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. No, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free to enter and drive around. At the main intersection in Sevierville, continue straight onto US-441 South. Cosby is an out-of-the-way area of the national park that is a favorite among locals and long-time Smokies visitors. Discovered this entrance several years ago. Awesome information with great tips. Designed for those summiting Mount Le Conte, the park's third-highest mountain (elevation 6,594 feet), the Mount Le Conte Lodge can host up to 60 overnight guests in rustic one-room cabins and multiroom lodges. The ever-present fog circling the range prompted the Cherokee to name the mountains shaconage, which translates to place of blue smoke. Euro-Americans later dubbed them the Great Smoky Mountains. It sees as many visitors as the next 3 most visited national parks combined (2022 data). What does that mean? Black bears, deer, elk and other wildlife roam this peaceful valley. 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. Avoid This Entrance to Smoky Mountains National Park at All Costs Gatlinburg is home to many scenic and accessible spots that are just perfect for bringing back the lost joys of picnicking. Natural Retreats - Over 60 Smoky Mountain cabin rentals offer guests the feeling of seclusion with modern amenities and proximity to restaurants and cultural experiences nearby. It can only be used with the car that matches the license plate number on the tag. Asheville is a beautiful mountain city, home to breweries, Art Deco, and tons of turn of the century history, including our favorite stop, The Biltmore Estate. Super thorough! Titanic Museum features a replica of the doomed ship, while the Alcatraz East Crime Museum lets visitors get up close to Ted Bundys VW Beetle and OJ Simpsons White Bronco. Its also the parks dry season, so youre much less likely to get soggy while exploring this typically (very) wet park. They have to let anyone and everyone pass through the park on the highway. The Wears Valley entrance (also referred to as the Wears Cove entrance) is a secret spot, typically where many of the locals will go to enter the national park. Hen Wallow Falls is a popular day hike, located just 2.1 miles from the Cosby Picnic Area. Are there hikes located at/near Sugarlands Visitor Center? Here are a few of our favorites: Which thing to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are you excited to do first? What Other Smoky Mountains Entrances Are There? Silent tea meditation and private yoga classes are also available. Admire the antique architecture of century-old cabins and mills at Cades Cove picnic area. The Ramsey Cascades Trail is located near Greenbrier and . However, each has a seasonally available, developed campground for homebase while you explore the area. Youll have to drive, even if you fly into the region first. They dont take reservations, so get there early. 107 Park Headquarters Road Today, the public can visit the galleries hosting permanent and rotating exhibits to learn about traditional Appalachian artwork. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do I Need a Parking Tag? Revisit the 18th century at the Oconaluftee Indian Village amid re-creations of traditional Cherokee dwellings, sacred ritual sites and workshops. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Thank you so much, Laura. How do I get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The menu at Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen changes frequently, but diners can expect thoughtful dishes like local rabbit and foraged vegetable pasta. Youll only have to pay a fee for a parking tag if you want to get out of the car for more than 15 minutes. You come into the park at Metcalf Bottoms. The US military now uses this seismic station to monitor nuclear testing around the world. PHOTO BY: Richard Ellis / Alamy Stock Photo. It's also home to more than 67 varieties of fish, 234 species of birds and dozens of species of salamanders (the park has been called the Salamander Capital of the World"). Pack a rain jacket, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for a Smoky Mountain adventure! This entrance is an hour's drive southeast of Knoxville on US 441. You can choose from a number of different routes on either a steam or diesel engine, chugging along sights like the Tuckasegee River, Fontana Lake, and the Nantahala Gorge. >> Cades Cove Visitor Center is located about halfway around the full loop. Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection. The Little River Logging Company stopped their operations in this area in 1926, and talk of creating a National Park began. Big Creek Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Blue Ridge Mountain Life Clingmans Dome, near the park's center, straddles the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina. Omg! The best way to experience the Smoky Mountains is to do what the original settlers and explorers did: hit the trails. It is so sad to see all the commercialism with apparently no codes or plan for the growth. The Smoky Mountains are known for hosting a section of the Appalachian Trail, the 2,000 mile trail that follows the spine of the Appalachians on its way from Georgia to Maine. It's been updated to reflect recent COVID-19 developments. from Gatlinburg6 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! A guidebook is incredibly handy to bring along in the car with you we recommend this Moon Guide! What to do when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park - WRAL Construction of the new road began, but stopped after only six of the proposed thirty miles were built. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. The Oconaluftee Cherokee, along with some members of the Cherokee Nation who hid in the mountains to avoid relocation, became the Eastern Band of the Cherokees. >> Does My Parking Tag Guarantee Me a Parking Spot? National park annual passes cover entry fees, not additional/extra fees, and GSMNP doesnt have an entry fee. You helped me learn of some new things to do, thank you. 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. You can also hike the Jakes Creek and Little River trails to walk past old chimneys and stone structures. