Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide

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Moss-covered stream in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
Moss-covered stream in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina (Adam Jones/Photodisc/Getty)
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Tips

  • Above 4,500 feet, Smokies footpaths leave the hardwoods and tunnel-like rhododendron thickets and climb into fragrant Fraser fir and red spruce forests populated by juncos, boreal chickadees, red squirrels, and other creatures usually associated with the Canadian north woods. Higher still on some peaks are expansive heath meadows with great views known as balds, so named because pioneers periodically burned them to create grazing areas for cattle.
  • The Smokies are home more than 1,500 species of blooming plants, more than any other national park. The blooming season ranges from late winter (hepaticas) to late autumn (goldenrod), and in the interim you'll see blooms of purple-and-white-crested dwarf irises, brilliantly red notch-petaled fire pinks, the Fraser magnolia tree's large creamy-white flowers, and blue phlox. Through most of the warmer months, the sheer profusion of blooming flowers, bushes, and trees boggles the mind and eye, and any tramp through the backcountry will be amid a blaze of color.
  • Nearly 500 miles of fishable streams criss-cross the Smokies, from the upper prongs of Forney Creek at over 4,000 feet to the mouth of Abrams Creek, where it spills into Chilhowee Lake at less than 900 feet. Brook trout are the only native trout, but after the logging days of the late 19th and early 20th century, both brook and brown trout were stocked. Now, these three species, along with smallmouth bass in the lowest streams, thrive here.
  • This national park literally has hundreds of miles of trails for equestrians, including the only sections of the Appalachian Trail open to horseback riders. Also, five auto-accessible horse camps make riding the Smokies even easier. More than 40 backcountry campsites also welcome equestrians.
  • Learn about the Cherokee Nation at the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park Travel Guide

Cloaked in mystery, the Great Smoky Mountains were once known by the Cherokee as sha-cona-ge, "land of the blue mist" (or smoke). According to Cherokee legend, people and animals originally lived in the sky above the ocean. When the sky became overcrowded, a water beetle was sent to find land but could not, so it dived to the bottom of the ocean and brought up mud to form the Earth. The Smokies were then formed by a great buzzard whose wings touched the mud, hardening it into a mountain range. Geologists have a counter theory that says this range was actually formed by many upheavals and erosions of the land. Choose the one that appeals to you. Read More

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2 Questions | 2 Answers
  • Where to go to play in snow? I want to take my children to the smoky mountains, just to play in snow! We live down south and we don't get any snow. We don't want to ski, just enjoy the cold and snow. Any ideas?
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  • IVE NEVER BEEN THERE? what are the names of the campgrounds that has vac. the9th through the approx. the13th? we want to come from the smokies and camp there(Desota state) on the way home, we are from boaz.We have camped there before and it is beautiful, with the trees and falls around.
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question

Hotels

Cataloochee Ranch

119 Ranch Drive
Maggie Valley, TN 28751 Map

Distance: 20.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
3.0

Tsali Recreation Area Campground

c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16-A
Robbinsville, NC 28721 Map

Distance: 21.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0

LeConte Lodge

250 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, TN 37862 Map

Distance: 28.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
3.0
All Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels »
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Attractions

Unto These Hills

expert favorite attraction
Mountainside Theater on Drama Rd; US Highway 441 N., Cherokee Indian Reservation
Cherokee, North Carolina 28719

Distance: 12.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Unto these Hills is an outdoor drama that depicts the history of the Cherokee tribe from the... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Clingmans Dome

expert favorite attraction
c/o Great Smoky Mountains National Park,107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Distance: 18.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

expert favorite attraction
Nantahala National Forest
c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16A, Massey Branch Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771

Distance: 21.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a 3800-acre virgin forest that is part of the 17,000-acre Joyce... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
All Great Smoky Mountains National Park Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance (mi.)
Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 135.4 map
Charlotte Douglas Airport 142.7 map
Nashville Metropolitan Airport 187.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance (mi.)
Knoxville Mc Ghee Tyson Airport 39.9 map
Asheville Regional/Hendersonville Airport 51.5 map
Greer Greenville/Spartanburg Airport 72.4 map

Flight Deals to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Originating From
Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Atlanta (ATL) $147
Memphis (MEM) to Atlanta (ATL) $151
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Atlanta (ATL) $155
Kansas City (MKC) to Atlanta (ATL) $156
New Orleans (MSY) to Atlanta (ATL) $156

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