The Great Smoky Mountains are a beautiful place where you can see rolling terrain, wildlife, and nature at its best.
There are a number of things to do in the park, but we’ve highlighted a few in particular that you don’t want to miss. Check them out:
Hiking beautiful trails
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National Park Service has great hiking information for you or your group. Take note of any closures during the winter and other seasons because the weather can change at high elevations.
Check out a few of these trails in the Great Smoky Mountains:
- Charlies Bunion. A 4 mile one-way trail with a 1,600 feet elevation change that leads along the Appalachian Trail to a high view of mountains and views. Get there by driving on Newfound Gap Road to Newfound Gap parking lot which is 13.2 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center or 16 miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The trailhead is to the left of the overlook, at the end of the parking lot near the restrooms.
- Alum Cave Bluffs. A 2.5 mile one-way trail with a 1,200 feet elevation change that leads to the bluffs. Get there by driving 8.6 miles on Newfound Gap Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center or 20 miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There is a sign and two large parking areas marking the trailhead.
- Andrews Bald. A 1.8 mile one-way trail with a 1,200 feet elevation change along the Forney Ridge Trail. Get to it by driving to the Clingmans Dome parking area at the end of Clingmans Dome Road. Look for a short access trail down to the left between the bulletin board and the paved trail to the Clingmans Dome Information center and Clingmans Dome tower.
- Rainbow Falls. A 2.7 mile one-way trail with a 1,700 feet elevation change that leads to an 80 foot waterfall. Take Historic Nature Trail Drive (traffic light #8 in Gatlinburg) into the park. At mile 3.4, just after the road becomes one-way, turn right into the Rainbow Falls Parking Area.
If you are not experienced in longer hikes or backpacking, we advise caution as you hike in this area. The weather can change at any moment.
RELATED: Best waterfalls in Great Smoky National Park
Camping in the Great Smoky Mountain
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For the average camper, you have 8 different places to choose for a night under the stars. Many of these range between $17-$25 a night. Be sure to bring heat-treated wood that’s bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. Wood from home could bring unwelcome bugs that could cause the forest harm.
Each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flushing toilets. Each site has a fire grate and a picnic table. Here are 8 areas to choose from:
- Abrams Creek Campground
- Balsam Mountain Campground
- Big Creek Campground
- Cades Cove Campground
- Cataloochee Campground
- Cosby Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Elkmont Campground
If you are experienced in backpacking and want to camp off a trail, you can stay in the park (with a permit).
Waterfalls in the woods
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What is more majestic than a waterfall? Not many things.
The park has 12 total waterfalls and cascades — 2 of which you can drive to. The tallest is 120 feet high (Mingo Falls), but most of them are impressive in their own way.
The drivable ones are:
- Meigs Falls. It’s off Little River Road, 13 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center (7 miles east of Townsend). If you’re not looking, it can be easily missed. Keep an eye out!
- The Sinks. It’s off Little River Road, 12 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center. It may be a smaller one, but the entire Little River flows over it.
The other waterfalls you have to hike to. If you are willing to hike up to 8 miles, you will be able to see some beautiful views of nature.
Wildlife viewing
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The Great Smoky Mountains is a great place to see wildlife and nature. Keep your distance as you could see deer, elk, black bears, raccoons, turkeys, woodchucks, or other animals.
The early morning or late at night is your best bet to see wildlife because many animals are out in the middle of the night.
Bring a pair of binocular and view until your heart is content.
NOTE: Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park.
Fall colors
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Once a season the leaves change to colors of red, amber, orange, and yellow. It’s a beautiful sight to see when these colors change. Peak season is mid-October to early November — only a few weeks.
Bring a picnic lunch and hike one of the many trails to view it for yourself.
The best ones to take are:
- Appalachian Trail
- Inspiration Point on Alum Cave Trail
- Oconaluftee River Trail
- Look Rock Tower
- Sutton Ridge Overlook
RELATED: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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