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Parking tags are required to be associated with a specific license plate number. And when you're ready to bed down, beeline for The Swag. All campgrounds have running water, flush toilets, picnic tables, and firepits but no showers or electrical hookups. In Gatlinburg, there are seemingly endless dining options to choose from, and the crowds can be overwhelming. If you're physically able, continue on foot for a steep uphill climb with a big payoff: stunning 365-degree views of the surrounding Smokies. >> The Oconaluftee Visitor Center serves the North Carolina entrance on the southern park border. The museum was built with actual Titanic blueprints, recreating the majesty of this ship. Required fields are marked *. Good displays of wildflowers can be seen along the first 1.5 miles of trail. Whether you arrive during the rich, green days of spring and summer, the crazy quilt of autumn color or the sparkling white of winter, your drive through the roads of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is guaranteed to be an adventure in itself. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Wikipedia Wears Valley is the best place to experience true Southern charm and endless mountain scenery. Like much of western North Carolina, Bryson City is charming, outdoorsy, and beautiful. Erected in the late 1800s for George Vanderbilt, grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the lavish country home sits on a 125,000-acre tract south of town. Note: More hikes are included in the Waterfall section of this post. The natural beauty and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched! There are three entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, and every one takes you into a section of the 800 square miles of unspoiled Appalachia. Under new management, the land would be the home of the future Fontana Dam (and the resulting Fontana Lake). This rugged and winding gravel road isn't for the faint of heart but provides a beautiful first impression of the park. There are also some private shuttle services that service the surrounding towns. Or consider visiting in early November, when youll catch lingering fall colors and no crowds perfect. Gatlinburg, TN 37738 The leconte lodge usually also sells out a year in advance as well. Visit our fees webpage to learn more about parking tags. Temperatures peak, too, with highs often climbing above 80 degrees during the day. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and partners to offer adaptive You cant fly directly to the park or even to its front door. Take your time and discover the grandeur of this special place. Like the Cherokee before them, these later inhabitants had a hard time holding onto their land as ideas and support behind the National Park gained traction. Six miles of mostly gravel road follow the river and its tributaries into the upper Greenbrier area. Alternatively, the budget-friendly Cherokee KOA Campground rents both deluxe cabins (with full bathrooms and showers) and basic camping ones (with the use of the campground bathhouse). Cataloochee How to Get There: The Cataloochee entrance lies on the North Carolina side of the park. And their proximity to the park and to each other make a day trip a breeze. We hope this was a helpful introduction to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road to the soaring mountain detours from Newfound Gap Highway about 7 miles south, taking you to within a half-mile of the namesake observation tower. Heading underground into Tuckaleechee Caverns, a mile-long limestone cave system, rewards you with otherworldly views of towering stalagmites, sparkling streams, and Silver Falls, a 210-foot underground waterfall. The pass is valid at over 2,000 National Parks and 10% of the sale proceeds are donated to the National Park Foundation, helping to keep our parks beautiful! Lake traffic dissipates in the fall, but that's actually one of the best times to be on the water. There's a bonus for taking the road (or lake) less traveled, he adds: Black bear sightings are likely as they come down from the treetops to feed on the roe left behind by spawning fish.". Location: Split nearly even between eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, Highest peak: Clingmans Dome, at 6,643 feet, Miles/number of trails: 850 miles along 150 trails, Best way to see it: Along its well-maintained roadways, When to go for nice weather and fewer crowds: Just before mid-June and in September. Learn more below. Ramsey Cascades is another popular trail in the area with good wildflower viewing opportunities. Cascading waterfalls, roaming wildlife and a view that stretches out over 500,000 acres this is the countrys most-visited national park. While youre there, climb to the top of the observation tower, soar through the trees on a zip line, or relax with a cocktail at The Bar At The Top Of The World. The humid summer weather subsides in September, and crowds start to thin out. When the leaves begin to change, you can see all of the bright reds, yellows and oranges from any spot in the Wears Valley area. Check out our. It was impacted by the 2016 fires, but the downtown was spared. Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers more than 500,000 acres so theres a lot to see. The Baxter Creek Trail takes you up Mt. Backpackers can access primitive backcountry sites with a reservation plus five drive-in horse camps with primitive camping facilities, and hitch racks provide easy access to backcountry horse trails. Fuel up for a busy day of exploring at the Pancake Pantry, a longtime (since 1960) Gatlinburg favorite that serves a mouthwatering range of sweet offerings, such as Banana Pineapple Triumph pancakes topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. No An official form of the United States government. The Mountain Farm Museum is also here and includes a large cleared field that elk love to graze in. There are plenty of fun things to do here, but the crowds and traffic are awful for pretty much every holiday and every season but winter. The resort also has an on-site spa and outdoor pool. Completed sections of the Foothills Parkway are open year-round, weather permitting. If you do, youll need to figure out transportation from either end of your hike. Grab a bite at Bogarts Restaurant and Tavern, which has been serving steaks and burgers to Waynesville residents since 1977. Eventually, with the development of the park, Elkmonts residents headed elsewhere. There was an error submitting your subscription. Delve deeper into the tribe's 11,000-year-old history through interactive exhibits and cultural displays at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Hikers, sightseers, spelunkers, white-water rafting fans and waterfall enthusiasts flock to Great Smoky Mountains National Park throughout the year to enjoy this enchanting swath of Appalachian wilderness located on the border of eastern Tennessee and North Carolina. