Your big family can explore the unspoiled beauty of the Appalachian range with our meticulously planned 10-day adventure loop, designed to guide you through 3 national parks and a scenic byway. The trip kicks off in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge near the foggy peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Continue your adventure in the rugged beauty of the New River Gorge National Park. You’ll then explore the emerald sea of trees that make up Shenandoah National Park. The journey unwinds along the stunningly scenic route of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The loop can be covered in 9-14 days depending on your family’s travel style. This itinerary will guide you through lush forests, along glistening waterways, and across towering mountain peaks, ensuring you witness the best these four spectacular national parks have to offer.
We completed a variation of this loop the week before Memorial Day weekend. We found the weather cooperative and crowds to be minimal. We flew into Knoxville, rented a car, and started the trip in Gatlinburg. In our 9-day trip, we visited GSM, Blue Ridge, up to New River, back to Blue Ridge, finished at Shenandoah, and flew back from DC.
The below road trip loop can be picked up at any point. If flying in, McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN is near Gatlinburg and Dulles International Airport in DC is about an hour from the northern end of Shenandoah National Park.
To customize your trip and build your own itinerary, visit the listed park guides for more details, tips, maps, where to stay, and where to hike.
- Days 1-3: Immersing in the Majesty of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
- Days 4-6: Experiencing Adventure at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
- Days 7-8: Unveiling the Wilderness of Shenandoah National Park
- Days 8.5-10: Scenic Driving on the Iconic Blue Ridge Parkway
- Wrapping Up in Gatlinburg – A Look Back at the Journey
- Trip Notes and Route Variations
Days 1-3: Immersing in the Majesty of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds the distinction of being the most visited national park in the United States. Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, this stunning park has over 800 miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and wildlife that your family will greatly enjoy. In our Great Smoky Mountain National Park guide, we cover 1 to 5-day itineraries for visiting the park. You can adjust your schedule to fit how much of the park you want to cover and what you want to see.
Find a big family hotel in Gatlinburg for your base for the time exploring the park.
Day 1 – Cades Cove and Sugarland Visitor Center
As early as you can, start your day with a visit to Cades Cove, a charming section of the park that draws many visitors due to its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Be aware that during the busy summer season, the loop through Cades Cove can take up to four hours to complete. If you arrive early or visit in the off-peak season, you can likely finish the loop in around two hours. During our trip, we were thrilled to spot several bears.
Informational signs are limited in the area, so it’s a good idea to pick up a Cades Cove tour booklet at the entrance. This guide provides detailed information about the historical background of this picturesque area, as well as the 18 points of interest scattered along the loop.
Next, make sure to visit the Sugarland Visitor Center. Here, you’ll find useful auto tour and park region booklets brimming with interesting facts and helpful tips for planning your park visit. The center is staffed by rangers who are available to answer any questions you might have.
Once everyone has taken a break, gear up for a short hike starting from the back of the visitor center. The 0.7-mile loop to Cataract Falls is a good choice, or you can opt for the Fighting Creek Nature Trail. This 1.2-mile loop meanders along Fighting Creek and includes the historic properties of the Noah McCarter and John Ownby cabins.
Day 1 – Additional or alternative option: Instead of visiting Cades Cove, plan a few hikes along Little River Road. You’ll find several family-friendly waterfall hikes in the area, many of them less than 3 miles round trip. (see our waterfall guide – coming soon!)
Head back to your Gatlinburg hotel to recharge for the night.
Day 2 – Roaring Fork Motor Trail and Newfound Gap Road
Head over early to Roaring Fork Motor Trail. As you meander along the winding, narrow 5.5-mile road, the green tree canopy and the soothing sounds of Roaring Fork Creek make for a relaxing journey. The trail offers glimpses of history through well-preserved log cabins and homesteads and several hiking opportunities including Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls. Don’t miss Place of a Thousand Drips on your left-hand side right next to the road. Use the Roaring Fork auto tour to learn more about the area as informational placards are limited.
Drive back to Gatlinburg and continue your day’s activities by setting out on the breathtaking Newfound Gap Road to Cherokee. This picturesque route winds through the park, offering plenty of overlooks and pull-outs where you can pause to admire the stunning views. See our Great Smoky Mountain guide for our top 14 viewpoints and stops along this route including Clingman’s Dome and Mingus Mill. Without stopping, the drive takes about an hour one way so plan for 3-5 hours.
Return to Gatlinburg to treat the crew to ice cream or dinner out. We recommend the Mellow Mushroom.
