This could be a hot take, but I think the Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most underrated points-and-miles spots in the U.S.
Between free park access, easy airport connections, and close towns with hotels, cabins, and experiences you can book with credit card points, visiting the Smoky Mountains using points and miles is surprisingly easy and just super fun.
Let’s break down how to plan a Smoky Mountains trip using points and miles, from flights and cabins to park access and pancake breakfasts.
Why the Smoky Mountains Are a Great Points Destination
Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers both Tennessee and North Carolina, with easy access from cities like Knoxville (TYS) and Asheville (AVL). Both airports are small but well-connected, especially if you’re using transferable points from Chase, American Express, Capital One, and so on.
The park itself is free to enter (a rare win!), and the surrounding towns (such as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, and even Asheville) give you flexibility when it comes to lodging. That’s where points, travel credits, and “cover your purchase” perks come in handy.
Whether you want a rustic cabin, a chain hotel, or a city stay near great food, there’s a way to make your points work here.
💡 Don’t Miss: This kind of trip is exactly why we’re so obsessed with transferable points — are you earning them?
When Should You Visit the Smokies?
The Smoky Mountains are open year-round, but each season has its own feel:
Spring (April to May): Wildflowers everywhere, cooler temps, and a little rain, but still great.
Summer (June to August): Peak season with full trail access and busy towns, so make sure to book early.
Fall (September to October): Absolutely insane foliage, and crowded, but very, very worth it.
Winter (November to March): Quieter and cozy with some road closures, but overall a great cabin season (and usually a bit cheaper!).
If you want fewer crowds and decent points availability, late April, early May, or November are my personal sweet spots.
Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park With Points
World of Hyatt
Under the Canvas Gatlinburg (Mr&Mrs Smith): Starting around 16,500 Hyatt points per night. (Transfer 1:1 from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®)
Hyatt Place Knoxville / Downtown — Around 15,000 Hyatt points per night
Under the Canvas Gatlinburg / Photo courtesy of Hyatt
👉 Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Earning World of Hyatt Points
Marriott Bonvoy
Courtyard Gatlinburg Downtown — Starting at 33,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Aloft Asheville Downtown — Starting around 41,000 points per night
👉 Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Hilton Honors
The Park Vista – DoubleTree Gatlinburg — Around 26,000 Hilton points per night.
The Park Vista DoubleTree Gatlinburg / Photo courtesy of Hilton
👉 Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Earning Hilton Honors Points
IHG One Rewards
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort (Gatlinburg) — Often around 35,000 IHG points per night. (Use the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card for the fourth-night-free perk on award stays)
👉 Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Earning IHG One Rewards Points
Other Stay Options
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa — Not tied to any major hotel programs, but a great option if Dollywood is part of your trip. Hotel and general travel credits (like the one from the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card would come in handy here)
Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains — Varies widely, but hovers around $150 per night, which is a great price for the location
The Omni Grove Park Inn (Asheville) — Book it with your American Express Platinum Card® to unlock daily breakfast, property credits, late checkout, and potential upgrades.
Chase’s “The Edit” — Boutique properties in Asheville and Knoxville sometimes show up here, making it easy to stack a premium stay with points earning and elevated perks when you don’t want to burn hotel points. So, it’s definitely worth a quick search.
Photo courtesy of dollyparton.com
✨ Pro Tip: For luxury stays, paying cash and stacking elite perks and statement credits is sometimes better than burning points.
Renting a Cabin Near the Smoky Mountains
Listen… I love a good hot tub moment. So if that’s your vibe, then a cabin could be the way to go.
Most cabins aren’t part of big hotel chains, but that doesn’t mean points are useless here. This is where flexible travel credits come in clutch:
Venture X: Use miles to cover cabin rentals booked directly or through sites like VRBO or Airbnb.
Sapphire Reserve: The $300 annual travel credit can offset cabin costs.
Airbnb: Consider buying Airbnb gift cards at grocery stores using a card that earns bonus points (👋 American Express® Gold Card).
