Smoky
Mountain Vacation:
A Weekend or A Week Getaway in
The Great Smoky Mountains
Vacationers coming to the Smoky Mountains have a bewildering number
of options from which to choose. Whether it’s lodging, activities,
or a good place to eat, there are many options available to suit every
taste and pocketbook--if you can identify them. Two of the most often asked
questions we receive include where to stay and what to do when you get
here. We attempt to answer those questions in this article and help narrow
the myriad of choices available. We even recommend some great places to
eat.
We group the choices based on our own experiences
and make recommendations based on proximity to each other to save
a lot of time traveling from one side of the park to the other.
Remember, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers more than
a half-million acres.
You will notice that most of our suggestions
for your Smoky Mountain vacation activities involve getting out
of your vehicle and enjoying the best part of the area: the Park
itself. However, you will also notice that, for those who really
do enjoy touring from your vehicle, we’ve included some auto
tours and described a few attractions in the towns.
One final note before we turn you loose to see
what we suggest you try: Where we have more extensive information
about a particular feature, we have included a hyperlink to that
feature in one of our online publications.
ONE DAY or A WEEKEND:
If you only have one day or a weekend to spend
in the Smokies area, we make three very popular suggestions. All
three suggestions offer a great sampler of everything the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer: auto touring, idyllic
scenery and mountain views, historic structures, quiet walkways,
hiking trails, biking, camping, horseback riding, and fly fishing
for the elusive rainbow trout.
TIP: Get out of your vehicle and enjoy
the best the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer. Why breathe the
fumes of the vehicle in front of you if you came here to have some
fun?
Sugarlands Visitor Center
A good place to start your tour of the GSMNP
is the Sugarlands Visitor Center just inside the Park entrance
at Gatlinburg. It was named for the sugar maple trees, which contribute
to the Smokies fall splendor each October. It’s one of three
visitor's centers in the GSMNP (the other two are at Cherokee and
in Cades Cove) and it’s a good source of information about
park activities induding naturalist-led hikes, wildflower pilgrimages,
and road closings. A theater presents a film about the GSMNP every
30 minutes on the hour and half-hour and there are several exhibits
about the Park. The bookstore has a wide variety of publications
for sale, including maps, screensavers, photos, and film. This
is also the place to secure backcountry camping permits. The Sugarlands
Visitor Center is just inside the park entrance at Gatlinburg.
As you leave the Sugarlands parking lot, turn right onto Little
River Road and begin the scenic drive to Cades Cove.
TIP: If you are starting your one-day
Smoky Mountain vacation from Gatlinburg (and we recommend it),
have a brunch at the Burning Bush Restaurant. It sits at the northern
entrance (traffic light #10) to the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park and is only 2 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
TIP: A good way to walk off your big breakfast at
the Burning Bush is to take the 2-mile hike to the visitor's
center. The Gatlinburg Trail trailhead is just beyond the
parking lot of the Burning Bush Restaurant.
TIP: Pets are allowed in certain parts of the Park
on leashes, but are prohibited on trails or cross-country
hikes. The Gatlinburg Trail is one of two trails on which
pets are allowed (the other is at the visitor's center at
Oconaluftee center near Cherokee).
Cades Cove
The second suggestion involves a tour of Cades
Cove in the northwestern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park--and for good reason. This idyllic setting is a sampler
of everything the Park has to offer the Smokies visitor. Historic
structures that dot the cove tell the history of its early inhabitants.
Wildlife is abundant and can be easily seen--especially early morning
and late afternoon. Cades Cove itself consists of a self-guided
auto tour that takes you to preserved historic structures. It accords
fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains, which tower above the picturesque
cove and serve as guardians to Cades Cove's serene beauty; and
is one of the best areas in the Park to view the splendor of color
when Mother Nature empties her paint buckets in the Fall.
Auto Touring Cades Cove
Turn right out of the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot and travel about 17 miles on Little River and Laurel Creek Roads (Little River Road changes to Laurel Creek Road at the "Y" turnoff to Townsend). You will dead-end into the Cades Cove entrance.
