There’s nothing quite like an adventure in the mountains—which is probably why Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees a whopping 13 million visitors per year. This stunning stretch of the Appalachian mountain chain—North America’s oldest—straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Don’t get us wrong, it’s awesome… but there are also some amazing Great Smoky Mountains destination dupes well worth checking out if you’re looking for something less crowded, more budget friendly, and amenable to kids, pets, and everyone in between.
Without further ado, here are our top Great Smoky Mountains alternatives!
1. Crowd-Free Dupe: New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Offering similar sweeping views—and not all that distant from the destination it’s duping—West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park is a great option for campers who are looking for a similar vibe in a similar location, but with fewer crowds. (It’s also a great new destination for campers who may have already had the experience of exploring the Great Smoky Mountains.)
Along with stranger-free Insta snaps, visitors to New River Gorge can enjoy the opportunity to explore one of the newest national parks in the U.S. system—one that’s only been designated as such since December 2020. Which is to say, be sure you have your National Parks Passport handy, because this is one stamp you definitely won’t want to miss! The park is also only about an hour outside of Charleston, which offers fun urban adventures along with some excellent RV campgrounds.
Why It’s a Great Dupe:
- Dramatic canyons, rock cliffs, and the famous New River Gorge Bridge all provide sweeping views that rival the Smokies.
- Designated on December 27, 2020, New River Gorge National Park is one of the newest national parks in the U.S.—and remains something of a hidden gem, which is to say less crowded. (For example, compare its 1.5 million annual visitors to the Smokies’ 13 million).
- The park offers a peaceful, scenic experience with fewer tourists, perfect for those seeking solitude in nature.
Methodology:
- Compared visitor statistics from the National Park Service for crowd levels.
- Analyzed traveler feedback highlighting the less commercialized nature and serenity of New River Gorge.
- Evaluated the park’s geological features and landscapes for their similarities to the Smokies’ rugged terrain and river valleys.
2. Budget-Friendly Dupe: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Another similarly stunning park in a fairly nearby Appalachian locale, it would be wrong to call Shenandoah National Park the “poor man’s version” of the Smokies—but indeed, it is among the more budget-friendly Great Smoky Mountains alternatives out there!
Although Shenandoah’s entrance fee ($30 per private vehicle, which buys you seven consecutive days of entry) is technically higher than the Smokies (which is not a high bar, since Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free to visit), this small cost tends to throttle the number of visitors, which means you can enjoy its blissful landscape with fewer interlopers.
Plus, since it’s altogether a less popular park than its more southwesterly sister park, nearby eats and stays tend to be less overblown in terms of pricing. Indeed, there are some very well-appointed RV parks in the Shenandoah National Park area—which is also only about 90 minutes outside of Washington, D.C., for those looking to balance city and countryside outings.
Why It’s a Great Dupe:
- Features rolling mountains, scenic overlooks, and dense forests reminiscent of the Smokies—which, after all, are an extension of the same mountain range only a few hundred miles southwest.
- Shenandoah National Park assesses an affordable entrance fee of $30 per vehicle (compared to the free but often crowded Smokies), which helps control visitor numbers while still being budget-friendly.
- Lodging and camping options nearby are cheaper when compared to the tourist-heavy Smoky Mountain region.
Methodology:
- Compared entrance fees, lodging costs, and dining expenses in surrounding areas.
- Analyzed accessibility for budget-conscious road trippers.
- Assessed scenic drives and mountain landscapes for their resemblance to the Smokies.
3. Pet-Friendly Dupe: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
For families with furry household members, strict pet policies can be one of the biggest bummers when it comes to the National Parks. One great work-around: finding nearby natural landscapes that don’t bear quite that designation, but still preserve some of the most stunning scenery in our country.