✨ Another Pro Tip: Cabins often require a minimum stay on weekends, which is yet another way travel credits can beat points here.
What to Do in the Smoky Mountains (And How to Pay With Miles)
The great things about the Smokies are that your days can be as packed or as slow as you want. You can wake up early for sunrise hikes, or you can sip coffee on your deck for hours upon hours… and both are valid.
If you’re hiking, some trails stand out: Clingmans Dome, Alum Cave Trail, and Grotto Falls are all popular for a reason.
If you aren’t feeling a full-on hike, Cades Cove is the move. This scenic loop is great for wildlife, and it’s one of the easiest ways to experience the park without committing to a long trek.
Outside the park, the Smokies have tons of bookable experiences. Ziplining, guided nature walks, whitewater rafting, and even photography tours are easy to find through platforms like Viator. This is where flexible miles are clutch, since you can book the experience, then cover the purchase using Capital One miles.
👉 Don’t Miss: How to Pay for Anything with Points
And yes… Dollywood is as incredible as you’ve heard (at least, in my opinion).
Whether you’re going for the rides, the shows, or just the cinnamon bread, it’s an iconic stop. Tickets aren’t cheap, but covering them with Capital One miles or a Sapphire Reserve travel credit makes it feel a lot more reasonable.
Heads Up: Dollywood closes for some of the season each year, so make sure you check the calendar before planning your trip. Here’s the one for 2026.
Where to Eat Near the Smokies
Food in the Smokies is very “Southern comfort” as you would imagine. You’ll find a lot of warm staples and generous portions.
In Gatlinburg, The Greenbrier is a standout if you want something a little fancier (think Appalachian-inspired dishes with an upscale atmosphere). Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is famous for a reason, and while the portions are borderline illegal, it’s worth it at least once. And Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant is a classic stop that I have personally been to countless times… and it never gets old.
If you’re spending time in Asheville, the food scene definitely levels up there. Cúrate is worth the splurge, Good Hot Fish is great for something casual, and Sunny Point Cafe is a solid brunch option after a long hike.
💳 Card Tip: This is prime Amex Gold territory since dining adds up quickly here, and those points are easy to use for future flights.
Sample Smoky Mountains Weekend Itinerary
Day One: Fly into Knoxville, grab your rental car, and make a grocery stop before heading toward the mountains. Check into your cabin or hotel, unpack, and get all settled in. This is a great night for grilling, takeout, or a low-key dinner in Gatlinburg, followed by a hot tub soak if you booked wisely.
Day Two: Start early with coffee and a park drive, then knock out one of the park’s signature hikes before the crowds get nuts. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Cades Cove or booking a guided experience like ziplining or rafting. Dinner can be casual or elevated, depending on your energy, but you’ll have plenty of options either way.
Day Three: Hit Clingmans Dome or a waterfall trail in the morning, grab brunch on the way out, and start the drive home feeling refreshed from a few days in the mountains.
📌 Planning a trip like this gets a lot easier when your cards work together. A strong travel-and-dining combo, like the Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Gold can help you earn points before the trip, and save money during it.
Pro Tips for Visiting the Smokies
Timing is honestly your best friend. Early mornings and weekdays are your best bet for avoiding crowds, especially during peak fall foliage season. Download offline maps before you enter the park since service can be spotty.
Layering is also super important. The weather can change quickly, and temperatures at higher elevations are often much cooler than in town. And while the park is free to enter, don’t forget to grab your parking tag ahead of time to avoid any crazy fines.
Bottom Line
This is exactly the kind of trip I love using points for.
Nothing is super complicated; it’s just a solid getaway spot with good food, beautiful hikes, and a place where your credit card points (or credits) can save you money along the way.
Whether you’re booking a hotel, renting a cabin, or covering a few random charges with miles, the Smokies are super approachable and one of the easiest places to turn everyday rewards into a genuine getaway.
