The Ultimate 7-Day Tennessee Road Trip for Families

There’s something special about the beautiful state of Tennessee, from winding backroads, to misty mountain mornings, and an epic adventure around every corner. If your family loves chasing waterfalls, exploring caves, and discovering scenic views that make you stop and stare, this itinerary is for you. Starting near Nashville for some epic waterfalls, exploring the Smoky Mountains, and ending near the Daniel Boone National Forest, here’s how to spend one incredible week exploring the best of Tennessee.

Day 1: Do go Chasing Waterfalls

You’re going to start this road trip from Nashville area, heading south towards Chattanooga. This would be the perfect spot to fly into, and you could easily add on a day or 2 to explore the city- I’m sure you can find plenty to do here. We came in from Bowling Green, Kentucky, which is about an hour north of Nashville, where we spent the previous day exploring Mammoth Cave National Park.

Your first stop of the day: Burgess Falls State Park. Hike the 1.2-mile trail, leading to a breathtaking 130-foot waterfall that tumbles into a gorge below. The is a lovely trail through a wooded area that follows along the river and through great scenery. Definitely kid friendly, but wear some shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. There is also a great playground, picnic area, and clean restrooms at start of the trail, so perfect for a picnic lunch.

From there, head to Rock Island State Park. The Twin Falls Trail (1.6 miles) takes you to one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the state, surrounded by lush green cliffs. If you are looking to shorten your hiking miles for the day, you can skip the trail and park right next to the waterfall.

Next up is Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi. This waterfall is absolutely stunning! We hiked the 0.8 mile trail down to the bottom of the falls, which I highly recommend if you are able. The terrain is a bit rough, with lots of steep spots, and if the waterfall is flowing heavy during your visit, it will be muddy. But it’s pretty epic to stand at the bottom of such a stunning waterfall. While you’re here, take a walk across the suspension bridge.

Next, head to Greeter Falls, located in Savage Gulf State Park. You can get to this fall by hiking the 1 mile loop, rated moderate. There are actually 2 waterfalls along this trail, but make sure to wear good shoes because it is steep and can definitely be muddy at times.

Before you reach Chattanooga, you have to stop at Foster Falls, located in South Cumberland State Park. This was my favorite waterfall of the day, and felt like you were walking through an enchanted forest and across the swinging bridge to get to the stunning falls.

Grab dinner in Chattanooga, and check into The Hotel Chalet for the next 2 nights, where you can sleep in a real train car! We adored this hotel- so unique!

Day 2: Lookout Mountain & Chattanooga

Start your day in Chattanooga with a visit to Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall hidden deep within Lookout Mountain. This guided cave tour and thundering underground waterfall is truly one of a kind, but do know that this cave experience has a less authentic feel, and has added many of the modern comforts (like lights, walking paths, and even mood music) to make it more enjoyable to those looking for a less “rustic” tour.

Afterward, drive up to Sunset Rock Viewpoint for panoramic views of the valley below. Even if you come mid-day, the views are still stunning. Then, head to Rock City Gardens, a whimsical mountaintop attraction filled with narrow passages, swinging bridges, and the famous “Seven States” viewpoint. It’s kind of a cross between a botanical garden and a rock garden, but it should definitely be on your list to visit. We had so much fun exploring all the fun spots here, like “fat man’s squeeze”.

In the afternoon, head downtown to cross the Market Street Bridge, a Chattanooga icon, and grab a cupcake from The Cupcake Kitchen. Spend the afternoon exploring either the Tennessee Aquarium or the Creative Discovery Museum, and cool off at Ross’s Landing if you are visiting in the summer. Even if you aren’t visiting during the summer, you should still check out this beautiful and historical site along the Trail of Tears.

Day 3: Caves, Waterfalls, and the Smoky Mountains

After checking out of The Hotel Chalet, head to The Lost Sea Adventure, which is just over an hour from Chattanooga. This is America’s largest underground lake, and after walking through the cave to get to the lake, you can take a boat ride across it. Definitely a very cool experience that we all enjoyed.

After the tour, drive on over to the west side of Smoky Mountain National Park. Your first stop will be Look Rock Viewing Platform to take in the sweeping views of the Smokies. This 0.5 mile trail is paved and perfect for families, and your kids will love climbing up to the top of the tower. This spot is a less popular version of Clingman’s Dome, so enjoy the view without the crowds.