The 11-mile loop road, which meanders through
Cades Cove and has pull-offs with trails to a number of preserved
historic structures built by early settlers. The self-guided tour
program allows you to visit each one at your own pace. Bring a
camera to capture a record of the history and natural splendor
of Cades Cove.
A short distance into the 11-mile loop brings
you to the first unpaved road out of Cades Cove. Called Rich Mountain
Road, this road climbs up and away from the Cove. A pullout affords
a great view back into Cades Cove and the Baptist Church--one of
the most photographed scenes in the area. Several hiking trails
are accessible from this route.If you follow Rich Mountain to its
conclusion, you will end up in Tuckaleechee Cove and eventually
to Townsend, Tennessee, which bills itself as "the peaceful
side of the Smokies".
About two-thirds of the way around Cades Cove
you will encounter Parsons Branch Road (closed in winter) which
also takes you away from Cades Cove. It leads you through isolated,
little-traveled areas of the Park and eventually takes you to Hwy
129 and Fontana Dam.
TIP: If this is your first visit to Cades
Cove, ignore both the Rich Mountain and Parsons Branch exits. This
excursion is all about Cades Cove. Save the other routes for your
next visit. FACT: You will want to return!
Cades Cove - Fly Fishing for Rainbow Trout
Crystal clear streams tumbling over age-old boulders
hide great prizes for the fly-fisherman searching for the Rainbow
trout. Abrams Creek flows through Cades Cove and culminates in
the spectacular Abrams Falls. A short way into the 2.5-mile hike
to Abrams Falls, the trail bends away north in a horseshoe shape.
Take this tangent a few hundred feet and you will certainly find
solitude, and you might even find a Rainbow trout. To obtain a
fishing permit that is good in both the Tennessee and North Carolina
sides of the Park, stop at the Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg
prior to your visit to Cades Cove. The proprietors (the Thompsons)
can also help you with hand-tied flies recommended for the area
and can even outfit you with necessary items you might need.
Hikes in Cades Cove
Essentially, the Cades Cove campground sits at
the center of Cades Cove and most of the hiking trails are accessible
from the campground or the loop road. Hiking trails surround Cades
Cove and lead to special attractions such as Abrams Falls and the
view of the Baptist Church and the cove from Rich Mountain.
The Anthony Creek Trail is accessible
from the far end of the Cades Cove picnic grounds. It courses alongside
a rushing stream, rises through a virgin forest, and is popular
because it is one of the shortest routes to Spence Field and Thunderhead
Mountain, two premier attractions in the western Smokies.
Crib Gap Trail was used by settlers as
a connector to the smaller Big Spring Cove. It's usually a muddy
horse track because it's used as an outlet from the Anthony Creek
horse camp and is also a connector linking Anthony Creek Trail
in Cades Cove and Turkeypen Ridge Trail.
Mill Creek Falls trail is an unmarked
trail, but it rewards the hiker with a waterfall 3 miles from the
Cables Mill parking area.
Gregory Bald Trail is a provides the setting
for a pleasant hike on your Smoky Mountain vacation. It is a 4.5
mile hike that leads to Gregory Bald, a ten-acre, dome-shaped grassy
area bordered on the North Carolina side by hundreds of azalea
shrubs, and on the Tennessee side affords a fantastic view from
about 2,000 feet down to Cades Cove. The trail is accessible from
the Cades Cove loop road--about 5.5 miles after entering the cove
continue through the junction where Cades Cove Loop Road takes
a sharp left turn. Follow the graveled Forge Creek Road 2.2 miles
to the turnaround at the end. The trail begins along the upper
end of the parking area.
There are about another dozen trails accessible
from the Cades Cove area--enough to satisfy the most avid hiker
and certainly enough to bring the visitor back to the cove for
years.
Horseback Riding and Biking in Cades Cove
For those who want to take in the Cades Cove
loop road at a slower pace, Cades Cove also offers the horse lover
as well as the biking enthusiast ample opportunity for enjoyment.
