How to Earn Rewards for Hiking in the Smokies

Hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the highlight of many vacations to the Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re an avid hiker, or you spend a lot of time in the Smoky Mountains throughout the year, you should be rewarded for all of the hours you spend on the trails. So, take the challenge with your entire family and ‘Hike the Smokies’ together.

First, you must purchase a small booklet to record your miles throughout the park. The booklets only cost $1.00 each and are available at any of the visitor centers in the park. Sugarlands Visitor Center is the most popular location to pick up the booklets, because it can be found at the entrance to the national park from Gatlinburg.

After you hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, record the miles you have hiked. Once you reach 10 miles, 25 miles, 40 miles and 50 miles, families will be rewarded with a sticker or mileage pin as well as be noted in the “Hike the Smokies-For Families” record book.

Visitors don’t have to hike different trails or different difficulties. Even if you hike the same trail, day after day on your vacation, your miles count! So, make sure you record all of your footsteps through the mountains!

When you are planning your adventure into the mountains, take a look at Visit My Smokies’ website that is filled with hiking tips and information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While you are there, you can also take a look at all of the great lodging, attractions and restaurants in the area!