For your afternoon activity, head to the Buckeye Trail to Spruce Flats Falls, one of the best kid friendly hikes in the park. Parking at this trailhead is limited, but it’s definitely worth waiting for a spot. The trail is 1.6 miles out and back, and moderately difficult with some incline, but has an incredible waterfall as the payoff. It’s pretty steep and rocky, so make sure you bring plenty of water and good shoes. 

For your first night in the Smokies, I highly recommend staying in Townsend, Tennessee. This town is referred to as the “peaceful side of the Smokies”, and is a great home base for exploring the area. We stayed at one of the tiny homes located in Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, and it was perfect for our family of 5. We loved having a full kitchen and space to spread out, plus the amenities offered here are great.

After you get settled in and have a quick dinner, take a drive through Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop filled with historic cabins, wildlife sightings, and mountain views. This is a popular drive and the road can get very congested during peak times, so I highly recommend waiting until the very end of the day to avoid some of the traffic. Plus, not much beats watching the sun set along this drive.

Day 4: Exploring the Smokies

Start your second day in the Smokies at Sugarland Visitor Center, where you can learn about the park’s history, pick up souvenirs, and earn a Jr. Ranger badge. Take a short hike to Cataract Falls, a peaceful forest waterfall located behind the visitor center. Do be aware that this is a very popular area, and both the Visitor’s Center and Cataract Falls will be busy. But don’t let that deter you from stopping- they are popular for a good reason!

Take a scenic drive along Newfound Gap road towards the Oconaluftee Visitor’s center, stopping at some of the lookouts along that way. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn of Oconaluftee with a stunning backdrop of the mountains, then spend some time exploring the Mountain Farm Museum.

Take a quick drive to Mingo Falls, which is a short but steep trail that leads to one of the most stunning waterfalls in the area.

On your way back from Mingo Falls, stop at Alum Cave Bluffs Trail for an afternoon hike. This trail winds through old-growth forest, past streams and natural arches, ending at a towering bluff that feels like a secret hideaway, and is such a fun spot for kids to play and explore. We especially loved all the bridges and water crossings.

Spend the night at Roamstead, a modern, family-friendly campground with cozy cabins, fire pits, and stunning mountain views.

Want more information on what to do in Smoky Mountain National Park? Check out this post: How to Spend 2 days in Great Smoky Mountain National Park with kids

Day 5: Exploring Gatlinburg

There are so many activities and places to explore in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so spend the day finding something that your family will enjoy here! We visited Anakeesta, which is a mountaintop adventure park perfect for all ages. Ride the scenic chairlift or gondola to the top of the mountain where the park is located, walk among the treetops on suspension bridges, take a ride on the mountain coaster, and let the kids play in the bird’s eye treehouses.

I would also suggest the Gatlinburg SkyPark as another unique adventure.

Enjoy lunch or dinner with a view, and maybe roast a marshmallow or two before heading back to Roamstead for another relaxing night surrounded by nature.

Day 6: Arches and Falls of Daniel Boone Forest

As we near the end of our road trip, we are going to head north into Kentucky to spend the day exploring the Daniel Boone National Forest. This area is stunning, and filled with tons of natural arches, waterfalls, and rugged beauty.

Start with Split Bow Arch (0.6-mile loop), a short but impressive trail, then move on to Koger Arch Trail (0.6 miles) and Yahoo Falls (1 mile), Kentucky’s tallest waterfall. Finish your day at the Natural Arch Scenic Area, a 1.4-mile loop with incredible views of the surrounding forest. There are so many other trails to choose from here, if you are feeling ambitious, but I the one’s listed are short, kid-friendly, with an epic payoff.

Stay in West Cumberland for the night.

Day 7: Arches, Caves, and the Final Adventure

On your final day, head to Pickett CCC Memorial State Park in Jamestown, Tennessee. There are tons of incredible places to explore here, and many of them include quick, family friendly hikes. Definitely check out Hazard Cave and Natural Bridge, and the Ladder Trail. Take a walk across the suspension bridge, and kayak along Pickett Lake if you have time.

Take one last deep breath of mountain air before heading home, full of memories, tired feet, and a camera roll packed with Tennessee magic.

Tips for Your Tennessee Road Trip

• Many of these trails are short but can be steep or rocky, so make sure you have good shoes. Here’s some of our favorites.
• Lots of your trip will be spent on the road exploring, so I recommend packing a cooler with lunch supplies and picnicking along the way. This will save you tons of time and money! We love this electric cooler.
• Smokey Mountain National Park has no entrance fee.
• Always leave nature better than you found it, and make sure to pack out all trash and waste with you.