Day 3 Drive Across the Park to Cherokee and Visit Bryson City
Spend the morning driving across the park stopping at viewpoints and points of interest that you didn’t visit the day before. See our top 14 viewpoints in our Great Smoky Mountain National Park guide including Clingman’s Dome, Mingus Mill, and Newfound Gap.
In the afternoon, drive to Bryson City to hike the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop to view Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. From downtown Bryson City, take E Deep Creek Road to the park’s trailhead. On the road, you’ll see a lot of places to rent vinyl tubes and lifejackets to tube Deep Creek. The walkway down to Tom Branch Falls seems like a good place to enter the creek. If you are short on time, we recommend skipping Indian Creek Falls, in our opinion, Juneywhank and Tom Branch were more impressive.
Drive back to Gatlinburg for one last night.
Day 3 – Additional or alternative option: Instead of traveling across the park again, schedule a few hikes on the east side of the park.
Days 4-6: Experiencing Adventure at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
The New River Gorge National Park is a stunning park located in southern West Virginia. It was established as a national park in 2020 and covers over 70,000 acres of natural beauty, including the New River Gorge and the surrounding mountains.
The New River Gorge Bridge, which spans the New River Gorge, is one of the park’s most famous attractions and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts and offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty and history of West Virginia.
To help you explore the area with your family, in our New River Gorge guide we divide the park into six parts. This itinerary covers five of the six areas.
Day 4 Sandstone Falls and Grandview
On your fourth day, plan to spend the morning traveling from Gatlinburg to Sandstone Falls, which will take around 4.5 hours. Remember to pack picnic supplies from Gatlinburg to have a meal at the park, or you can plan to dine at the Hinton Dairy Queen.
Once at Sandstone Falls, located in the southern part of the park, you’ll be met with stunning waterfalls and breathtaking scenic views. To get there from Hinton, cross the New River and follow Hwy-26 for about eight miles. There, you can enjoy the falls through a quarter-mile boardwalk loop that crosses two bridges leading to a deck and an open area. The falls cascade 10 to 25 feet and span 1500 feet across the river. This is my personal favorite spot in the park. For reference, the Sandstone Visitor Center is near exit 139 off I-64.
Next on your itinerary is Grandview, a 45-minute drive from Sandstone Falls. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of the New River Gorge and the surrounding mountains at the Main Overlook. This offers sights of seven miles of the New River and its watershed, along with an active railway and the town of Quinnimont. The Grandview section of the park also offers five hiking trails, ranger-led walks and talks, summer outdoor dramas, and picnic areas equipped with playgrounds.
Finally, the last stop of the day will be Beckley, WV. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Grandview. I recommend finding a hotel with a pool for the kids to relax and enjoy.
Day 5 New River Gorge Bridge & Canyon Rim
Begin the fifth day of your trip with a brief, half-hour drive from Beckley to the historic town of Thurmond. Allocate a few hours to wander through the once-thriving railroad community. Visit key sites such as the restored Thurmond Depot, the National Bank of Thurmond, and the historic railway bridge. For a deeper understanding of the town’s past, follow the self-guided walking tour, which consists of nine information placards spread throughout the town.
After Thurmond, continue to Fayette Station Road. Your route will pass through the town of Oak Hill, providing an opportunity for a meal stop at one of its many restaurants. You can also visit the local Walmart to restock any travel essentials.
Fayette Station Road, a century-old route, offers breathtaking views of the New River Gorge. This scenic 8-mile drive takes you on a journey through time, before the construction of the modern New River Gorge Bridge. The road winds down to the bottom of the gorge, across the New River on the Tunney Hunsake Bridge, and then back up the other side. This route showcases sweeping landscapes of the river, the bridges, hardwood forests, and remnants of once-bustling towns and coal mines.
Once you’ve explored Fayette Station Road, cross the New River Gorge Bridge to reach the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Here, you can learn about the area’s mining history and access various trails leading to viewpoints of the bridge.
End your day by driving to Lewisburg, WV, where you will spend the night.
Day 6 Discover Hidden Gems – Natural Bridge State Park and Luray Caverns
On your journey to Shenandoah National Park, take some time to explore local natural wonders. Your first stop should be the Natural Bridge State Park, situated less than an hour and a half away from Lewisburg. Here, you’ll discover a magnificent 215-foot limestone bridge sculpted by nature herself. In addition to the natural bridge, the park offers a variety of activities including hiking trails, a butterfly garden, and an exhibit showcasing a Native American village. Be prepared to pay a small per-person fee, but rest assured, it’s a worthy investment for the experience. Allocate a few hours to fully immerse yourself in all the park has to offer.
