The Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the best national parks in the United States. Full of stunning views, incredible waterfalls, and beautiful wildlife, this park is a must-visit when passing through Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This park is perfect for everyone! Those who are physically able will enjoy the hikes, while others can enjoy the scenic views from the comfort of their cars at various overlooks. Here is a guide on how to spend a day in the park!
What to Do
The Smoky Mountain National Park is full of trails to hike, roads to cruise, and nature to discover. Some trails are more difficult than others, and the views from each trail can vary widely.
Camping, biking, fishing, and horseback riding are all popular activities within the park. There are cabins and campgrounds available for rent, as well as guided horse riding tours.
The most popular activities within the park are hiking the trails, searching for wildlife, and driving the scenic roads.
Where to see Wildlife
There are so many trails in the park, and each one has its benefits! To see wildlife, I highly suggest hiking a trail that is less popular. Trails that do not lead to waterfalls are less populated by other hikers, which gives you a bigger chance to see wildlife! I chose an overgrown, seemingly abandoned trail that did not lead to a waterfall or a mountain overlook towards the front of the park, and saw a black bear cub! Fighting through the overgrown thickets and following piles of bear scat (poop!) until I saw the little guy scurrying down a tree. Be careful though! Where there’s a baby, there’s a mom. I could definitely hear the mama black bear nearby but never saw her. I would suggest bringing a knife or pepper spray if you head into an overgrown trail.
When we saw the baby and heard the mama bear, we backed off immediately and left the area. It was one of the most beautiful, terrifying moments of my life! Black bears aren’t nearly as aggressive or territorial as grizzlies, but you definitely don’t want to make one mad!
Open areas can be a safer way to see wildlife from afar. Head to Cataloochee and Cades Cove to see elk, bear, turkeys, and other wildlife from a safer distance. Animals are typically most active at night, so you will have the best luck seeing them in the early morning or evening! The park closes after dark for those not staying on the campgrounds.
Waterfalls
Trails leading to waterfalls are extremely popular and for good reason! You will most likely not see any wildlife on these trails due to the popularity among hikers, but the waterfalls themselves are beautiful. The mountainous elevation and high rainfall in the area create beautiful waterfalls. There are 19 waterfalls found in the Smoky Mountain National Park! Trails leading to Grotto, Rainbow, Laurel, and Abrams Falls are the most popular.
Backcountry Hiking
Multiday backcountry hikes can lead you to astounding views in secluded areas of the park. However, hikers planning to stay overnight in the backcountry need a permit to do so. I was not able to go on a backcountry hike through the Appalachian trail, but I plan to do so in the future! If interested in these intense, beautiful hikes, check out the National Park Service’s rules for backcountry hiking in the Smokies here. I definitely want to make a multi-day trek through the backcountry in the future!
Auto Touring
For those who’d prefer to see the views from the comforts of their cars, auto touring is available in the park. Winding roads will take you through the forests, opening up to panoramic views of the mountains. You will even pass by some smaller waterfalls and historic buildings!
Traffic can become highly congested on the auto roads at peak seasons from July through August, and October weekends. To beat the crowds, go during the off-season, or drive the roads before 10 am and after 5 pm when traffic is lightest.
Even if you prefer physically hiking the trails, I suggest driving one of the auto roads! The views are well worth it.
When to Visit
The most beautiful time to visit the Smoky Mountain National Park is in the fall: late October through November. The weather can be chilly, but seeing the leaves changing colors on the mountains is one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see!
During my visit in the first week of October in 2018, the trees were just starting to change, but I missed the stunning colors by a matter of days. However, the weather was perfect when I visited!
The Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Visiting this park during my 2018 road trip was the best part of my trip!
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