2018 Great Lakes States – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN
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Wednesday September 26th –
Monday, October 1st
Smokey Bear Campground, Gatlinburg, TN
For 20+ years we have visited the Smoky Mountains, but always on the North Carolina side. Since we were coming from the north, we stayed near Gatlinburg in a very nice RV campground. The campground was probably the nicest that we have stayed in during this trip; very well managed, maintained, great amenities and excellent sites. The Tennessee side of this N.P. is different from the south side. There were more access points to various places within the Park for hiking and driving tours. We spent five days visiting various parts of the Park. We were able to mostly avoid the tourist trap of Gatlinburg, however, the drive into the Park forced visitors to drive through the fray. The second day to the Park, we found the back roads and parkway that allowed us to bypass this crazy city.
Our first day there we went to the Visitors Center in the Park. We received various brochures and maps to plan our activities. There is so much to do in this park, especially from this north entrance. The first tour we did was to drive the Cades Cove loop. This place lies in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. . The 11 mile loop provides a chance to see historical homesteads that were settled by Europeans during 1818 to 1821. The settlers thrived in this valley until 1934 when the land was acquired for the National Park. There are many remaining log houses, churches, working grist mill, barns and other 18th and 19th century structures. There are also several hiking trails to get back to some of these sites and waterfalls. The weather was perfect that day and we had a picnic lunch with us. We also took the dogs along for a nice outing.
Kurt found a hiking trail right next to the RV Park where he took the dogs for a hike and run. They all had some fun and exercise. The next day we drove back to the Park to hike a trail back to Hen Wallow Falls, which was near the eastern side of the Park. The trail was semi-strenuous, with a couple of creek crossings and finally at the top near the peak was the waterfall. It was a good trail for getting some exercise.
The next day we drove back by the Visitor Center and along the main Park road. We were able to find parking at the Laurel Falls trailhead. This hike was highly populated, but still a good hike up to the waterfall. The views of the Smokys from the trail were amazing. It never fails to amaze us that visitors will take crazy risks, a family climbed up the rocks of the waterfall to get pictures. There were signs all around warning not to climb up the falls. They don’t realize the power of the water and the slick rocks, but you can’t fix stupid. However, the Ranger just happened to come by and make them get down. It was an enjoyable hike and the falls were beautiful.
Another day we brought our bicycles back to the park and rode the Gatlinburg Trail, the only trail where one can ride their bikes or hike their dogs. This trail is only 1.5 miles long and ends at the edge of the town of Gatlinburg, so we rode it out and back. It was a nice time to get out and ride.
The last day there, we drove the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail. Along this drive there were various hiking trailheads, cascading creeks and waterfalls. Also there were some historic, restored structures. It was a beautiful drive through dense forest.
The only activity we didn’t get to do was drive and hike up to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smokys. The road up to the peak was closed due to a missing woman hiker. They finally found her 7 days later, she apparently fell down a steep slope and did not survive. So sad. We will be able to visit next summer when we stay near the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side. There is an access road from the south Visitors Center at Oconaluftee, near Cherokee. Looking forward to returning there next summer.
For 20+ years we have visited the Smoky Mountains, but always on the North Carolina side. Since we were coming from the north, we stayed near Gatlinburg in a very nice RV campground. The campground was probably the nicest that we have stayed in during this trip; very well managed, maintained, great amenities and excellent sites. The Tennessee side of this N.P. is different from the south side. There were more access points to various places within the Park for hiking and driving tours. We spent five days visiting various parts of the Park. We were able to mostly avoid the tourist trap of Gatlinburg, however, the drive into the Park forced visitors to drive through the fray. The second day to the Park, we found the back roads and parkway that allowed us to bypass this crazy city.
Our first day there we went to the Visitors Center in the Park. We received various brochures and maps to plan our activities. There is so much to do in this park, especially from this north entrance. The first tour we did was to drive the Cades Cove loop. This place lies in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. . The 11 mile loop provides a chance to see historical homesteads that were settled by Europeans during 1818 to 1821. The settlers thrived in this valley until 1934 when the land was acquired for the National Park. There are many remaining log houses, churches, working grist mill, barns and other 18th and 19th century structures. There are also several hiking trails to get back to some of these sites and waterfalls. The weather was perfect that day and we had a picnic lunch with us. We also took the dogs along for a nice outing.
Kurt found a hiking trail right next to the RV Park where he took the dogs for a hike and run. They all had some fun and exercise. The next day we drove back to the Park to hike a trail back to Hen Wallow Falls, which was near the eastern side of the Park. The trail was semi-strenuous, with a couple of creek crossings and finally at the top near the peak was the waterfall. It was a good trail for getting some exercise.
The next day we drove back by the Visitor Center and along the main Park road. We were able to find parking at the Laurel Falls trailhead. This hike was highly populated, but still a good hike up to the waterfall. The views of the Smokys from the trail were amazing. It never fails to amaze us that visitors will take crazy risks, a family climbed up the rocks of the waterfall to get pictures. There were signs all around warning not to climb up the falls. They don’t realize the power of the water and the slick rocks, but you can’t fix stupid. However, the Ranger just happened to come by and make them get down. It was an enjoyable hike and the falls were beautiful.
Another day we brought our bicycles back to the park and rode the Gatlinburg Trail, the only trail where one can ride their bikes or hike their dogs. This trail is only 1.5 miles long and ends at the edge of the town of Gatlinburg, so we rode it out and back. It was a nice time to get out and ride.
The last day there, we drove the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail. Along this drive there were various hiking trailheads, cascading creeks and waterfalls. Also there were some historic, restored structures. It was a beautiful drive through dense forest.
The only activity we didn’t get to do was drive and hike up to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smokys. The road up to the peak was closed due to a missing woman hiker. They finally found her 7 days later, she apparently fell down a steep slope and did not survive. So sad. We will be able to visit next summer when we stay near the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side. There is an access road from the south Visitors Center at Oconaluftee, near Cherokee. Looking forward to returning there next summer.