Following your visit to Natural Bridge State Park, continue your journey along Interstate 81 toward Luray, where you will find the Luray Caverns. These caverns, the largest and most visited in the Eastern United States, are a marvel with their towering stone formations and captivating underground lake. Unique to Luray Caverns is the world’s only Stalacpipe Organ, a musical instrument that generates melodious sounds using stalactites. The complex also features additional attractions such as a car and carriage museum, a ropes course, and a garden maze. While the cave tour is an enjoyable experience, be aware that this attraction is a bit pricey and the overall complex can feel somewhat like a tourist trap.
To conclude your day, drive another 30 minutes to reach Front Royal, located at the northern tip of Shenandoah National Park. Here, you can find a comfortable hotel to rest for the night.
Day 6 – Alternative: Spend another half day at New River Gorge to hike or further explore the area. In the afternoon, drive the 4 hours to Front Royal.
Days 7-8: Unveiling the Wilderness of Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is a stunningly beautiful natural wonderland located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Established in 1935, the park encompasses over 200,000 acres of rolling hills, lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and 75 scenic overlooks that offer breathtaking views for miles around. There are four entrances to the park, so we’ll divide the park’s 105-mile Skyline Drive into three districts to explore the highlights, best overlooks, stops, hikes, and nearby attractions of each. Read our complete guide to the park for more details.
Day 7: North and Central Districts – Miles 0-65
Skyline Drive winds its way through the park from the north to the south, covering a span of 105 miles. On the seventh day of your trip, you’ll be covering 65 miles. Given the speed limit of 35 mph, you’ll only need a few hours for this stretch of the journey. This leaves ample time for relaxation and exploration, including several hikes.
In the Northern District, we suggest making pitstops at the Shenandoah Valley Range View and Hogback Overlooks. Take a break and stretch your legs at the Fox Hollow Trail, which is a 1.2-mile TRACK trail complete with a self-guided brochure and educational signs for children. Enjoy a picnic lunch at either Pinnacles or Big Meadows Picnic Grounds.
Proceed through the Central District and make sure to stop at Mary’s Rock Tunnel, Stony Man Mountain Overlook, and Crescent Rock Overlook. For hikes less than 2 miles, consider the Little Stony Man Cliffs, Limberlost, and Dark Hallow Falls trails.
To round off your day, try out some additional activities in the area such as Shenandoah River Outfitters Tubing, Jordan Hollow Stables, and Bear Mountain Ziplines.
As for accommodation, you can choose to spend the night in the park at the Skyland Resort, which has rooms that can accommodate up to 7 people. Alternatively, you can stay just outside the park near Elkton, VA. During our journey, we opted to travel a bit further west to Harrisonburg. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, a relatively new hotel conveniently located near James Madison University, a variety of dining options, and a Walmart Supercenter, perfect for restocking travel supplies.
Day 8 – Morning: Shenandoah South District – Miles 65-105 and Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke
On the eighth day, conclude your journey in the Southern District of Shenandoah National Park, which spans 40 miles. Don’t miss out on visiting Swift Run Overlook, Loft Mountain, and Calf Mountain Overlook. For hiking options, the Deadening Nature Trail or the Blackrock Summit are excellent choices.
In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to proceed to the next stage of your trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. More details about the afternoon itinerary for the parkway will be discussed in the following section.
Days 8.5-10: Scenic Driving on the Iconic Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway’s scenic drive spans 469 miles and offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. On this trip, we start at milepost 0 near Shenandoah National Park and meander our way along the parkway to Cherokee, NC. We cover the first 120 miles of the road on the afternoon of day eight. Over the subsequent two days, we explore the remaining 349 miles, covering approximately 175 miles each day.
The parkway can be divided into four distinct regions: Ridge, Plateau, Highlands, and Pisgah Regions, each offering its own unique attractions and natural wonders. Read our guide to the Parkway to help you decide where to stop for must-see overlooks, which trails to hike, and what side trips to include.
Travel Tip: If you don’t want to complete the whole parkway or are short on time (the speed limit ranges from 35-45 mph), head north to Interstate 81 which runs from Staunton, VA (near Waynesboro and the south end of Shenandoah) to Kodak, TN (near Pigeon Forge).
Day 8.5 Afternoon – Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke
The Ridge Region is the northernmost section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and spans from mile marker 0 to mile marker 105. This region is known for its stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as its charming small towns and historic sites.
