How to Plan the Perfect Trip to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. One of the true gems of this area of the country the park is home to more than 187,000 acres of forest and more than 800 miles of hiking trails. Established in 1934 the more than 520,000 acres protect a stunning amount of biodiversity and Appalachian and Native American history. A hikers and wildlife lovers paradise, it is the most visited National Park in America with more than 11 million yearly visitors and it is also the only free National Park in the US. If you love wildlife, forests and history the Smoky Mountains are for you, and this will give you all the information you need to plan the perfect trip.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be entered from several places. For those traveling from the south you will most likely enter the park in Cherokee North Carolina near the Ocanaluftee Visitors Center. It is worth noting that some of the best hiking and river exploring is in this southern section nearby Bryson City and the small town of Deep Creek where you can rent innertubes and fishing poles for hours on the river before or afer hiking to several waterfalls. 

Even non hikers can enjoy this area. An overnight to Bryson City which is the starting point for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a great place to hop on the train and venture through the National forest by railcar. Enjoying the rivers and forest breezes through open window without the effort of hiking or walking. A great option for families with small children or those less able to get out on trails. 

Getting There: 

The Smoky Mountains can be entered from North Carolina or Tennessee. Since the park does not offer guided tours the best way to explore the park is by vehicle, or by renting an RV. Adventures made simple - Rent an RV from RVshare

From the south Atlanta Georgia is about 4 hours from the southern side of the park near Bryson City NC, while Gatlinburg TN in the north sits right at the entrance to the park. If you enter from the Tennessee side, the city of Gatlinburg does offer trolley service to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the Laurel Falls parking area and the Elkmont Campground from June through October. Cades Cove Loop Trail is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays in the summer months to give bicyclists more room but bicycles are prohibited on all park trails, except the Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail and the lower Deep Creek Trail. 

The Name Smoky:

The Cherokee referred to the mountains as ‘shaconage’ which means ‘place of blue smoke, ‘ because the mountains themselves start to look like blue smoke in the distance as the layers stack away into the horizon. When you travel through the Smoky Mountains you will notice the wispy fog as well which looks like plumes of smoke rising from the forest. This fog is caused by the vegetation exhaling volatile organic compounds, chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and easily form vapors at normal temperature and pressure. 

When to Visit:

The summer season is the busiest in the park with average temperatures in the mid 80’s. Since the park has a diverse topography with elevations ranging from 875 feet to more than 6,000 feet, temperatures can vary by up to 20 degrees from the base to the mountaintop so pack layers and a rain jacket no matter what time of year you visit. Spring and summer can be very warm, while winters see temperatures into the mid-30s, as well as road closures due to snow. Winter and fall however are some of the best seasons to visit with fewer crowds, especially in the lesser visited areas near Bryson City NC and Townsend TN. 

History:

For thousands of years before Europeans came to America the Smoky Mountains were home to the Tsalagi or Aniyvwiyai now known as the Cherokee. They mark their place of origin as a valley tucked between the river and the shrugging shoulders of hills outside Bryson City which is now home to their reservation. During one of the darkest stains of American History the Cherokee and most other Native American Indians were displaced from their homelands in the 1800’s and sent on the Trail of Tears in 1838, a grueling forced journey that sent most of the Cherokee tribe to reservations in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The few remaining Cherokee gathered in what became the town of Cherokee North Carolina, at what is know the southern entrance of the park. 

After the Trail of Tears the Smoky Mountains were home to hundreds of settlers that lived throughout the Appalachain mountains. These families farmed and milled in its hidden valleys. Th woods today still have many memories of the history of the park. Walk through the woods and you may see old millstones, mossy lines of old stone walls, long lived in cabins, mills and barns from the late 1800’s. Today more than 90 historic buildings remain in the park. The greatest variety are in the Cades Cove area in Tennessee, but you can also tour a Mountain Farm Museum at the Ocanaluftee Visitors Center or nearby Mingus Mill.

In the early 1930’s the residents of the Smoky Mountains worked in partnership with the state governments to hand over 6600 tracts of private land and matched donations which helped create Great Smoky Mountain National park in 1934. 

Best Areas to Visit: 

Smoky Mountain National Park is huge and you will not be able to see it all in a day. The park can be broken up into 4 areas and here are the ones you won’t want to miss. 

Newfound Gap Road

This road runs North/South from NC to TN, it is the main road for most visitors to the park and will give you a great overview of the park. Make sure you stop for a walk through the recreated Appalachian Homestead at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center near Cherokee, NC. This is also a great place to see the parks Elk, who often come to the large fields outside the visitors center. Continue north as you drive along the river, stopping at some of the many viewpoints as you gain in elevation. Near the highest point of the park there is a great viewpoint where you can stop for a view of the park. Hang a left right before this parking lot to drive up to Clingman’s Dome. Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in the park, accessible in the summer by a short 1 mile hike that takes you to a unique lookout tower. Winter travelers will have to park at the end of the road and walk the 7 miles each way to reach Clingman’s. 