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. (865) 436-4178 You only have to pay a fee to park. Mileposts are numbered North to South from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Indianapolis to Great Smoky Mountains National Park In the last few decades, the park started restoring some of the remaining buildings in this historic logging town. Eagles Ridge Resort. In October, even cooler temperatures arrive, usually ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, along with a new surge of visitors. Parking tags are also nonrefundable, so if you buy a weekly tag and then leave after 5 days, the park will not refund you for the 2 days you didnt use. The road pops out onto Little River Gorge Road inside the park between The Sinks and the Elkmont Campground. Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Cherokee, NC Yes, you can drive through Great Smoky Mountains without paying anything. The scenery is beautiful and the different businesses /shops are nice.The beautiful mornings and evenings in Wears Valley make the drive into the mountains like an appetizer before a gorgeous dinner. 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. For a rainy-day activity, visit the 100+-year-old Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. In the meantime, please feel free Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! >> The Oconaluftee Visitor Center serves the North Carolina entrance on the southern park border. It is also home to craft breweries like Blackberry Farm Brewery, owned by the luxury resort of the same name in Walland, and Tri-Hop Brewery, a pet-friendly spot known for its IPAs. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Turns out, there was gold there, and white people thought they deserved it. To hike Porters Creek, follow the signs to the trailhead of the same name. The humid summer weather subsides in September, and crowds start to thin out. Summer brings the crowds, and theres no trying to deny it. There are few different stories about the caves discovery. Most likely, Cherokee peoples found and used the caves long before white settlers did. Site by, 30 Things Nobody Tells You About Quitting Your Job to Travel, 32 Things Nobody Tells You About Long Term Travel as a Couple, 30 Things No One Tells You About Backpacking in South America, 12 Epic Things to Do in Smoky Mountain National Park (& MASSIVE Travel Guide). Thanks for commenting! 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. For more ambitious hikers, the strenuous, 10.6 mile hike to the Mt. Hen Wallow Falls is a popular day hike, located just 2.1 miles from the Cosby Picnic Area. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Tripadvisor A scenic drive is a great way to see the far-off corners of the park or a fun way to sightsee on a rainy day. The tunnel can get dark, so bring a flashlight! . There are endless hotels that lean into the areas rustic mountain style, but RiverStone Resort & Spa provides the most elevated experience with fully furnished condos and log cabins. The southern end of this 469-mile linear park begins just 0.2 miles outside GSMNP's Oconaluftee Visitor Center and extends into Virginia, connecting with Shenandoah National Park. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly Great Smoky Mountains National Park also has some regulations around backcountry camping, including storing food, building fires, and wildlife safety. Ranger-Led Programs Explore and learn about the park with a ranger. With some outdoor experience and careful planning, you can head out into the woods for a couple of days to experience these mountains in a unique way. Need some help planning your next adventure? Take a seat on a bench in the clearing and soak in the scenery. Foothills Parkway West runs from Walland to Chilhowee, while Foothills Parkway East travels from Cosby to I-40, Exit #443. Tuckaleechee Caverns is also home to the most sensitive seismic station on the planet. Here are a few adventures you'll need to purchase. Ad Choices. more information on current conditions Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Where in Wears Valley do you turn to get to the secret entrance to the National Park? And you can go aboard, too. Off the Beaten Path - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S For times when you want a hotel that isn't competing with your to-do list. For a more detailed explanation, read this article. The Mountain Farm Museum is also here and includes a large cleared field that elk love to graze in. This seasons highs range from the 50s to the 70s. Today, there are about 11,000 members who mostly live within the reservation in western North Carolina. (Some are open year-round as you mentioned.) The main Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance on the southern border, Oconaluftee is right outside of Cherokee, NC. Bryson City is the hub for the North Carolina Smokies and is popular with families riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, as the best-known route snakes through the mountains between Bryson City and Dillsboro. Your best shot at spotting elk in Cataloochee Valley is an hour before sunrise or a few hours before sunset. Its so big, it can nearly hold a football stadium. 1. 15 Best Things To Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains maintains 10 campgrounds within the park. On the Alum Cave Trail, the shortest and steepest, you'll hike up 5.5 miles, passing Mount Le Conte Lodge. Driving Directions to the Gatlinburg Entrance From interstate highway I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN-66 South. Like much of western North Carolina, Bryson City is charming, outdoorsy, and beautiful. Ancient mountains, misty forests, waterfalls, a ghost town, underground caverns, and a scenic road to nowhere: welcome to the countrys most visited National Park! Experience the park's beauty from a different vantage point on Fontana Lake, on GSMNP's southern border, which gives you access to the park's most remote areas and the adjacent Nantahala National Forest. Summer is packed, but the crowds start to thin out when fall rolls around. Despite the areas dreary (though certainly not novel) history, visitors today can take a beautiful if not a bit spooky hike near the Road to Nowhere. With fewer than 2,000 residents, Bryson City is a little town with a lot to offer. If you plan to backpack and need a backcountry campsite, youll have to get a permit in advance. Pigeon Forge has all-you-can-eat buffets and themed dinner shows, but it also happens to be home to Dollywood, owned by country music legend Dolly Parton. Or try the brutal but beautiful 13-mile Low Gap Trail - Appalachian Trail - Snake Den Trail loop. