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Smoky Mountain Traveling Tips
What is it about the Smoky Mountain region that makes it
such a favorite of tourists year round? Undoubtedly the
major draw is the beauty of the natural landscape itself.
The Smoky Mountains are world famous for their unique, vibrantly
colored foliage and the texture of the rolling hills. The
Smoky Mountains are a one of a kind experience that must
be seen with the naked eye to be fully appreciated for their
color, texture and scale.
But beyond the wonder of the natural environment there are
a multitude of other attractions to make your visit a truly
memorable one. Over the years, as the numbers of tourists
visiting the area has increased in number, so too has the
availability of almost every conceivable related travel
experience. Because there are so many attractions to choose
from it is helpful to plan ahead and know what types of
adventures you’d like to add to your Smoky Mountain
experience.
Checkout the Numerous Smoky Mountain Attractions in the Smokies
Here are some popular outdoor attractions:
The park consists of 520,000 acres in Tennessee and North
Carolina. US Highway 441 is the only major road in the area
that spans the park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC. Clingmans
Dome is the highest elevation in the park at 6,642 feet
and is approx. 21 miles from Gatlinburg. The park has approx.
1,500 species of flowering plants and more than 900 miles
of foot trails. The park was once privately owned timber
land but most was returned to Nature when the park was dedicated
in 1940. There are two primary visitors' centers. One is
the Sugarlands Visitors' Center in Gatlinburg. The other
is the Oconaluftee Visitors' Center near Cherokee, NC. Both
have a gift shop to pick up park memorabilia. At Oconaluftee,
there is a reconstruction of a Pioneer Farmhouse dating
back to the 1800's.
Tuckaleechee Caverns - Townsend
825 Cavern Road
Townsend, Tennessee (approx. 15 miles from Pigeon Forge)
865-448-2274
An excellent cave to visit in the Smokies. Tuckaleechee
Caverns is nestled under the Great Smoky Mountains between
Cades Cove and Pigeon Forge. It provides magnificent geologic
sights and is an easy walking cave.
The Lost
Sea
140 Lost Sea Road
Sweetwater, TN 37874
423-337-6616
A US-Registered natural landmark approximately 50 miles
from Gatlinburg between Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN on
I-75 South at Exit 60. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records
as one of the world's largest underground lakes. Experience
this unforgettable tour including a glass-bottom boat ride
on a 4.5 acre UNDERGROUND LAKE. Open all year.
Rafting the Smokies: (800-776-7238)
No experience necessary. Whitewater rafting is fun for the
whole family. Children of all ages will enjoy this fun-filled
experience. For beginners as well as advanced rafters, Rafting
in the Smokies offers the ultimate family outdoor adventure.
PopularSmoky Mountain Hiking Trails:
Old Sugarlands Road; 3 miles of easy walking; 300' climb;
a beautiful walk through pine-oak woods along the Little
Pigeon River.
Kephart Prong; 4 miles; easy; 830' climb; follows road past
abandoned fish hatchery and CCC camp.
Juneywhack Falls; 1.5 miles; moderate; 150' climb; short
hike to unusual cascade.
Indian Creek Falls; 2 miles; easy; 100' climb; follow creek
to 60' waterfall.
Abrams Falls; 5 miles; moderate; 340' climb; walk along
clear stream to 20' falls.
Upper Little River; 6 miles; easy; 500' climb; follows Little
River; good views of boulders and rushing water.
Rainbow Falls; 5.5 miles; moderate; 1,750' climb; follows
LeConte Creek to 80' waterfall.
Hen Wallow Falls; 4 miles; moderate; 520' climb; walk through
large trees.
>>Click
here for more information on the history of the Smoky Mountains
>> Smoky
Mountain Indoor Activities
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