Cades Cove: 

Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains it is made up of a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains, and showcases some of the best historical sites in the park as well. It also offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park with deer, black bear, coyote and turkey often roaming around.  To explore the area by vehicle travel on the 11-mile one-way loop road which circles the cove. This usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, with numerous trails to walk on along the way. Learn the history of the park at the Cades Cove Visitor Center and explore the historic gristmill and Cable Mill.  CLoser to Gatlinburg you can stop by Sugarlands Visitor Center to see wildlife exhibits, view a film on the park and pick up unique souvenirs at the gift shop.

Another great way to explore Cades Cove is by bicycle which can be rented at the Cades Cove Campground, you can bike the loop any day but on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings it is closed to vehicle traffic. You also won’t want to miss the Cades Cove Nature trail or the 5 mile hike to Abrams Falls. 

Bryson City/Deep Creek

Located on the Southern side of the park, Bryson City North Carolina is the gateway to the park for those traveling from the South. Bryson City is a great small town with great hotel and restaurant options. It is also home to the Smoky Mountain Railroad. The roailroad is a great option for those wanting to sit and relax while taking in views of the forest through large open windows. Bryson City is also the home to Deep Creek. This area is insanely popular in the summertime. With its location along Deep Creek, lots of people rent innertubes from one of several outfitters near the river and spend the day floating down the river. Other adventurers can enjoy long hikes and walks along the river, fish for trout or just enjoy the beautiful forest. 

Roaring Fork Motor Trail:

Located right outside Gatlinburg, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a paved road that leads from Gatlinburg into the Northeastern section of the park. The loop road itself is just over 5.5 miles each way and takes you to see some old homesteads and historic buildings, rushing streams, old growth forests and some great hikes. Much of the road is closed in winter, so plan accordingly if you are visiting in the off season. You won’t want to miss hiking to Rainbow Falls or taking the guided walk to the Noah “Bud” Ogle farmstead.

Best Hikes: 

The Great Smokies have more than 800 miles of hiking trails and more than 2,000 miles of rivers and streams. It is an amazing place to hike in any season. With more than 100 waterfalls, several towering mountains and varied landscapes there is a hike for every type of outdoor adventurer. A.T fanatics will also love the 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail run through the park. Great hikes can be found on both All Trails, or on the National Park website, but here are a few you won’t want to miss. 

Alum Cave Trail to Mt. Le Conte: This Trail is 10.5 miles and begins about 20 miles from Gatlinburg on the North side of the park. The challenging climb is also super popular, beginning near the river and climbing steadily in elevation. Many hikers will choose just to hike to Alum cave (shown above) which is at mile 2.5. After Alum Cave the trail climbs higher into mountains before reaching the Le Conte Lodge and the summit of Mt. Le Conte, the third highest peak in the park.    

Rainbow Falls Trail: This trail is 5.5 miles in length. Located on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail outside Gatlinburg, it takes you to the beautiful Rainbow Falls. This hike is rated as difficult as almost immediately you will start an ascent that does not let up. This trail also connects with the summit of Mt. Le Conte and makes a great overnight trip. 

Abrams Falls: Abrams falls is a 4.9 mile hike near Townsend, Tennessee. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park and is a must do for visitor to this area of the park. 

Deep Creek to Indian Falls: The Deep Creek Trail is 4.9 miles with options for several longer and shorter versions. It starts outside the town of Bryson city, along Deep Creek, where many summer travelers will be entering the river for inner tubing. The trail is a gentle meandering with not much elevation that follows the river and takes you to two waterfalls.  

Clingman’s Dome: To reach the observation tower, the tallest point in the Smoky Mountains, you will walk 1.2 miles from the Clingman’s Dome Road. From the top you will have 360 degree views of the Smokies and can sometimes see as far as 100 miles. The road is closed from December to March, but the Dome is accessible year round for those wanting a long walk in the winter. 

Chimney Tops: One of the most popular hikes on the Newfound Gap Road this 3.6 mile heavily trafficked trail takes you along the river, and up a steep elevation to a beautiful mountain summit. Recent reports in 2020 have labeled the last part of this trail closed due to fire damage.   

Grotto Falls Trail: This is a popular 2.6 mile trail near Gatlinburg. Great for families and non hikers that takes you to a small waterfall. 

Laurel Falls: This mostly paved trail is just 2.4 miles and is accessible to all. Areas of the trail can be difficult for strollers in some areas. The trail has a slight incline and takes you to the beautiful Laurel Falls, also near Gatlinburg. 

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