Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Majestic rolling hills covered with lush
forestry, wild animals and gorgeous plant life have made Great Smoky Mountains
National Park the most visited park of its kind in the country. And while it’s
a phenomenal vacation destination, it’s still good to have a bit of a game plan
for the trip. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful information to give
you the best vacation ever!
1. Getting there
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a couple of entrances in
both Tennessee and North Carolina, so you’ve got a couple of options on how to
get to the park. Flights into Charlotte are generally going to be a little bit
cheaper, and have fewer connecting flights. The only thing you need to know is
you’ll have a three-hour drive to the Smokies, which give you a chance to check
out the local scenery. We recommend flying into Knoxville. Several major
Eastern cities have flights getting there with no more than one connecting
flight. And it’s only 35 minutes from TYS to the park’s entrance.
2. Where to stay
One of the cool things about this park is there are some really
awesome cabins you can rent. But don’t knock the hotels in this neck of the
woods. Places like Family Inns of America
Gatlinburg Suites is right on the edge of the park and near
other local attractions. Hampton Inn and Clarion Inn & Suites give
that name brand appeal with similar benefits. One of the gems for vacationers
is The Lodge at Buckberry
Creek, which is wonderfully cozy and close to nearby skiing areas.
3. Avoiding the crowds
Around nine million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National
Park, so finding a little peace and quiet while there can be a task. But you
can still find a bit of solitude at the park if you when to visit. The Smokies
has two peak seasons – mid-June to mid-August & October – where the park
gets really crowded and plenty of traffic delays, so it’s best to avoid
visiting during those times. And if you decide to brave the busy seasons, we
suggest visiting early in the day since many visitors tour the park from 10 am
to 6 pm.
4. What to see
Clingmans Dome
Want an epic photo to remember your trip to the Smokies? Look no
further than Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet. Take
some time while in the observation tower atop the point can offer views going
over 100 miles on a clear day. Just make sure you’re ready for a bit of a chill
because temperatures at the dome can range between 10-20 degrees cooler than in
the lowlands.
Rainbow Falls
Folks visiting the Roaring Fork area of the park will want to
make the hike along Rainbow Falls Trail to get to this breathtaking waterfall.
This 80-foot high waterfall produces rainbows in its mist during sunny
afternoons. We don’t want you thinking this is only a good place for when the
weather is nice as Rainbow Falls creates some really cool ice formations during
the wintertime.
Greenbrier Cove
This spot in the Smokies is just as much a history lesson as it
is beautiful to see in person. Greenbrier Cove was once home to Appalachian
families in the 1800s, with some of the descendants moving just outside of the
area when the national park was set up. You’ll find some cemeteries with
headstones for people probably born before your grandmother’s grandmother
within these wooded environs. You’ll also discover serene bodies of water
running throughout, such as Little Pigeon River and Porters Creek (pictured
above). Even better than the visit is the fact this area is one of the places
off the beaten path from the heavier tourist traffic areas, so you can enjoy it
without much disruption.
Photo by Chris M. Morris/Flickr.
Cataloochee
Like we mentioned just a moment ago, Great Smoky Mountains
National Park has spots where people not only live, but thrived. Cataloochee
Valley was once home to around 1,200 people in the early 1900s. Many of the
folks made their living by farmer, but there were some families that boarded
tourists at the time looking to vacation in the mountains. There are several
buildings preserved in this area to give you a great look at the craftsmanship.
The valley is also known for being a spot to see the park’s wildlife in action
– white-tailed deer, elk, raccoons, turkeys, black bears and more.
Photo by Jim Liestman/Flickr.
Blooming shrubs and wildflowers
You know there’s tons of wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, but the place is teeming with beautiful plant life. The Smokies
have over 1,500 different kinds of flowering plants around the park, and
another nine flowering shrubs. Flower lovers should definitely make it to the
park in late April for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage to check out the
plants, but also take photographic tours and indoor seminars.
Photo by Steve Harwood/Flickr.