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. from Cherokee41. With impressive swaths of wilderness, legendary whitewater rivers, scenic waterfalls, and quaint nearby towns, there is no shortage of things to do in the Smokies. Cammerer Fire Tower is a Smoky Mountain classic. Free Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planner - Great Smoky National Park Trips And it's a great way to experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains - drive-thru style. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, with July being the wettest month. The trail begins 3 miles into the park from the Cherokee Orchard entrance, a little more than a mile east of the Sugarlands center. Good displays of wildflowers can be seen along the first 1.5 miles of trail. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Wikipedia Here are some options both in the park and in the surrounding towns. Finally, drink your way through Smoky Mountain country with a Moonshine and Wine tour. Asheville isnt the ideal place to stay if you want to explore the park thoroughly, but its an option if youre interested in sampling the best of the NC mountains. The views from Wears Valley are unbelievable, showcasing all of the great colors of the mountains. to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Each gateway town has its own vibe, and all three make a great basecamp for your visit to the Smokies if you choose not to stay in the park. This 1-mile section of river is divided into two sections a lazy river section, or a borderline whitewater section. It originates from the picnic area also. If you want a roof over your head and youre willing to work for it, check out the only indoor accommodations within the park LeConte Lodge. With the many surrounding towns near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, its no exaggeration that there are a ton of places to stay. >> The Clingmans Dome Visitor Center is a small shop built into the side of the mountain next to the parking lot. Plan Your Parkway Trip - Blue Ridge Parkway Its the most visited national park in the country (yes, beating Yellowstone), with 12 million visitors in the last year alone. Hi, I'm Rachel, creator of Means to Explore! 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. So if you are coming with your dog, plan to spend your time in the towns surrounding the park and maybe not in the park itself. (This rule doesnt make sense to us, and we hope they get enough feedback that theyll change the rules for annual tags.). Offering year round specials Eagles Ridge Resort is a must see! 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. In North Carolina: Escape the crowds on the busier Tennessee side and relish in the Smokies wild beauty in the isolated Cataloochee Valley in the park's less-visited North Carolina section. Tell us in the comments below. From the trailhead, its 4.0 miles to the cascades, which are the tallest in the Smokies. Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. The Travel Essentials Our Readers Bought Most This Prime Day. Chartered by Congress in 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) offers near-endless outdoor fun from hiking (you can find trails for all ability levels) to boating, cycling, fishing and horseback riding. >> Can You Just Drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Fill up on barbecue ribs, pork chops and black-eyed peas at the lunch and dinner buffet. The bar, owned by a Blackberry Farm alum, has bottles from around the world. If youre looking for another view, you can take one of the zipline tours in Wears Valley and see LeConte from there, too! **You really should reserve at least 4 hours (or more in summer or fall) just for Cades Cove. No, annual park passes cannot be used in lieu of paying for a parking tag. However due to funding and legislative difficulties, the ultimate status of the unfinished sections of the parkway remains uncertain. The area right outside of the park is recognized Cherokee Reservation Tribal Lands. Book your campsites in advance at Recreation.gov. There are three main entrances into Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC. Winter snow and ice close some of the driving routes, including the popular road to Clingmans Dome, the park's highest mountain (elevation 6,643 feet). Accessible programs span from ranger-led explorations of the intricate forest floor to tours highlighting the park's human history. Carter County, Tennessee - Located in the mountains of Tennessee north of the national park, Carter Country is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation and small . Nearby, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park's elevator whisks you up to the SkyBridge for some exhilarating (maybe nerve-racking for some) sightseeing at cloud level on this pedestrian bridge stretching 680 feet across a deep gorge, at a height of 140 feet. Youll notice old cabins, settlements, and villages inside the national park, but these nearby museums are also great places to learn about the local history. Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Learn about the Cherokee People and Appalachian Culture, Where to stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Perfect 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Guide, 10 Incredible Zion Hikes: a Complete Guide To Hiking in Zion National Park, 14 Epic Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California, ideas and support behind the National Park, The Perfect Weekend in Nashville, Tennessee: Itinerary & (Massive) Guide, 50 Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky: The Ultimate (Locals) Guide, https://www.pigeonforge.com/synchronous-fireflies/, 18 Marvelous Things to Do in Mesa, Arizona, 25 Sensational Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas, 33 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby (& what to leave at home), 23 Awesome Things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland. Wildflower watchers love exploring the Greenbrier, a six-mile road featuring the most colorful flora in the Park. About | Privacy Policies | Business Resources | Sitemap | Made with by IMEG. There are also some private shuttle services that service the surrounding towns. The 8-mile, one-way, gravel road provides beautiful views of Cades Cove. PHOTO BY: Andre Petit / Alamy Stock Photo. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. When you stay in Wears Valley, youre only a few short minutes from the Pigeon Forge Parkway, so when youre ready to spend time experiencing the exciting things to do in the area, you wont have to drive too far. Smoky Mountains National Park has two main visitor centers and two area visitor centers. Cammerer Fire Tower is a Smoky Mountain classic.
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