Great
Smoky Mountain National Park is the nation’s most visited National Park. More than 9 million visitors head to the
mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina every year to soak up some of Mother Nature’s
spectacular scenery. Smoky covered
mountain ranges, bubbling brooks, thunderous waterfalls, historic log cabins,
and meandering black bears dot the park’s landscape.
Although
fall is the most popular time to come visit, summer offers visitors a chance to
see the park completely in bloom. The
forests are so thick and lush that sunlight can have a hard time penetrating
the forest floor. The mountain sides
are as green as the eye can see. And,
wildlife seems to be a little more plentiful.
So,
what’s the best way to see Great Smoky Mountain National Park?
1.
Drive It: Auto touring has
always been the most popular way to see this park. The Cades
Cove Loop, an 11 mile one-way loop, is the park’s most popular drive. Restored log cabins, churches, barns, and a
working grist mill replicate what the area looked like in the 1800’s when more
than 270 residents called this area home.
Visitors are encouraged to pull over and explore. Wildlife traffic jams are common here. Deer and black bears love to roam the area
foraging for food. Looking to head
deep into the forest? Then, take the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. This 6 mile loop follows a roaring
mountain stream through a lush, thick forest.
Stretch your legs and take the easy self-guided nature trail to Noah
“Bud” Ogle’s farmhouse and tubmill.
2.
Hike It: We think the best way
to see the park is to hike it. The trek
to Clingmans Dome is a park favorite.
It’s the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet and offers spectacular
360 degree mountain views. On a clear
day, you’ll be able to see 100 miles in all directions. The trail is short, just 0.5 miles, but is
quite steep. Waterfall lovers should
consider taking Rainbow Falls
Trail. This 80 foot waterfall is one
of the park’s best. And yes, there is a
rainbow involved. On sunny days, a
rainbow appears in the fall’s mist. This
5.4 mile round-trip hike is considered moderate, with a 1,500 elevation
gain. Looking for something a little
less challenge? Then, consider the Gatlinburg Trail. It’s a 1.9 mile trail from the Sugarlands
Visitor Center to Gatlinburg. Following
the Little Pigeon River, hikers walk through a dense forest seeing old home
site foundations and hopefully a little wildlife.
3.
Bike It:
Summertime offers a special kind of fun for those who love to bike. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the Cades Cove Loop is closed to all motor
vehicle traffic. Bicyclists are given
the opportunity to experience this section of the park all to themselves. It’s a peaceful way to enjoy the park and
great exercise! An added bonus –
wildlife loves to frequent the area at this time of day. Make sure to bring your camera!
4.
Photograph It: The Great Smoky
Mountains are some of the nation’s most photographed. Sunrise and sunset provide professional (and
budding) photographers the chance to snap some of Mother Nature’s most dazzling
displays. As the clouds and mist cling
to the mountain tops, the sky turns an amazing reddish, orange hue. Clingmans
Dome and Newfound Gap Road are
popular picture spots.
5.
See it With a Ranger:
Ranger
programs are part of any visit to a National Park. You can join a ranger and hike through an old
growth forest or out to a waterfall.
There’s junior ranger programs geared just towards kids where badges can
be earned. And then, there’s the popular
nighttime ranger hay ride through Cades Cove.
Visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/events.htm to see a complete
summer listing of ranger programs.
Interested
in learning more about Great Smoky Mountain National Park? Visit the National Park Service’s official
website for maps, special events, and more:
www.nps.gov/grsm
Looking
for more Great American Vacation Ideas?
Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete
travel guides to destinations around the country!
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