Great Smoky Mountains Info

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is made up of a chain of mountains with summits that all rise over 5,000 feet in the air. Each of these peaks offers breathtaking views for miles. Have you ever wondered which peaks are the highest? Here are the top five highest peaks in the Smoky Mountains that you should explore for the best views in the Smokies!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its beautiful waterfalls. If you’ve already explored Grotto and Rainbow Falls, there is a lot more ground to cover! We have a hike for you to try on your next visit that will treat you to two secret waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains: Trickling Falls and Talking Falls. Read on to learn more about the Road Prong Trail!

Scenic drives are some of the best activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not only does it cost nothing to drive through, but you’ll be able to see incredible scenery from the comfort of your own vehicle; plus, learn some interesting facts and history about the area! If you’re exploring the NC side of the Smokies, a route a lot of people don’t know about is Lakeview Drive, The Road to Nowhere in North Carolina:

While the Smokies are known for their towering peaks and diverse wildlife, the area has other features to check out. Waterfalls are a popular site along hiking trails, but caves are unique, less popular features that are just as fascinating! Read on to learn more about a few Great Smoky Mountain caves and where to find them:

You may be just starting out on your hiking journey, or you’re an experienced hiker who just wants a breather. You may also be a parent who’s looking for a fun outdoor activity to do with kids. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Read on to learn more about the top 10 Smoky Mountain hikes anyone can do:

There are a lot of fun places to go on the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. If you’re planning on going to Cherokee or want a new area to explore, keep reading to learn all about Smokemont NC, and everything this beautiful part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer!

A great place to visit on the Tennessee side of the Smokies is the Tremont area. We love the hiking trails there, so let us tell you about an excellent beginner-friendly route to take. This quiet hike leads to a beautiful waterfall, so keep reading for all the details about hiking to Spruce Flat Falls.

If you’re looking for a fun place to go on the Tennessee side of the Smokies, you should check out the Tremont area, where you’ll find peaceful hiking trails, scenic drives, and an institute with lots of fun programs that allow visitors to learn more about the national park! Keep reading to learn more about why you should add a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont to your itinerary for an upcoming visit:

There is nothing like starting your morning in the Smokies with the sight of a beautiful sunrise, and you’ll find several fantastic locations to watch the gorgeous scenery unfold! Since Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, you can arrive as early as you want to access the best views in the park! Here are the top 5 places to see a sunrise in the Smoky Mountains:

If you’re looking for a spooky tale to tell around the next campfire, one of the most terrifying Smoky Mountain legends of all time is Spearfinder! Known to local tribes as U’tlun’ta, Cherokee for “the one with the pointed spear”, this witch was described as having skin made of an impenetrable stone and one long finger sharpened to a deadly point on her left hand. With this sharpened appendage, she cut effortlessly into the flesh of her victims to extract a bloody prize! Here are more details about the Spearfinder legend of the Smoky Mountains:

While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll want to put Kuwohi at the top of your itinerary! This amazing mountaintop destination is the highest peak in the national park and features an observation tower with stunning 360-degree views! It is also easily accessible, as Kuwohi Road turns off from Newfound Gap Road and travels for 7 miles to a parking lot. From there, just walk up the paved half-mile trail that leads to the observation tower! Here are the top 5 reasons to experience Kuwohi during your visit to the National Park:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only known for its stunning natural scenery and abundant wildlife, but also for an impressive collection of historic buildings that date back as far as the early 1800s! While visiting the park, you’ll find more than 90 rehabilitated buildings, including homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills. While these historic sites are well known and documented, there are also some unique sites in the Smokies that have almost been lost in time! Here are a few unique sites in the Great Smoky Mountains that have nearly been forgotten:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its timeless natural beauty. As a visitor, you can do your part to protect it during every trip. You'll be happy to know that the task is pretty easy! Read on to find out more about the Leave No Trace policy and the most important guidelines in the Smoky Mountains everyone should follow:

Do you want to take the road (or the hiking path!) less traveled? Whiteoak Sink in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hidden gem along a quiet nature trail, and the springtime is one of the best seasons to explore this beautiful area of the Smokies. We want to take some time to tell you why we love it, so keep reading to find out why you should visit Whiteoak Sink:

Before the Great Smoky Mountains became a national park, settlers came to the area and established communities. They built cabins, some of which are still standing today. You’ve probably heard of families such as the Olivers and the Cables who lived in Cades Cove, but have you heard of John Ownby? Here’s a brief family history and where to find the John Ownby cabin near the Sugarlands Visitor Center: