Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide

The blue mist that envelope the peaks of the Smoky Mountains in the early mornings gives the mountains their name. Located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the mist should linger in years to come, because they're protected from development as part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Home to black bears, salamanders and every sort of wildlife in between, the mountains are among the oldest in the world and are not only a national park but a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Smokies are also part of an International Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy them while they last. Which should be for a long time.

Things to Do

This is the most-visited park in the United States, which implies, rightly, that you won't run out of things to do here. You can hike the many trails or go on a ranger-guided tour. Many visitors climb up Mount LeConte on the Alum Cave Trail.  Another popular walking trail leads to the Chimney Tops, while the Laurel Falls Trail arrives at an 80-foot waterfall. Clingman's Dome Trail winds up at an observation deck 50 feet high, providing excellent views of the surrounding landscape. Campers and backpackers can spend the night at the Mount LeConte Shelter on the Boulevard Trail, the Kephart Shelter on the Kephart Prong Trail. The more adventurous head for the Laurel Gap Shelter, which serves as base camp for those planning to spend days discovering what the Smokies wilderness holds. There are also five historic districts within the park that make a good itinerary for visitors with more relaxed explorations in mind. These are Cades Cove, Elkmont, Oconaluftee Archaeological District, Noah Ogle Place and Roaring Fork. For a short time in the winter, downhill skiing is possible in Cataloochee and Ober Gatlinburg.

Dining

Most of the cooking here is done over an open fire by campers and day-trippers. But there are camp stores and a couple of restaurants located within the park. These often have not only inadequate supplies but sky-high prices as well. If you want to eat in Mother Nature's dining room (recommended), just stop by a grocery store along the way. For a sit-down dinner on something other than a camp chair, your best bet is to head to the towns of Gatlinburg or Alcoa in Tennessee or Cherokee in North Carolina.

Shopping

There are some concessionaires within the park that sell souvenirs and necessities for your trip. The Cades Cove Visitor Center, the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center offer convenience items. You can pick up souvenirs at the Cades Cove Campground Store, Cades Cove Riding Stables, LeConte Lodge and Smokemont Riding Stables.    

Where to Go in Great Smoky Mountains National Park