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Gatlinburg, I found peaceful mountain cabins and thrilling rides during my first visit in April. In 1994, Elkmont was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If youre feeling adventurous, hop out, hike four miles, and witness the tallest falls in the Smokies at Ramsey Cascades. Read up on regulations, trail closures, and permitting here. Lastly, the locals that live nearby and want to make spontaneous trips to their local national park can get Annual parking passes ($40). The following drive times do not consider traffic. There are two main entrances, one in Cherokee, NC and another in Gatlinburg, TN. Enjoy Your Visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Thank you so much, Laura. Its similar to Gatlinburg, but further from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so itll take longer to battle through traffic to get into the park from here. It has James Beard award-winning restaurants including The Barn (which accepts reservations from non-guests), known for its dishes crafted from seasonal and local ingredients. We have been exploring as many as we can! In terms of places to stay, there are two great options: Little Arrow Resort, in Townsend, has safari-style tents, Airstreams, tiny houses, and full-sized vacation homes that sleep up to 12. See all things to do Great Smoky Mountains National Park 5 2,518 reviews #13 of 91 things to do in Gatlinburg National Parks Visit website Call Write a review About Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. Driving Directions to the Gatlinburg Entrance From interstate highway I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN-66 South. Or try the brutal but beautiful 13-mile Low Gap Trail - Appalachian Trail - Snake Den Trail loop. For great views of the neighboring mountains, hop on Gatlinburgs aerial tramway. Bryson City is less busy and not as touristy as Gatlinburg but still has all its small mountain town charm. Theres a blue haze that settles on the Smoky Mountains and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains but is it really smoke? In 2021, a parking tag fee was trialed in the park. Summer is packed, but the crowds start to thin out when fall rolls around. Theres hundreds of hiking trails in the Smokies, plenty of wildlife to see and lots of great picnic areas, like the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, for enjoying a relaxing lunch or dinner. Gatlinburg Entrance The most popular entry point to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Gatlinburg entrance, thanks to its convenient proximity to the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! }, How to Get to Bellagio from Milan in 5 Easy Steps, The Closest Beach to Columbia, SC: 20 Great Ocean & Lake Beaches. Discovered this entrance several years ago. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Ghost jokes! The closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Knoxville, TNs McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). The drive to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead provides good wildflower viewing from your car, while the Porters Creek Trail makes a good wildflower walk. Soon, though, the surrounding mountains were bare as tends to happen when subject to aggressive logging. The dam built in the early 1940s to provide electricity during World War II is the tallest in Eastern US, and the Appalachian Trail crosses it before entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cosby is an out-of-the-way area of the national park that is a favorite among locals and long-time Smokies visitors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. I havent had a chance to do this yet, but its supposed to be spectacular. Learn More Fire Mountain Trails The Fire Mountain Trails are Cherokee's newest source for big adventurea multiuse trail system that's made to mountain bike, hike, or run. They have to let anyone and everyone pass through the park on the highway. PHOTO BY: Zoonar GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo. For those who want a little bit of excitement without, If youd rather leave the navigation to a pro, join a guided paddleboard tour with, For breakfast, get an early start and head to, For dinner in Gatlinburg, you can find a top-notch meal off the beaten path at, You cant leave Sevierville without eating (and drinking) at, A visit to North Carolina isnt complete without eating some barbeque, and, If youre interested in having a few more amenities at your disposal, check out. Reaching the only in-park accommodations (besides camping) requires a 5.5-mile hike and physical endurance, but you're rewarded with stellar sunrises and sunsets and star-filled night skies. Six other entrances lead into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do You Know the Secret Entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Renting a kayak or paddleboard or hopping on a guided sunset cruise are all great ways to enjoy the splendor of the Smokies from a different perspective. Hike to Ramsey Cascades, the Smokies' tallest waterfall. In an attempt at restitution, the government promised to build a road to replace the flooded one that led to their old communities and family gravesites. Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! Every trip to the Smokies begins with a drive on the Newfound Gap Road, so pack a picnic and see highlights along the way, including the Sugarlands Visitor Center, Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome Road, Ocanaluftee Valley and Mingus Mill. We liked camping at Irenes campground in Townsend and then on into Gatlinburg by way of Wears Valley. >> Can You Just Drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park? This group, the Oconaluftee Cherokee, had an advisor William H. Thomas who grew up among them and helped them with legal matters. Accommodations within the park, however, are limited, unless you want to camp. Then, if you're up for more physical activity, tackle the 5.4-mile (round-trip), moderately strenuous hike to Rainbow Falls, which begins just beyond the farmstead. If you want to escape the crowds of Gatlinburg and get an amazing meal on the Tennessee side of the Smokies, Seviervilles got some great options. This little towns population hovers around 4,000 residents but theres no shortage of things to do. You won't be eating lavishly here. And it's a great way to experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains - drive-thru style. This national park also has several secondary park entrances. So how do you get to this magical wonderland? LeConte, the third highest peak in the Smokies, and is the highest guest lodge in the eastern U.S. No roads lead to this lodge, and getting here requires hiking one of the trails (ranging in length from 5 to 9 miles). more information on current conditions Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Distances from downtown Asheville are shown in parenthesis. Top 3 Entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park 12 Epic Things to Do in Smoky Mountain National Park (& MASSIVE Travel Each gateway town has its own personality, but most don't get as much press as well-known Gatlinburg. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. The Tennessee-North Carolina state line bisects the park, as does the famous Appalachian Trail hiking trail, so we suppose you could also hike into the park if you prefer. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money. Day-trippers can break here for lunch as well. Several trails begin at the tunnel parking lot. In October, even cooler temperatures arrive, usually ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, along with a new surge of visitors.