but crowded.
What to Bring
Your food and drinks, a tablecloth, trash bags to pack out everything, and water shoes for the kids. Charcoal works on the grills at developed sites. Store food securely and never leave it unattended, since this is bear country.
Choosing Your Picnic Spot
For a Streamside Lunch
The Metcalf Bottoms and Greenbrier areas put picnic tables right beside the water, where the kids can wade while the adults relax. They are the most popular settings for good reason and fill early on weekends.
For an Easy Stop on a Drive
The Chimneys picnic area along Newfound Gap Road is a convenient, scenic place to break a mountain drive, set among the boulders and the river just up from Gatlinburg.
For Combining with a Walk
Picnic spots near Deep Creek and the nature trails let you pair lunch with a short, easy hike or a tube float, turning a meal into a relaxed outdoor afternoon.
Tips and Getting There
Insider Tips
- The streamside tables go first on busy days. Arrive before lunch on weekends to grab a spot right by the water.
- Pack out everything, including food scraps. A clean site keeps bears wild and the area open for the next family.
- Pair a picnic with a short nearby walk or a swim in the creek to turn a quick lunch into an easy half day outdoors.
Getting There and Parking
The developed picnic areas sit inside the park near the Sugarlands and Metcalf Bottoms areas off Little River Road, with more on the Greenbrier and Deep Creek sides. A parking tag is required for stops over fifteen minutes. Arrive early for the streamside tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best picnic areas?
Are there grills?
Do I need a parking pass?
Can the kids play in the creek?
Is it safe with bears around?
When should I arrive?
Vantage Stays · Smoky Mountain Guide
Picnic Areas
The best places to picnic in the Smokies. Riverside tables, shaded grounds, and scenic spots near Gatlinburg and Townsend for an easy outdoor meal.
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hours & details
What to Know
Best Seasons
The developed picnic grounds are busiest spring through fall, with summer the prime time for streamside tables and wading. Many spots stay open and peaceful in mild winter weather. Fall weekends are beautiful but crowded.
What to Bring
Your food and drinks, a tablecloth, trash bags to pack out everything, and water shoes for the kids. Charcoal works on the grills at developed sites. Store food securely and never leave it unattended, since this is bear country.
The Checklist
| Place | Rating | Hours | Phone | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | |||||
| The Greenbrier | 4.5 ★ | 4:30 PM - 9 PM | (865) 412-1576 | 370 Newman Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | |
| Great Smoky Mountains NP | |||||
| Cades Cove Loop Road | 4.8 ★ | Sunrise to Sunset | Cades Cove Loop Rd, Great Smoky Mountains NP | ||
| Metcalf Bottoms Trail | 4.5 ★ | Sunrise to Sunset | Metcalf Bottoms, Great Smoky Mountains NP | ||
| National Park | |||||
| Chimneys Picnic Area | 4.7 ★ | Sunrise to Sunset | Hwy 441, GSMNP (~7 mi from Sugarlands) | ||
Picking the Right One for Your Group
For a Streamside Lunch
The Metcalf Bottoms and Greenbrier areas put picnic tables right beside the water, where the kids can wade while the adults relax. They are the most popular settings for good reason and fill early on weekends.
For an Easy Stop on a Drive
The Chimneys picnic area along Newfound Gap Road is a convenient, scenic place to break a mountain drive, set among the boulders and the river just up from Gatlinburg.
For Combining with a Walk
Picnic spots near Deep Creek and the nature trails let you pair lunch with a short, easy hike or a tube float, turning a meal into a relaxed outdoor afternoon.
Insider Tips
- The streamside tables go first on busy days. Arrive before lunch on weekends to grab a spot right by the water.
- Pack out everything, including food scraps. A clean site keeps bears wild and the area open for the next family.
- Pair a picnic with a short nearby walk or a swim in the creek to turn a quick lunch into an easy half day outdoors.