About A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods is a locally owned guide service that has been leading hiking, backpacking, and driving tours through Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998. Based in Gatlinburg, the company was awarded the 2025 Sevier County Attraction of the Year and has consistently ranked among the top-rated outdoor experiences in East Tennessee. Their guides are licensed by the National Park Service and know the park's 800+ miles of trail intimately.
Day hikes range from easy waterfall walks suitable for families to strenuous full-day treks to panoramic overlooks along the Appalachian Trail. Multi-day guided backpacking trips are available for those who want to camp in the backcountry, with the company handling permits, meal planning, and optional gear rental. They also offer scenic driving tours for visitors who want to see the park's highlights without the hike.
What distinguishes A Walk in the Woods is the personal, small-group format — tours are capped at a handful of guests so guides can tailor the pace, route, and storytelling to the group. Guides double as photographers, capturing candid shots of guests throughout the hike. For first-time visitors to the Smokies who want to go beyond the roadside pulloffs, this is one of the best ways to experience the park.