Horses are available for rent to take advantage of the selected
horseback riding trails. And bicyclists can bring their own or
rent one to take advantage of the special hours set aside for bikes
only--Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10am from May 10 until
September 27.
Horseback riding is generally available in Cades
Cove from mid-March until November. For more details (rates, exact
dates, miscellaneous questions) call (865) 448-6286. There are
also 5 drive-in horse camps, with one in Cades Cove. Horse camps
are open March 17 to November 1. For reservations, call 1-800-365-2267
(park code GRE) between 10am and 10pm or visit the web site at http://reservations.nps.gov There
is a site fee of $30 and a maximum of 4 horses and 6 people are
allowed at each site.
Camping in Cades Cove
The National Park Service maintains a campground
at Cades Cove (and nine others). During summer and fall
sites can be reserved (only for May 15 until October 31) and can
be reserved up to 5 months in advance. For reservations, call 800-365-2267
(park code GRE) or visit the web site at http://reservations.nps.gov.
Two tents or one RV and one tent with a maximum of 6 people are
allowed at each site. For backcountry information, call (865) 436-1297.
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Newfound Gap Road
Our third suggestion
is a tour of the Park via Newfound Gap Road. The 33-mile drive
from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina along Newfound Gap Road
(US 441) is the only route that completely traverses the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers a unique opportunity
to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the Park has to
offer, without necessarily trekking far from your automobile. The
drive takes about one hour, depending on traffic. The experience
can take several hours if you stop at each of the suggested points
of interest. June through August and the month October are the
busiest months of the tourist season, and you can spend a lot of
time looking at a bumper in front of you. You shouldn't let the
congestion discourage you from the experience, however. If you
want to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic, we would simply recommend
you try the same experience in April or May (wildflowers are already
blooming) or after peak fall colors. In fact, winter is even a
wonderful time in the Smokies. Quiet walkways, unforgettable views
of the various peaks in the Smokies, a vast variety of trees, flowers,
and wildlife; campgrounds, picnic areas--they all await you on
this wonderful journey. This road is closed to commercial traffic
as well. You begin your drive from Gatlinburg (or from Cherokee
for that matter--this travelogue assumes a departure from Gatlinburg)
and go about 2 miles to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Its worth
the stop here to view the displays of the natural history of the
Park, get an idea of what to expect on the drive, pick up reading
material to accompany your trip; and ask the Park rangers those
questions you always wanted to ask.
From the Sugarlands Visitor Center you
will turn left briefly before making a right turn onto Newfound
Gap Road. The road takes its name from a discovery in the 1850s
that Indian Gap, once believed to be the lowest point through the
mountains, actually was not the lowest point--hence the name Newfound
Gap. The road runs parallel to the West Prong of the Little Pigeon
River. Its cool, crystal-clear water is inviting and cooling at
the many pullouts accessible from Newfound Gap Road. Ultimately
the Little Pigeon River finds it's way to the Tennessee River on
its way to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, which ultimately spill
into the Gulf of Mexico.
At approximately the 1 and 2 mile points from
-Gatlinburg, you begin to see small signs indicating "quiet
walkways". These walkways, while you are still in Sugarlands
Valley, offer wonderful opportunities to view Fall color. The valley
takes its name from the multitude of sugar maples in the area.
As you move away from your vehicle down these quiet paths you become
surrounded by sugar maples, resplendent with color. Early settlers
used this tree for sugar and syrup. It takes about 30 gallons of
sap to make a gallon of syrup.
As you continue along Newfound Gap Road, a little
over two miles you will come upon the Campbell Overlook,
which offers arguably the best vistas in the Park. Mt. LeConte
rises to 6,593 feet in front of you--the third largest peak in
the Smokies. The overlook is named for Carlos Campbell, who wrote
Birth of A National Park (available at the Sugarlands Visitor Center).
