Scenic Van Tours
The “Classic” Great Smoky Mountain Tour
Your all-encompassing highlight tour of the Smokies in three hours.
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
From$60 per person
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Your adventure starts here.
SMG is a premium, full-service adventure touring company offering guided outdoor activities, custom group experiences, and transportation throughout the Smoky Mountain region.
- Hundreds of 5-star reviews
- Guiding the Smokies since 2011
- Wilderness First Responder guides
- Small group van tours, max 10 guests
Choose your adventure
Six ways to experience the Smokies
From a 2-hour family nature walk to 4 nights on the Appalachian Trail, every trip is led by a professional local guide.
2–8 hoursGuided Day Hikes
Waterfalls, balds, and Appalachian Trail summits with a professional interpretive guide.
From $165 · View trips
- 3–8 hours
Small Group Van Tours
Comfortable, guided scenic tours to Newfound Gap, Kuwohi, Cades Cove, and beyond.
From $60 · View trips
1–5 nightsGuided Backpacking Trips
All-inclusive 1–4 night trips with permits, gear consultation, and backcountry meals handled.
From $250 · View trips
2 hours – multi-dayGuided Fly Fishing
Beginner-friendly instruction to multi-stream backcountry days. All gear provided.
From $200 · View trips
Half to full dayFlatwater Kayaking
Peaceful lake and river paddles with swimming holes, wildlife, and mountain reflections.
From $150 · View trips
3 hours – overnightSeasonal Tours
Synchronous fireflies, spring wildflowers, and fall color, guided by locals who track them daily.
From $85 · View trips
Guest favorites
Most-booked trips
Not sure where to start? These are the trips our guests book, and rebook, most.
Scenic Van ToursOver the Top
Adventure over the mountains and down into North Carolina.
- Duration
- Half day
- Difficulty
- Easy
From$110 per person
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Day HikesAppalachian Waterfalls
A gentle introduction to the Smokies, ending at a quiet waterfall.
- Duration
- ~4 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
From$180 for 1–3 guests
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Day HikesMt. LeConte Summit
The bucket-list hike of the Great Smoky Mountains.
- Duration
- Full day
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
From$310 for 1–3 guests
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Fly FishingHalf-Day Wade Trip
Four hours of instruction-focused fishing on wild mountain streams.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
From$250 for 1 angler
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KayakingGreat Smoky Half-Day Kayak
The peaceful side of the Smokies, convenient to Townsend.
- Duration
- ~4 hours on the water
- Difficulty
- Easy
From$175 per person
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BackpackingAppalachian Trail: 3-Day
Live a slice of the thru-hiker life on the A.T. through the Smokies.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$655 per person
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Seasonal ToursSynchronous Firefly Tour
One of nature’s rarest light shows, for just a few nights each year.
- Duration
- Evening
- Difficulty
- Easy
Live pricing
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort
Hotel lobby · 604 Airport Rd. Gatlinburg
Mon–Sat, 8am–3pm
Visit us in Gatlinburg
The Guide Room, your mountain adventure concierge
Find us in the lobby of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort. Talk with a guide, plan your days in the Smokies, and book the right adventure for your group, all in one stop.
Guided excursions & van tours
Hikes, backpacking, kayaking, fly fishing, and scenic tours.
Trip planning & reservations
Attraction tips, bookings, and group transportation.
Curated outdoor gear
Pick up what you need before you hit the trail.
See it for yourself
A day in the mountains with Smoky Mountain Guides
Ridgelines, waterfalls, and the stories behind them. Take a look at what a guided day in the most visited national park in the country really looks like.
- Guiding the Smokies
- 2011
- Every trail in the park, hiked
- 900 Miler
- Guests per small group tour
- 10 max
Simple from start to summit
How it works
Pick your adventure
Choose a trip, or tell us your group’s ages, fitness, and goals and we’ll recommend the right trail.
Book online in minutes
Real-time availability and instant confirmation. Just book at least 24 hours ahead.
Meet your guide
Most trips meet at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center (upper parking lot). Downtown hotel pickup is often available.
