If you’re looking for a Middle Prong Trail Townsend TN guide before deciding if it’s worth adding to your trip, this ended up being one of my favorite hikes I've done in the Smokies. It’s an easy, scenic hike that doesn’t feel overcrowded, and you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re getting a lot out of it.
We did this in the afternoon after lunch, and it worked perfectly as a low-effort, high-reward stop (which I’m always looking for by that point in the day).
If you’re mapping out your full trip, check out my guide on Best Things to Do in Townsend, TN (Peaceful Side of the Smokies Guide) to figure out what’s worth adding to your trip.
The Middle Prong Trail is located in the Tremont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Townsend.
Getting there is straightforward, but you do have to pay attention at the beginning.
Start at the Townsend “Y” and head toward Cades Cove on Laurel Creek Road. Almost immediately (seriously, don’t miss it), you’ll turn left about 0.2 miles in.
From there:
It’s a bit of a drive back there, but that’s honestly part of why it’s so good — fewer people make it all the way out.
Parking is fairly easy, but it is limited. The lot holds around 20+ cars, so it can fill up, especially during peak season.
You’ll also need a Smoky Mountains parking pass, which you can grab online or at a visitor center before heading in.
Also worth knowing — there is no cell service out here. I downloaded offline maps ahead of time, which made a difference once we got deeper into the area.
The full trail is just over 8 miles and forms a loop, but you absolutely do not have to do the whole thing to enjoy it.
We only hiked about a mile, and it still took us a while because there is so much to stop and look at along the way.
You’re walking along the river almost the entire time, and there are constant small cascading waterfalls and streams. The scenery doesn’t really let up, which is what makes this trail feel so rewarding without having to go far.
The biggest thing that stood out to me was how much of the trail runs right along the water.
I wasn’t expecting that, and it ended up being my favorite part.
We saw people fly fishing, there were multiple spots where you can walk right up to the river, and the sound of the water is basically your background noise the entire time.
There are also benches along the trail, which makes it easy to stop, sit, and take it in instead of rushing through (we definitely took advantage of that).
Based on what we did, I would consider this an easy hike.
There’s a slight incline, but nothing intense. And because there are so many natural stopping points, it never feels overwhelming.
If you decide to do the full loop, that’s more of a commitment, but doing a shorter portion like we did is manageable for most people.
The trail is mostly wide and easy to follow, but there are some muddy spots where water crosses over parts of the path.
I’d recommend wearing good hiking shoes here, especially if you plan to explore off the main trail or get closer to the river.
I also like having a small crossbody that keeps everything hands-free — this is the one I use that doubles as a wallet (or key) and phone holder, which makes it easier when you’re climbing over rocks or walking on uneven ground.
There are so many good photo opportunities along this trail, but the best ones usually take a little extra effort.
We found some of our favorite spots by:
If you’re willing to move around a bit, you’ll find better views than just staying on the main path.
I went in early spring later in the day, and it wasn’t crowded at all. I saw people, but it still felt quiet and peaceful.
If you’re coming from outside the area, it helps to stay close so you’re not adding extra drive time to your day. I usually recommend looking at hotels near Townsend so everything stays within a short drive.
If you want to add something more structured to your trip, you can also book a guided hiking or nature tour here — especially helpful if you want more background on the area without planning it yourself.
This is exactly how we structured our day, and I would do it the same way again.
Start with Tuckaleechee Caverns in the morning, grab lunch at Peaceful Side Social, then head here in the afternoon.
It breaks the day up perfectly, and this trail feels like the right way to end it without committing to a long, exhausting hike.
If you want a full breakdown of the cave experience before planning your morning, see my full review of Tuckaleechee Caverns Townsend TN to know what to expect.
I would absolutely recommend this hike, especially if you like being near the water.
It’s calm, scenic, and easy to adjust based on how far you want to go.
If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-reward trail that still feels like you got out and did something, this is a solid choice.
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Three neighborhoods, one streetcar, and more Cincinnati specialties than I could finish in one afternoon.
We hit a goetta breakfast sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream from a shop that’s been at it since 1870, a Liège waffle that earned its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spot, and Cincinnati chili the way it’s actually meant to be eaten... over a hot dog, buried in shredded cheddar.
$75 got us three and a half hours, a local guide, free streetcar rides, and a genuinely full stomach. Don’t eat breakfast before this one, the portions add up fast.
My third Secret Food Tour in my third city, and it’s still undefeated.
Link in bio for the full review cost, route, parking, and every stop we hit 🥟🌶️
13 creek crossings, a canyon that keeps closing in around you, and a hike I’d genuinely put back on my itinerary, West Fork Trail was the one.
We got to Call of the Canyon at 7:15am and the lot was barely a quarter full. By 12:30 it was 85% full, so if there’s one tip that matters most, it’s this: go early.
The maintained trail is 6.6 miles round trip, mostly flat, mostly shaded, but I kept my regular tennis shoes dry the whole way by hopping across the rocks at each crossing. It’s rated moderate, and honestly that’s about the distance, not the terrain.
Here’s what nobody tells you though ✨ the maintained trail isn’t the end. We changed into water shoes at the official endpoint and kept going another mile straight through the creek, canyon walls narrowing around us the whole time. That extra mile ended up being my favorite part of the entire hike.
5/5 for me. I’d bring the water shoes again in a heartbeat.
Link in bio for the full guide parking, timing, what to pack, and everything I wish I knew before I went 🥾
Two hours, zero regrets. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is hands down one of the most fun things we did in Sedona.
Open-air Jeeps crawling over slickrock, backcountry views you can’t reach on your own, and the famous Road of No Return, steep, thrilling, and somehow completely safe the whole way down.
If you’re picking one paid activity in Sedona, make it this one.
You have to do @pinkjeeptours 🌵🚙 Link in bio for the full review.
Dinner beside Oak Creek at Cress, and yes, it’s a splurge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.🤍
Candlelit tables under the trees, the creek running right beside us, a menu that mixes Arizona ingredients with French technique. We ordered a little of everything: the squash and beet salad, milk rolls with three different butters, sweet potato gnocchi that somehow felt light instead of heavy. Then two desserts because we couldn’t decide. The Vanilla Crème Caramel with Manchego cheese completely stole the show, salty and sweet in a way that sounds strange until you taste it.
Plan on $100–250 for two depending on what you order, and this isn’t the spot for a quick casual dinner, it’s slow, intentional, and worth every minute. Book ahead and ask for a creekside table if you can.
If you’re looking for one unforgettable meal in Sedona, this is it. Link in bio for the full review 🍽️
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