Any places like Great Smoky Mountains NP in drivable distance from Houston?

About 10 years ago while we were stationed in TN, we went to GSMNP for our family summer vacation and we loved it! Planning another family trip before the youngest goes off to college this fall and really wanted to go back there but now we live in Houston, it’s too far to travel. Any suggestions for alternate destinations similar to GSMNP? We’re looking for somewhere;

-for 2 nights 3 days trip(the oldest doesn’t have many PTO left) -within 5-6 hours of driving(have to drive so that our 2 senior dogs can travel with us) from Houston -we can enjoy casual outdoor activities like short hiking and water activities(ex. kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing rental on site or swimming holes) -some historic/cultural sites to check out(we LOVED Cades Cove in TN!) -it has trees! -preferably outside of TX, so LA, OK or AR?