Smoky Mountain National Park covers more than half a million acres and is home to a large diversity of wildlife and more than four thousand species of plants. Black bears can be seen on many of the trails in the park and quite frequently in Cades Cove and some campgrounds. Despite their rather cute appearance, they are not to be messed with.
Once a part of the Cherokee Indian homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails within the borders of the park. There are all classes of hiking trails for those that are just out for a nature walk to those that are serious hikers and climbers. You can even get backcountry permits to hike some of the more obscure trails not open to the general public.
The park is the most visited National Park in the entire United States with more than nine million visitors each year. You will want to plan out your adventure through the park as traffic can get quite congested in some of the more popular areas of the park, especially during the more popular summer months.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is serviced by the towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend on the Tennessee side and by Maggie Valley and Cherokee on the North Carolina side. Each town offers a diverse mixture of activities, shopping, dining, lodging and of course, great southern hospitality.
Smoky Mountain National Park is also home to Cades Cove, one of the most serene and picturesque locations in the eastern United States. Cades Cove is a must see if you are anywhere near the Smoky Mountains on your vacation. The highlight of Cades Cove is the 11 mile loop that encircles the valley. To catch a glimpse of some of the Smokies wildlife, plan your trip around the loop road early in the morning or at dusk.
You will be able step back in history and enjoy the pioneer spirit for a few hours or a full day when you visit Cades Cove. Don't miss it.
There are an endless amount of activities to enjoy while visiting the Smoky Mountain National Park such as hiking as I mentioned earlier, biking, camping, wildlife watching, tubing and white water rafting and much more.
Come to the Smokies and experience the reason more than 9 million people vacation in this serene mountain paradise each and every year.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Situated on both sides of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park still remains the most popular national park for every road trip planner. Attracting over nine million adventurers and sightseers every year, it is the most visited national park in the United States. This summer, grab your gear and head off to the massive Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Planning your summer road trip will make you realize that there are so many things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You would most certainly want to experience all of them. The size of the park might pose as overwhelming, but the Smoky Mountain Heritage Driving Tour will surely help you discover the park at your own pace on a self-guided automobile tour. Take your time driving yourself around to seek out landmarks, mountain culture and heritage, the captivating aura of the neighborhoods and, of course, the history of the Smoky Mountains.
If you are looking for a unique way to wander around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then the English Mountain Llama Trek is perfect for you. The llama treks also allow you to move at your own timetable as you are welcome to arrange them for varying lengths of time. You have the option to choose a trekking trip with a picnic or even an overnight stay at one of the cabins and/or campgrounds affiliated with English Mountain Llama Trek. Children six years of age and older can join the treks as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
You can also spice up your summer road trip with an adventurous biking tour around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountain Bicycle Tour offers guided and self-guided tours to everyone. Mountain bikes and road bikes are offered for touring the mountains, the historical sights and other scenic areas in and around the park.
There are horseback riding opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well. Walden Creek Stables' Mountain Adventure Trail promises nothing but the best time. The ride takes about four hours and will take you through the valley, across the streams and to the top of the mountains where you can enjoy the most breathtaking views.
Note: During the summer months, the horseback rides are scheduled as early as 9 a.m. Should you wish to take the tour at an earlier time, arrangements can be made prior to your desired schedule.
Dare to challenge yourself physically on this summer road trip by conquering the bubbly and frothy whitewater. Raft yourself away with Rafting In The Smokies, which offers you the chance to experience the waters of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a very scenic and exhilarating way, even if you have no prior rafting experience. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the summer.
After the very exhilarating whitewater rafting experience, tone the activities down and relax with the Smoky Mountain Angler, the oldest fly fishing guide and outfitter in Gatlinburg. The Smoky Mountain Angler is authorized to give fly fishing guided services in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These services are offered to both professional fly fishermen and beginners.
The things you can do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park definitely spells out the words adventure and fun. You can bank it as one of the best summer vacations any road trip planner will have in his or her lifetime!
Both Alan Lestourgeon & David Reichman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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