Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reviews 20

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Steve Markos

I am a writer and photographer for National Park Planner and I visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in November 2014. Over nine million people visit the park every year, which makes it the most visited of any park with the “National Park” designation. It gets three times the number of visitors as does Yellowstone, and more than double that of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Of National Park Service properties, only the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco and the Blue Ridge Parkway get more visitors each year. Most people think of the Smoky Mountains as a place of scenic beauty and outdoor recreation, and that is certainly no misconception. There are over 800 miles of trails in the park and all are open to hikers, while nearly 500 miles of these are available to horseback riders as well. Mountain biking, on the other hand, is allowed only on four short trails. Road biking is allowed, but discouraged in most places due to narrow, winding roads. In addition to hiking, visitors can fish in the streams and may catch a glimpse of bears, elk, deer, turkey, and other animals. Another popular activity is camping. There are nine developed, “frontcountry” campgrounds spread throughout the 814 square miles of park land and nearly 100 backcountry campsites for those who want to tackle an overnight hiking and camping trip. There are even campgrounds specifically for groups and for those with horses or other pack animals. Two of the frontcountry campgrounds are open year round, while the others are only open seasonally, usually from April through November. What people do not associate the park with is human history, yet there is plenty of that as well. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the only National Park not created with land already owned by the government or donated by private individuals. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, everyone who once lived here was forced to sell their land so that the park could be created (authorized in 1934 and opened in 1940). Many buildings from their mountain homesteads remain in existence. Also, over one hundred cemeteries, some small family plots and others larger church cemeteries, are within the park boundaries. Many can easily be found along the roads and trails, while others can only be found by those who know where to look. For more information on the park and over 400 quality photos, visit National Park Planner (npplan).

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J Ratliff

After traveling on the strip in Gatlinburg head into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Climb the seemingly ever growing mountains with plenty of places for beath taking photos. Look for wild life and you might be lucky enough to see a black bear, just a beautiful sight to see; I was privileged to see a momma bear with her cub walking just beneath the treeline and every car stopped to see these awesome wild animals walk out in eyeshot distance for a brief moment. Be sure to go to Clingmans dome to the top the mountains 6,643 feet and then you will know why its called the Smoky mountains. I love the temperature drop even on a hot and sunny day there is still a very crisp chill ontop of the mountain. If you dont time it right they will close this part of the park off due to the snow. There is a reason people come every year to the Smokies and keep coming back and thats because it is refreshing, visually stunning, and has a very unique unspeakable quality that leaves you at peace.

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Dedra Fondren

We have been to the Smoky Mountains many times. It is a very beautiful place. We went to spent the weekend ,last weekend on Memorial day weekend, and had the worst trip ever. Our car broke down on the road going into Cades Cove and we were on the side of the road for over 5 hours before we got any help. There is not any cell phone service there, so I kept asking people who stopped to call a tow truck for us, when they got to cell service. After we were there about 2 1/2 hours a park ranger came by and said he would send another ranger and they would get us a tow truck but he never came. After 10:00 p.m., a man came by and went and found a tow truck and brought him back to us. I think the park rangers or someone should have been able to get us help faster than 5 hours.

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Sara Spalding

We just returned from another trip to the Smokey Mountains National Park and absolutely loved it, again. The trails are a fantastic mix of scenic views, beautiful waterfalls, and quiet forests. The trails themselves are engineering masterpieces. My husband and I have long-distanced hiked in many places in North and South America and the trails in the Smokey Mountains are the best maintained we have ever seen. The Friends of the Smokies have done an amazing job building stone steps, bridges, water runoffs, cables, and other improvements that make the trails a pleasure to hike. The park is also extremely accessible making it easy to enter the Park, do a day hike, and then have dinner and live music in Gatlinburg afterward.

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A Private User

Not a good value. My husband and I stayed at Brave Eagle. For the price, it was not a good value. Had it been about $50 cheaper a night I would have been okay with it. The cabin was incredibly poorly stocked. The kitchen was the worst stocked kitchen I have ever been in, not even enough dishes for the number allowed in the cabin, very few pots and and pans, nothing for the oven. The TV was ancient, the channel selection dismal, and there was only 1 hanger in the closet. Proximity to the National Park was a plus. The view was okay if you positioned yourself well - the pictures left out the huge cellular tower nearby that flashed white / red lights into the bedroom.

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topoel1980

of course, is somewhat similar to the low mountain ranges in Germany, but somehow everything is wider and bigger. In addition, the flora is much wilder and nonconformist, as we know it from the native plants. We were mainly traveling by car, but are also several km migrated and can only recommend the park.

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Doug Hall

One of the most beautiful places in the United States and worth spending time here to explore and to relax. The hiking trails through Blue Ridge are wonderful and extremely popular, but my favorite activity is hanging out at the camp site and cooking (be bear aware). The west coast has the old growth forests, but we have the old rolling mountains. I recommend this park if you want to relax and enjoy the hiking trails. Those of you out West should come here to experience why Lewis and Clark wanted to explore the rest of the country. Also, the hikes happen below 10,000 feet, so they are much easier than anything in the Rockies.

