Great Smoky Mountains Info

Indian Creek Falls along Middle Prong Trail

4 Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains That are Perfect for Summer

June 30, 2022

If you’re planning to hit the hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains this summer, there are several excellent trails that offer waterfalls, creeks and other great ways to keep cool! Whether you want to hike just a few miles or spend an entire day exploring the Smokies, we have the perfect trail for you! Just remember to wear comfortable clothing and pack your good hiking shoes because we guarantee you’ll get wet! Here are 4 hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains that are perfect for summer:

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sunset at Clingmans dome

5 of the Best Places to See a Sunset in the Smoky Mountains

June 29, 2022

One of the most beautiful sights to see in the Smoky Mountains is a sunset. You can watch a gorgeous sunset from all over the Smoky Mountain area. To help you decide on the best place to go while you’re in town, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our favorite places in the park! Here are 5 of the best places to see a sunset in the Smoky Mountains:

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An Antique Plow Sits In Front Of An Old Barn

3 Reasons to Visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

June 27, 2022

If you are planning to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, consider stopping at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There are many things to explore inside the visitor center and outside on the grounds. Here are 3 reasons to visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

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junior rangers walking along a trail in the great smoky mountains national park

Top 4 Reasons Why Kids Love Becoming a National Park Junior Ranger

June 6, 2022

One of the best ways to get your kids interested in a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is introducing them to the Junior Ranger program! When your children realize that Junior Rangers are critical to the success of the National Park System, they’ll feel more involved in their visit and want to teach others about keeping a safe distance from wildlife, cleaning up trash in the park and other important issues! Here are the top 4 reasons why kids love becoming a National Park Junior Ranger:

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bicycles sitting in Cades Cove

Top 3 Places You Should Visit for the Best Biking in the Smoky Mountains

May 19, 2022

One of the best ways to explore the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on a bicycle! There is nothing like the fresh mountain breeze in your face as you pedal through the park and stop to enjoy some of the spectacular scenery! While bikes are not permitted on most trails, you can ride them on nearly every road in the park! Here are the top 3 places that you should visit for the best biking in the Smoky Mountains:

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turtle crossing the road in the Smokies

Reptiles in the Smokies: Learn about the Turtles, Lizards and Snakes in the Smoky Mountains

May 9, 2022

While you probably know that the Great Smoky Mountains are famous for their black bear residents, there are plenty of other critters found in the park too – including reptiles! There are three major groups of reptiles found within the park, including turtles, lizards and snakes. You’ll be happy to know that most of these reptiles are harmless and the chance of running into a venomous snake is very rare, but always remember to keep a “hands off” approach when viewing wildlife in the park! Read on to learn more about the snakes in the Smoky Mountains and other reptile friends:

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gourley's pond in cades cove

Top 5 Hidden Gems You’ll Only Find in Cades Cove

May 2, 2022

If you’ve visited the Great Smoky Mountains before, you’ve probably been to some of the most popular spots in the park. The most popular destination is Cades Cove, and this 11-mile looped road is full of history and breathtaking scenery. So if you’ve visited, you know exactly how incredible it is to see in person! But did you know there are some secret spots you probably don’t know about? Keep reading to learn more about 5 hidden gems you can only find in Cades Cove:

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Timber Tops Cabin

3 Types of Places to Stay Near Smoky Mountains National Park If You Don’t Like Camping

April 29, 2022

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 10 campgrounds where you can sleep under the stars! However, what do you do if you want to stay in the park but you’re not really into camping? While there is just one lodging option located within the park, the LeConte Lodge, it is situated on top of the park’s third highest peak and is accessible only by foot! The good news is that there are a ton of excellent options that are just minutes away! Here are 3 types of places to stay near Smoky Mountains National Park if you don’t like camping:

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smoky mountain hiking trail

Top 3 Places to Find Smoky Mountain Trail Maps for Your Hiking Adventures

April 29, 2022

So you’re all geared up for a day of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but now the big question – where to go?! After all, there are more than 850 hiking trails in the Smokies with varying degrees of difficulty! The good news is that there are several places where you can go to research the maps and discover what might appeal to you, whether it be a waterfall hike or a trek to see some of the park’s interesting historical buildings! Here are the top 3 places to find Smoky Mountain trail maps for your hiking adventures:

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spruce flats falls in the great smoky mountains

4 Secret Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains You’ll Want to Explore

April 27, 2022

With over 850 miles of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll find a ton of places to explore, and these are just the trails on the official park map! Of course, there are some unofficial trails that aren’t documented on the park map, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hike them! Check out these 4 secret hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains you’ll want to explore:

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White llama

Learn About the Llamas That Take Supplies to LeConte Lodge

April 20, 2022

If you’re an avid hiker, you may have made your way to the summit of Mount LeConte, the third tallest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are 5 different trails you can use to reach the summit of this mountain, and you can even spend the night at LeConte Lodge if you don’t want to hike back down the mountain the same day. The only way to reach the lodge is by one of these trails because there are no roads, so supplies are actually taken to the top of the mountain by llamas! Keep reading to learn more about the llamas that take supplies to LeConte Lodge:

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Smoky Mountains

Top 4 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains Without Hiking the Trails

April 13, 2022

One of the fantastic things about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is that you can have fun without ever setting foot on a hiking trail! After all, not everyone enjoys hiking and some folks may have issues that limit or prevent them from physical activity. Luckily, there are plenty of awesome things to do in the park besides hiking, including excellent visitor center facilities, scenic drives and much more! Here are the top 4 things to do in the Smoky Mountains without hiking the trails:

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The Sinks

5 Roadside Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains You Can’t Miss

March 31, 2022

There are more than 100 waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you enjoy seeing waterfalls in the Smokies, you’ll love knowing that there are a few you can see while taking scenic drives! Here are 5 roadside waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains you can’t miss:

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Smoky Mountains

4 Best Ways to Experience Gorgeous Smoky Mountain Views

March 23, 2022

One of the main reasons why people plan a trip to the Smoky Mountains is to experience the peacefulness and serenity of the mountains. When you see the amazing scenery, you will forget about your troubles and feel a sense of relief. If you are looking for different ways to take in the scenery, we have you covered! Here are 4 of the best ways to experience gorgeous Smoky Mountain views:

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flowers in the smoky mountains

5 Reasons Why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Worth Visiting

March 18, 2022

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most popular park to visit and has broken several visitation records! Haven’t had the chance to go yet? Here are 5 reasons why you should visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

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