Campbell was a devoted outdoorsman and was a devout supporter for
the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Shortly beyond the Campbell Overlook, you will
approach one of the more interesting quiet walkways. As you walk
the path, look closely and you can still see the remnants of old
farmsteads--parts of fireplaces and foundations. You can see the
old roadbed, which led to White Oak Flats--what is now known as
Gatlinburg.
As you continue along US 441, you approach the Chimney
Tops at the 4.5 mile mark. Here you will find the Chimney
Tops picnic area, which is home to one of the few remaining stands
of mature cove hardwoods in the U.S. The Little Pigeon River runs
through the picnic area. This river is named for the huge flocks
of passenger pigeons, which once filled the skies over the Smokies.
White settlers named the Chimney Tops after stone
chimneys which, if you use a little imagination, resemble the peaks.
This area, and many of the higher regions of the Smokies, was once
owned by paper and lumber companies, which highly prized the spruce
fibers growing there for making quality paper. As a matter of fact,
this prized resource and the thousands of acres of forests held
by these lumber companies were a key obstacle in obtaining the
land, which now makes up the Park.
If you are traveling from Gatlinburg, have breakfast
at the Burning Bush Restaurant--right at the northern entrance
to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you started from
the Cherokee NC entrance and worked your way towards Gatlinburg,
finish the day by stopping at The Peddler Restaurant. It's
built around an old cabin belonging to one of the area's early
residents and adjacent to a stream. You won't find a better steak
in the area and the salad bar is also one of the best. Expect to
pay a little extra for the aged beef, but the Peddler is guaranteed
not to disappoint.
Plan your visit so you can select from lodging
in the Gatlinburg area. If you enjoy a great bed and breakfast
inn, stay at Hippensteal's Mountain View Inn (http://www.Hippensteal.com)
and enjoy their wonderful breakfast--save The Burning Bush for
your next visit, or the Buckhorn Inn in the Arts and Crafts Community.
Hippensteal's has a very romantic atmosphere and boasts a splendid
view of Mt. LeConte. The Buckhorn Inn (http://www.BuckhornInn.com)
was established in 1938 and today still serves as a tranquil retreat
on 25 wooded acres with views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
If you prefer a cabin or chalet, stay in a property
managed by Jackson Mountain Homes in Gatlinburg (http://www.jacksonmtn.com).
For a condominium, try Acadia Resort (http://www.AcadiaResort.com).
If a motel is your preference, stay at the Kingwood Inn (http://www.KingwoodInn.com).
Their hospitality is unbeatable and it's on a quiet side street
right up against National Park property, yet only 1-1/2 blocks
from the main Parkway. The Gatlinburg trolley stops at the front
door.
If you need a great hiking outfitter, visit The
Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg (http://www.happyhiker.com). For
the angler, the Smoky Mountain Angler shop (http://www.SmokyMountainAngler.com)
is a must. Both shop owners know the area well and can make suggestions
that will make your visit a pleasant and successful one.
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A WEEK:
The recommendations
above assumed your interest in aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park and possibly a desire to avoid some of the crowds.
If you have more than a weekend to enjoy your Smoky Mountain vacation,
and you want to sample some of the action in towns, you've got
it made. You can enjoy just about everything worth doing and repeat
some of the things you like best. Certainly, you should include
the activities described for "A Weekend", but you should
also include the following:
Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Dollywood (http://www.Dollywood.com),
especially if the kids are along, has 22 rides, 40 shows, 50 craft
showcases, and other attractions--all on 118 acres with views of
the Smoky Mountains. (865) 428-9488
Dixie Stampede - Enjoy a four-course meal while you
watch 32 horses, trick riding, racing pigs, and a rousing,
patriotic finale. (865) 453-4400
Comedy Barn Theater - Comedians, magicians, jugglers,
fire-eaters, and country music. Entertainment suitable for
the entire family. Open year round. (865) 428-5222
Outlet Shopping Malls - more than 100 brand-name outlet
stores (on both sides of the Parkway in Pigeon Forge) including
Nike, Bugle Boy, Bass, Levis, and many more.
Lodging - In Pigeon Forge, stay at the Eagles Ridge (http://www.EaglesRidge.com)
or Country Oaks (http://www.CountryOaks.com) vacation
cabin rentals.