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קרן יפה

 Especially impressive park offered many options for walkers in all ages. The Best so far waited trails, waterfalls are at varying distances from the parking, observation, hiking trails to splash water tubing rent. Shortened, especially recommended to arrive a few days and read about the park and plan activities accordingly.

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Update

Originally Cherokee homeland, America’s most-visited national park first opened in 1940 and covers some 520,000 acres of protected Tennessee and North Carolina forestland that’s bisected by the Appalachian Trail. Whether hiking Chimney Tops (or any of the 800 miles of trails) or driving the super-scenic U.S. Highway 441, visitors are sure to get an eyeful of the mystical haze that inspired the park’s name. To escape the crowds, park ranger Caitlin Worth recommends heading to Balsam Mountain Road, a high-elevation gravel road accessible from the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Jeff Aguero

As the most visited National Park in the US, it’s clearly got a lot to offer, though it seems many visitors (myself included) make there way here in transit between the east coast and the south. I visited in March 2016 and given it was the end of off-season, many facilities were closed. The most spectacular scenery was seen while driving, and while our hike along a river in the middle of the park was pleasant (as recommended by the ranger), it wasn’t particularly memorable. I know the park has more to offer, so I’m hoping to return for a longer visit sometime soon.

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A Private User

A group of friends stayed at Smoky Bear Manor this past weekend and we had a blast. A tip to future renters of Smoky Bear Manor, this property is not within any of the Gatlinburg Falls resort areas, it is about a fifteen minute drive from the Legacy Mountain resort. However, this cabin is very nice, and a great value for 5 bedrooms. It is very secluded and perfect for those who want a bit more privacy. On another note, AT&T does not have service anywhere near this cabin, so make sure you call and give everyone directions before you arrive at the cabin.

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A Banerjee

ALways 5 star, no matter when we visit, Green summers, orange Fall, white Winter and flowery Spring. And there is of course the chance of aglimpse of the black bear or the wild turkeys, or the black bucks. The streams are always gushing, waterfalls always roaring, and views always therapeutic. Waterfalls are beautiful though after a rainfall, or a couple days of heat after a snowfall. Fall Colors are best last week of October and first week November, June is the time for synchronous fire-flys, April-May is the best time for wildflowers.

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Aras Zygas

Truly the gem of the Appalachians! We spent four soggy-yet-stupendous nights in the backcountry. The well maintained trails led us off the beaten path through various mystical forest habitats and the backcountry campsites nestled among mountain streams truly elevated our experience. We also spent a couple nights at Deep Creek Campground where tubing down the river provides a thrill for all ages. Driving through the park proves a marvelous romp for the less adventurous, but I encourage you to stretch your legs and hit the trails!

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beth smith

My husband and I and our son spent many years there. My husband was a ut graduate.We always planned to retire there.I lost him to cancer last Nov. I will be bringing his ashes "home" to where his wishes were. t The park service have told me where I can go and it will be all our favorite places. Cades Cove was one of our most loved. It will be a very hard time for me. I will come in early fall before it gets real busy again. I know God will help me. Everyone enjoy the Smokies. One of Gods true places.

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Jill Teige

This park is breathtaking, and full of park service to help you figure out the activities best for you. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center has lots of information, several staff, clean bathrooms, a gift shop, and a 1900th-century working farm to visit right outside! The Oconaluftee River flows right behind the main buildings and is a great depth for wading, and there are several nearby trailheads (including one with a working water-powered stone mill) if you need more things to do.

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Jason Grubbs

This part of the country is absolutely beautiful. No matter what time of the year it is, this park always offers stunning views. My personal favorite times are in the fall when the leaves are changing and in the winter (if you can time it to see snow and ice). The trails, rest areas, and visitors centers are always clean and well maintained. Be on the lookout for wildlife as it is common to see black bears and elk have also be reintroduced back into the area.

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Matt Carlin

The National Parks are a treasure and the Smokies are no exception. Although it poured most of the time I visited, there were still ways to enjoy the park. The scenic drive through Cades Cove was nice with plenty of great views. There are also numerous scenic lookouts throughout the rest of the park that show the true beauty of the mountains. Cades Cove campground has decent amenities and the camp store had practically anything you would need while away.

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A Private User

The view looked like a fake movie background in a fairytale and the cabin was perfect down to the last detail. It was very clean and had just enough utensils in the kitchen to make our own meals and cuddle indoors. They could add a sponge and oven mitt though bc getting our food out of the oven was quite a feat. Other than that it was perfect It is very close to gatlinburg and pigeon forge which was a plus when we wanted to venture out.

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kate burn

I could go on and on and on about how beautiful and breathtaking this park is. We spent 4 days hiking on our visit to gatlinburg. We went to the Alum Cave and Bluffs, roaring fork motor trail which we made many stops along the way to explore and to take photos. There is seriously nothing like being in this park. It was an absolute perfect place to admire all of mother natures beauty. I miss it so much already and cannot wait to return.

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A Private User

Great time/Great cabin. My wife and I stayed at Time Out. Great location to get to downtown Gatlinburg or National park. Cabin was clean and everything was in working order. Off season rates were better than most especially for a prime cabin. The bed was not comfy at all, but there is a sleeper sofa and bunk beds to chose from. Overall a great time, for the right price. Best vacation ever!!!! Hike the national park.....incredible.

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