Great Smoky Mountains National Park seems endless with its vistas of rolling mountains like waves running into the distance – but hidden in the middle of it all is a beautiful flat valley of almost 7,000 acres, a haven for wildlife of all kinds, and human visitors. This is Cades Cove, the most popular destination… Read more »
Taking a scenic drive is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With almost 400 miles of roadway in the park and the surrounding scenic area, you can drive to specific locations to enjoy, as well as tour through steadily changing vistas of great beauty…. Read more »
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a remarkable accomplishment by the National Park Service, a slow and easy drive through nature that’s as richly rewarding as a hike or nature ramble, with beautiful scenic views, along a mountain river and through lush forest teeming with wildlife, but in the comfort of your car. Situated just… Read more »
The park has over 150 maintained hiking trails, offering more than 850 miles of hiking. Here’s our definitive guide to hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including a trail map of the national park, links and resources, most popular trails – AND the hidden gems, easy strolls, nature trails and best hikes…Read more »
The Nature Trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are short and fairly easy trails developed by park rangers with the non-hiker in mind. They’re self-guiding, and some even have brochures that point out the many things to notice. Even though many of them are quite easy, and suitable for families with small children and… Read more »
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 2,000 miles of running water, and its folded topography allows for rocky slopes at every elevation and almost literally around every corner. Water plus sloping rock equals waterfall – and the park has them in abundance. Gatlinburg is the center for visiting these falls…Read more »
The Quiet Walkways of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are short and relatively easy trails that lead directly from the road and plunge quickly into selected areas of natural beauty. They offer a peaceful and rewarding experience, and some of them are easy enough for any non-hiker to take a walk in the woods…Read more »
Here are some of the best places to take an easy walk, even by wheelchair, and still enjoy the natural outdoors of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, without having to take a strenuous hike. Many places are accessible even for families with young children or the challenged, in the national park and surrounding area…Read more »
Chimneys Picnic Area is a popular section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with parking, picnic tables, grills and bathrooms. On Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC, easily accessible from both sides of the park, it has 68 picnic sites, some directly on the riverside, and shady spots to relax in…Read more »
Little River Trail is perfect for people with no hiking experience. We recommend it for families, and all ages, although not suitable for baby strollers or wheelchairs. There’s no need for hiking boots or any gear beyond a small backpack, some water bottles, and maybe some snacks. Sneakers and shorts is fine…Read more »
Little River Road is best known as the road to Cades Cove from Gatlinburg. It starts at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just a very short drive south from Gatlinburg and meanders along the Little River, offering spectacular scenery, overlooks, waterfalls and other natural attractions…Read more »
UPDATE: Friday, November 9, 2018 – this week has seen the absolute bursting of color everywhere, still on the mountain slopes and now down in the lower lands also. It’s always hard to pick the peak, and this year it was thrown even later in the year by the warm summer. But the colors for… Read more »
Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is allowed year-round, every day, from 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after official sunrise and sunset respectively. The park is one of the last habitats in the eastern US for wild trout. The park doesn’t stock fish, but with almost 3,000 miles of running water throughout… Read more »
Camping is abundant in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the options range from rugged to luxurious. Full information on the variety of options and campsites can be found at the park’s website. Here’s our quick guide to all your options. Backcountry camping involves hiking to a camp site located deep in the park away… Read more »
The twin peaks of Chimney Tops present some of the finest panoramic views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Chimney Tops trail is one of the most popular trails in the park, and yet it’s not exactly easy. Although fairly short, the trail is very steep and quite challenging, but the rewards are what people… Read more »
Rich Mountain Road offers an alternative way to leave Cades Cove if you want to take a break from the traffic. It’s a one-way, 7-mile journey on a twisting gravel road that leads to Townsend. The road winds through quiet forest that often features excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature photography…Read more »
Waterfalls are one of the most popular sights to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re in the mood for discovery, one of the hidden gems of the park requires a short – but tricky – hike with some beautiful views, on a less well known trail that leads to a stunningly beautiful waterfall. This is Spruce Flats Falls trail…Read more »
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 1,500 black bears in the wild. With ten million human visitors each year, the park pulls off a remarkable feat keeping the wildlife wild, and the humans tame – so we guests in the park don’t damage the animals, their well being or their habitat. Everyone… Read more »
Festivals happen all year in the Smoky Mountains area of Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, and hundreds of thousands of people plan their visits according to particular events and seasonal activities. Here’s a calendar of seasonal festivities to help you plan your stay…Read more »
In Pigeon Forge there’s one show you don’t want to miss and it’s Country Tonite. The spectacular show features a variety of song, choreography, comedy and costume, impressive for the sheer quality of the talented performances and the seamless flow of the fast-paced, dynamic show…Read more »
Try some Southern entertainment, Pigeon Forge style, at dinner shows featuring some of the nation’s top performers. Here’s a sample of what to expect. Can the Hatfields and McCoys finally solve their differences after all of these years feuding with each other? Probably not, but one thing is guaranteed – everyone in your family will… Read more »