From Shenandoah, Skyline Drive flows smoothly into the Blue Ridge Parkway. This transition point is near Highway 64, which is a convenient spot to refuel before continuing your journey through the initial 120 miles of the parkway leading to Roanoke. We recommended stopping at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center, Swift Run Overlook, and milepost 76.5, which is the Highest Point in Virginia standing at 3865 feet.
For those interested in shorter hikes, consider the trails at Yankee Horse, Otter Lake Loop, Abbott Lake Loop, and the scenic Fallingwater Cascades National Scenic Trail.
Wrap up the day in Roanoke with a hotel with a pool.
Day 9 Roanoke to Blowing Rock/Boone
Begin your day early as we have approximately 170 miles, or around 4 hours of driving, ahead of us. Our exploration of the Blue Ridge Parkway will take us through both the Plateau and Highlands Regions, starting from around milepost 120 in Roanoke (depending on where you enter the Parkway) and ending at milepost 290 near Blowing Rock and Boone.
The Plateau Region, spanning from milepost 106 in Roanoke to the Virginia/North Carolina border at milepost 217, provides a distinct rural experience. This area features gentle rolling hills and farmlands interspersed with small towns and communities. Plan to make stops at key points of interest like Roanoke Valley Parkway Overlook, Devils Backbone, Mabry Mill, and the Blue Ridge Music Center.
Next, the Highlands Region of the Blue Ridge Parkway extends from milepost 217 to 340 and is situated between the Virginia/North Carolina border and Crabtree Falls. Here, you have the opportunity to visit charming small towns and quaint villages, including Sparta and Little Switzerland. Noteworthy stops include Doughton Park, Moses H Cone Memorial Park, and Julian Price Memorial Park, each boasting facilities and hiking trails.
We will end the day at mile marker 290 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is situated near either Blowing Rock or slightly beyond in Boone, NC.
Day 10 Blowing Rock/Boone to Cherokee and Gatlinburg
On the tenth day, you’ll conclude your journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s best to begin early in the day, allowing you ample time to drive and explore the 170-mile stretch from mileposts 290 to 469. This portion of the trip entails approximately four hours of driving and will guide you through the Pisgah Region of the parkway, which stretches from Milepost 339.5 to the southernmost end at Milepost 469.
This region is named after the Pisgah National Forest, which comprises over 500,000 acres and is home to the United States’ first forestry school. If time permits, consider a visit to Mount Mitchell State Park at milepost 355. Other points of interest include Craggy Gardens, Folk Art Center, Looking Glass Rock Overlook, and the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Overlook. Consider adding on a hike, there are short trails under 2 miles, such as Craggy Pinnacle, Buck Springs, and Richland Balsam.
After completing the parkway, you’ll be in close proximity to Cherokee, which serves as the eastern entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Here, you can either explore the local area or continue your drive across the park, leading you back to the starting point in Gatlinburg.
Wrapping Up in Gatlinburg – A Look Back at the Journey
Optimized for both an unforgettable family experience and an adventurous exploration, this road trip loop indeed covers a lot of ground. With a spanning length of 1167 miles and traversing through four picturesque states – Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, it promises an itinerary bustling with diverse experiences. If you’re traveling with little ones, we recommend extending the number of days for a more leisurely pace – one that allows you to soak in every moment and every view.
We explored three awe-inspiring national parks – Great Smoky Mountains with its mist-enshrouded peaks, New River Gorge which offers an adrenaline rush like no other, and Shenandoah, where nature unfurls in its most pristine form. And let’s not forget the scenic blue ridge parkway, a ribbon of road that meanders through some of the most picturesque vistas in the country. This road trip is not just about the destinations though; it’s about the journey itself, the memories you make along the way, the laughter shared in the car, and, let’s be real, even the grumpy mornings or bad travel days that you can laugh at later.
Trip Notes and Route Variations
You have the flexibility to customize this journey based on your preferences and your family’s travel capacity. You could either follow the loop as originally planned or reverse the route. Alternatively, you could start at a different point on the loop, based on what suits you best. You could also opt to cover only a segment of the parkway or divide the journey into two separate trips.
Another possibility to consider is spending more time in one or more of the parks. We highly recommend reviewing our national park guides to choose an itinerary that aligns with your interests.
It’s important to note that the time of the year you choose to travel will significantly affect your park experience. During busy summer months, travel times may be extended due to increased traffic and the likelihood of encountering full parking lots.
However, with careful planning and consideration, you can create a memorable journey that meets your personal preferences and showcases the very best the national parks have to offer.
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