Gatlinburg Tennessee
The Ripley's Aquarium is supposed to be
finished in time for Fall 2000 (as of September 5, 2000 it is not
finished). It is one of the most anticipated attractions for the
city of Gatlinburg.
Walk the Parkway, people watch, ride the tram to Ober Gatlinburg
for a magnificent view of Gatlinburg at night and the Smoky Mountains
by morning or afternoon light and then stop at Humdinger's Frozen
Yogurt shop just off the Parkway.
Arts & Crafts Community features the work of artisans
in more than 70 shops. It's a day's worth of trip and you
can stop at the Wild Plum Tea Shop for a delightful
lunch.
Arrowmont Craft Shop features the products by members
of the Southern Highlands Handicraft Guild; Aunt Mahalia's
Candy shop for the pecan nests; Humdinger's Frozen Yogurt
for the strawberry or peach flavored yogurt.
The Village - (http://www.theVillageShops.com)
27 unique shops in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg in an
Alpine setting.
TIP: Parking is at a premium and relatively
expensive, so plan your stay in lodging where you can park your
vehicle and take the trolley.
Sevierville area
Governor's Palace - singing and dancing
on lavish sets, dazzling costumes on 3 stages. Features the Blackwood
Quartet. (865) 428-5888
Tennessee Smokies baseball (seasonal) -
(http://www.SmokiesBaseball.com).
Southern Nights Theater - on the Parkway 800-988-7804
In Sevierville stay at the Blue Mountain Mist
Bed and Breakfast inn (http://www.BlueMountainMist.com),
which sits on 60 acres looking out on the surrounding mountains.
The innkeepers are descendants of original settlers in the area
and have a wealth of historical information about the Smokies
area and inhabitants. Besides that, you get a delightful full
country breakfast.
Townsend area
The Townsend entrance (northwest quadrant of
the Park) is the most convenient to access Cades Cove (described
above), which is the "must see" attraction in the Park.
Tuckaleechee Caverns (http://www.smokymountains.org)
From April until the end of October stop on the way to the caverns
to eat at the Tuckaleechee Trout Farm Restaurant (http://www.TroutSmiths.com)
where you can catch your own meal (or the owners will catch it
for you) and prepare only minutes later. If you like trout or
want to try it for the first time, understand that their ponds
are replenished from a natural spring that pumps over 1,000 gallons
of water per minute--the result is no fishy taste! The hushpuppies
are to die for, and save room for the fruit cobblers.
TIP: They are widening the road in Townsend
to four lanes (as of Summer and Fall 2000). The department of tourism
warns travelers of the construction, but fails to mention that
it causes no real problem, because 2 lanes are open--which is how
many lanes have been open for the past few decades.
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MISCELLANEOUS POINTS OF INTEREST &
WEB SITES:
Park Web Site: Lots of Park info at (http://www.GSMNP.com)
and
(http://www.nps.gov).
Waterfalls - (http://www.RodsGuide.com/waterfalls.aspx)
hikes to waterfalls in the Smokies
Cataloochee is North Carolina's answer
to Cades Cove--without the crowds. This is a place to avoid crowing
and gain some solitude even in the Fall when foliage color is at
its peak.
Cosby area - The Cosby entrance to the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the 2 quietest entrances
(Wears Valley being the other) and offers access to some of the
best hiking trails in the area.
Closest Airport: McGhee-Tyson by Knoxville,
Tennessee - (865) 970-2773
J & S Cafeteria (Pigeon Forge) - great
food and live music entertainment. If you are lucky, Clyde Foley
Cummings will be entertaining the day you visit.
Tastebuds Café (Sevierville) - Gourmet cuisine in the hills yet! Terrific food and everybody knows it so call for a reservation -
Golf Courses: There are several golf courses in the area.
For details, go to: http://www.rodsguide.com/golf.aspx.
Directions to the Smokies: Visit our web site at: http://www.rodsguide.com/directns.aspx.