Great Smoky Mountains National Park
State: Tennessee / North Carolina
Size: 522,427 acres
Topography: Mountain, Forested
Peak Season: Spring & Fall
Nearest Airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – 1 hr
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC / Gaitlinburg, TN / Bryson City, NC
Top 5 Hikes
Alum Cave Trail
Chimney Tops Trail
Laurel Falls Trail
Rainbow Falls Trail
Clingmans Dome Trail
Points of Interest
Clingmans Dome: The highest peak in the park, offering a paved trail and observation tower for sweeping views.
Alum Cave Trail: A moderate trail leading to a striking cave and offering beautiful vistas along the way.
Cades Cove: A scenic valley with a historic district, wildlife viewing, and hiking trails that showcase the beauty of the park.
Laurel Falls Trail: A short, easy hike leading to the park’s most famous waterfall.
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking – Over 850 miles of trails, including Clingmans Dome and Alum Cave.
Scenic Drives – Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road offer stunning vistas.
Wildlife Viewing – One of the best places to see black bears and elk.
Fishing – Over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams, perfect for fly fishing.
Fall Foliage – One of the best locations in the U.S. for autumn colors.
Camping
Cades Cove Campground (frontcountry)
Elkmont Campground (frontcountry)
Smokemont Campground (frontcountry)
Backcountry camping (permit required)