If you ever heard the phrase that the “early bird gets the worm”, this is certainly true with a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Since the park is open 24 hours, you can get an early start on popular trails to beat the crowds, take advantage of excellent parking availability, and more! Here are the top 4 benefits of being an early riser for your day at Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Hike Early To Beat The Crowds
If you want to see the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park without the crowds, get an early start to your hike! The parking lots for destinations like the Alum Cave Trail can fill up as early as 8:30 AM, so the earlier the better! By the time you are finishing up on a scenic hike in the late morning or early afternoon, you can head out of the park to grab lunch or take a nap back at your hotel! If you want to stick around in the park, the peak afternoon hours are an excellent time to visit some of the less popular trails!
2. Maximize The Amount Of Sunlight
Another one of the top benefits of being an early riser for your day at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is to maximize the amount of sunlight! This is particularly beneficial for those visiting the Smokies during the winter season when the hours of sunlight are much less than at other times of the year. The temperatures are much cooler in the early hours of the day, so remember to dress in layers to adequately prepare for the climate. As the temperatures climb throughout the day, you can shed layers to make yourself comfortable on the trails!
3. Avoid Traffic And Parking Hassles
Early risers can avoid many of the traffic and parking hassles that are problematic in some areas of the park, such as in Cades Cove or Laurel Falls! Keep in mind that parking tags are required when parking anywhere within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for over 15 minutes, and the tag is required 24 hours a day. If you are just planning to do a scenic morning drive along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail or other roads in the park, a parking tag is not necessary - just be mindful of your time when stopping at any of the overlooks!
4. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Many animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are active during the morning hours, awarding early risers with some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities! If you’re hoping to spot some of the park’s famous black bears, increase your odds by visiting Cades Cove in the morning during the spring and summer! You’re also likely to see white-tailed deer early in the day, and you’ll often notice them grazing in open fields.
Now that you know the benefits of being an early riser for your day at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, set your alarm to make the most of your day in the Smokies - you may even have time to catch a beautiful sunrise! Here are the top places to see a sunrise in the Smoky Mountains!