For travelers who want to bring Fido wherever they go, North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest is an excellent destination dupe for Great Smoky Mountains National Park—not to mention one of the best pet-friendly travel destinations in the USA writ large. Tucked only a short drive away from Asheville (but with an expansive 500,000 acres to provide a lifetime’s worth of exploring opportunities), Pisgah National Forest is great for hiking with your pup, but also for more adventurous activities like whitewater rafting, waterfall chasing, and world-class rock climbing opportunities. The forest is your oyster—and here are the best nearby RV parks to call home base.
Why It’s a Great Dupe:
- Boasts stunning Appalachian Mountain scenery with waterfalls, dense forests, and miles of pet-friendly trails—not to mention ample adventurous to-dos that far surpass simple hiking.
- Unlike the Smokies, which restrict pets on most trails, Pisgah offers numerous dog-friendly routes like Looking Glass Rock Trail and Graveyard Fields Loop.
- Pisgah also features pet-welcoming campgrounds and cabins, and you’ll even find Fido-friendly outdoor dining spots in nearby Asheville.
Methodology:
- Researched pet policies and compared pet-accessible trails to the Smokies.
- Reviewed pet-owner testimonials on trail conditions and accessibility.
- Assessed landscape and trail variety to ensure a diverse outdoor experience for both pets and owners.
4. Family-Friendly Dupe: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Locals call Ohio “the heart of it all,” and it’s not just because the state border kind-of-sort-of resembles a heart if you squint at it. Along with its uber-friendly yet utterly cosmopolitan cities, Ohio also boasts some of the most stunning scenery around—yes, including a viable destination dupe for the Great Smoky Mountains.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park might not have the same towering mountain peaks that the Smokies can boast, but it does offer rolling waterfalls, cozy wooded trails, and over 125 miles of hiking trails—including many that are short and easy enough to make them comfortable for the littlest adventurers. Other family-friendly features include a historic railroad ride, informative-yet-fun educational programs and visitor center exhibits, and incredible wildlife watching opportunities—from coyote and deer to minks and beavers! Incredibly, all of this is just half an hour outside of the metropolitan sprawl of Cleveland, and you can find plenty of viable RV camping opportunities both in the city and closer to the park.
Why It’s a Great Dupe:
- Offers scenic wooded trails, waterfalls, and a historic railroad ride perfect for kids.
- Features the Brandywine Falls hike, which is short and easy for all ages.
- Includes interactive educational programs, visitor centers, and wildlife-watching opportunities the whole family will enjoy.
Methodology:
- Evaluated national park family-friendly rankings and visitor testimonials.
- Compared trail difficulty and accessibility for young children.
- Analyzed activity variety, including non-hiking options suitable for families.
5. Outdoor Adventure Dupe: Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
For those ready for a walk on the wilder side, Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest is an off-the-beaten path option worth exploring. Located about two hours east of Bowling Green and an hour and change northwest of Knoxville, Tennessee, this wilderness is one you have to be intentionally heading for—but for those who are willing to put in the time and energy, it pays dividends.
Rugged mountain terrains, stunning sandstone cliffs, and tumbling waterfalls offer vistas similar to those classic snaps from the Smokies, all streaked through with more than 600 miles of trails which include plenty of more challenging options. This destination is also well-known for rock climbing, horseback riding, and hunting—not to mention being home to Kentucky’s largest waterfall. (Psst: If you’re into such superlatives, you won’t want to forget to check out Mammoth Cave National Park on your way—and these nearby RV parks.)
Why It’s a Great Dupe:
- Rugged mountains, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and dense forests offer a similar vibe to the Smokies, but with a more adventurous edge.
- Offers a mix of hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and off-the-beaten-path camping.
- The Red River Gorge area is a paradise for adventure seekers, with world-class climbing and backcountry hiking.
Methodology:
- Compared to available outdoor activities beyond hiking.
- Researched adventure travel rankings and outdoor enthusiast reviews.
- Assessed terrain and biodiversity for resemblance to the Smoky Mountain experience.
As you can see, there are plenty of destination dupes for the Great Smoky Mountains that are well worth the trip in their own right… and some of them are so close by, you could even add them onto a journey to the park itself. Happy trails!