Limited-time events
Don’t miss the season
Wildflowers fade. Fireflies synchronize for only days. Fall color peaks briefly. Our guides track it all daily so you arrive at the peak.
March – May
Spring wildflower hikes
Over 1,500 flowering plant species, on trails chosen for peak bloom the week you visit.
Late May – early June
Synchronous fireflies
Thousands of lightning bugs flashing in unison for just a few nights each year.
Mid-Oct – early Nov
Fall color
Gold, crimson, and orange ridgelines, without losing hours to traffic.
3,000+
Smokies trail miles logged by guide David, a 900 Miler Club member who has hiked every trail in the park.
Why guests choose SMG
We’re not a meet-up group. We’re professional mountain guides.
The Smokies are the most visited national park in the country, with 850+ miles of trails, fast-changing weather, active wildlife, and limited cell service. Our job is to handle all of that so you can simply experience the mountains.
- Pre-trip weather and route review on every trip
- Guides trained in Wilderness First Aid / First Responder and CPR
- Wildlife protocol and emergency planning built in
- Routes chosen to avoid the crowds, matched to your ability
- Fresh, local meals that are often a highlight of the trip
- Real interpretation: Cherokee, settlers, loggers, and moonshiners
Private & corporate
Team building, retreats & private groups
Custom programs since 2011 for teams like Air France, KLM Cargo, Mars, and Alcoa. Family reunions, church groups, and celebrations too.
Plan a group experience
Smoky Rides · our sister company
Wedding, group & shuttle transportation
Just need a ride? Sprinter vans for weddings, corporate groups, and distillery tours, plus daily Mt. LeConte hiker shuttles.
Explore Smoky RidesHundreds of 5-star reviews
What our guests say
Real reviews from families, couples, and groups who explored the Smokies with us.
High Points tour, amazing!
“My husband, 11-year-old son, and I went on the High Points Tour with Clayton and he was able to customize the tour to our needs and went above and beyond what we expected. I can’t recommend them highly enough!”
Lynnette B.High Points Tour Fantastic waterfall hike
“Clayton was our guide and he was phenomenal. Beyond the waterfalls he explained a lot of the history of the settlers. He also showed us a lot of the plant life. Highly recommend.”
22rynelamWaterfall Hike We LOVED it!
“We took the “Classic” tour over spring break and absolutely loved it! He took us to many beautiful locations throughout the park and explained the history along the way. Very knowledgeable and accommodating!”
megand271The Classic Tour Above and beyond
“SMG went above and beyond to accommodate our needs.”
222DianePrivate Tour Worth every penny
“So much knowledge and insight.”
ekkarkoskiGuided Hike We really enjoyed the tour!
“Kind and friendly, super knowledgeable about the history.”
alannasantiagoVan Tour
Good to know
Questions, answered
Still deciding? Our team has been planning Smoky Mountain adventures for years and is happy to help.
When do your tours leave each day?
Small group van tours depart at 9am and 2pm. Hikes depart at 7:30am, 9am, and 2pm. Custom start times are available for private trips. Please book at least 24 hours in advance.
Where do tours start?
Most tours begin in the upper parking lot of the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 1011 Banner Rd., Gatlinburg, TN. If you’re lodging downtown, we can often pick you up from your lodging for an additional fee. Groups and private departures can be arranged for custom locations. North Carolina departures include Asheville lodging destinations and Brevard, NC.
How many people are on a tour?
We keep our small group van tours to a maximum of 10 for a premium experience, unless booked as a private trip, which we can scale to the size of your group. Our hikes are often private, or shared with just one other small group.
Will there be other people on my tour?
Often, our small group van tours will. We keep them small and personal. You also have the option to book any of our tours and trips as “private” to guarantee the experience you’d like.
When should we book?
Right now! Spots fill quickly, especially in summer, firefly season, and fall. All we ask is that you book at least 24 hours in advance.
What’s the best way to book?
Book online in a couple of minutes using any “Book Now” button. Prefer to talk it through or customize? Call us at 865-223-5397.
Your Smoky Mountain adventure starts here.
Book online in minutes, or call and we’ll help you choose the right trip for your group.
Or visit us at the Guide Room, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort lobby · Mon–Sat, 8am–3pm