Cades Cove
When visiting the smoky mountains Cades Cove is a must see. Its a beautiful valley with large mountains jutting up all around it and wildlife everywhere. In the spring the cove is blanketed with captivating wildflowers of all colors and black bear sightings are very common here during most of the year. Cades Cove features an 11 mile one way loop road that allows motorists to go slow and enjoy the scenery. Also, from early may until late September on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 10:00 am only foot and bicycle traffic is allowed on the loop road. There are also many trails that begin in Cades Cove, including a short nature trail, the 10 mile round trip Abrams falls trail, and the longer trails to Thunderhead mountain and Rocky Top mountain.
Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is an awesome waterfall with a deep pool below it people swim in. A moderate hike with beautiful flower and forest views I highly recommend seeing Abrams Falls.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
If you stay in Gatlinburg the roaring fork motor nature trail is something you have to experience. Its a 6 mile drive framing old farmsteads and the beautiful grotto falls and rainbow falls.
Chimney Tops Trail
The chimney tops is a mountain with large boulders resting at its peak. The trail is not really long but it does gets quite steep at some points. However, there is no better 360 degree view anywhere else in the park than there is at chimney tops mountain.
Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park and offers incredible views with only a half mile walk from the parking lot. Clingmans dome is very accessible, a great place to take kids, and at 6,643 feet on a clear day you can see 7 different states!
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian trail is a national scenic trail in the Appalachian mountains that extends from Georgia all the way to Maine. The trail follows breathtaking, scenic ridgelines in the smoky mountains that offers some of the best mountain views in the smokies. Also, shelters are spread throughout the trail to allow camping overnight but pitching a tent is prohibited. To reserve a shelter please call (865) 436-1231.
The Great Smoky Mountains offers endless attractions and fun for all ages. Cades cove, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, and Clingmans dome are just a handful of unforgettable places in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains national park.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is one of the towns on the edge of the smoky mountains with much to see and do. It's my favorite town to stay in when visiting the smokies because its less touristy than Pigeon Forge and provides many awesome hotels and restaurants.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is another one of the towns located on the edge of the smoky mountains and is not very far from Gatlinburg. It provides more to do than Gatlinburg and has many tourist attractions including the famous theme park Dollywood.
Newfound Gap Road
Newfound Gap is the lowest mountain gap in the national park that you can drive on. Beautiful scenery includes high elevation ecosystems that are similar to eastern Canada's boreal forest. An awesome drive to experience when traveling through the park.
Mount LeConte
The third highest peak in the park, and arguably the most beautiful, is Mount LeConte. The peak is available by many trails and a resort where you can stay in a cabin at the peak is run by the NPS but its very popular and must be booked months in advance.
Smoky Mountain Speedway
If you are into fast cars the Smoky Mountain Speedway is one of the coolest race tracks to see. In the heart of where NASCAR originated the track offers great views and an awesome day trip or couple hour deal that's great fun for families.
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| The Great Smoky Mountains |
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