Winter is a beautiful time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Most people think about visiting during the other seasons throughout the year, but there’s something peaceful about visiting when everything is still and quiet in the winter. Plus, there are plenty of fun things to do when you have a full day to explore the park! Here are 4 ideas for a day trip to the Smoky Mountains in winter:
One of the best ways to explore the Smoky Mountains is with a professional guide! Whether you have a limited time in the Smokies or feel more comfortable with someone else navigating through the mountains, there are several fantastic options available! This is also a great way to learn about the history of the area while interacting with a guide who is happy to answer any of your questions! Here are the top 3 guided tours of the Smoky Mountains:
Whether you are a professional photographer or just someone who wants to take some cool shots of the Smokies to show your friends, you will find plenty of fantastic options throughout the National Park! While you can snap some beautiful photos virtually anywhere in the park, there are a few locations worth seeking out for some extra special photographs! Here are the top 4 places in the park that you should visit to take amazing pictures of the Smoky Mountains:
When starting your day at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, be sure to make the Sugarlands Visitor Center your first stop! This facility is conveniently located just a few miles south of the Gatlinburg entrance and has everything you need to prepare for an action packed day in the park! You will also find several beautiful hiking trails to explore, making it a great stop for when you need to stretch your legs! Here are 4 reasons why you should start your day at the Sugarlands Smoky Mountain Visitor Center:
If you want the perfect activity that mixes excitement with the beauty of the Smokies, horseback riding is the way to go! While you are riding on one of nature’s most beautiful creatures, you can take in the breathtaking views of the mountains. If you have never ridden a horse before, no need to worry. Here is your complete guide to horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains:
When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was being created, hundreds of families were asked to leave their mountain homes. While some folks complied and others fought to stay, most families moved immediately. There were a select few who received a special lifetime lease to stay in their log cabin, including the six unmarried Walker Sisters. Today, you can still visit this historic cabin while hiking along the Metcalf Bottoms Trail! Here is everything that you need to know about the Walker Sisters and their cabin on Metcalf Bottoms Trail:
Cades Cove is one of the most visited destinations in the national park, and you can experience all it has to offer when you visit! One of the best ways to explore it is on bike. There’s nothing better than feeling some mountain breeze in your hair while you take in all the gorgeous views around you. To help you prepare for an amazing ride, here’s everything you need to know about biking in Cades Cove:
Sometimes it can be hard to remember that people lived in the Smokies before it officially became the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, there are still some structures in the mountains that remind us of this history, including those from the Voorheis Estate. If you love finding hidden gems in the Smokies, then you'll love paying a visit to the House of the Fairies! Here’s everything you need to know about the House of the Fairies in the Smoky Mountains:
Newfound Gap is one of the most popular drives through the Smoky Mountains. It has an elevation of 5,056 feet, which makes it the lowest drivable pass through the Smoky Mountains. The views as you travel along Newfound Gap Road are amazing, but there are also other things you can see while traveling the 33 miles from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina. Here are 4 of the most popular spots along Newfound Gap Road:
When you explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you are constantly reminded that people once lived here with remains such as old cabins, churches, homesteads, and cemeteries. In fact, there are more than 150 documented cemeteries within the boundary of the park that offer a glimpse into past burial customs, religious beliefs, and cultural influences! Here are 4 cemeteries that are a fascinating part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park history:
Sometimes known as the “Wildflower National Park”, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is packed with beautiful blooms. This spring has brought a variety of some of the most iconic and unique flowers out, coloring the Smokies with mesmerizing florals. With over 1,600 species of flowering plants to find, visitors are in for a treat! Here are 5 beautiful Smoky Mountain wildflowers to look for this spring in the Smokies:
There are some incredible places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park everyone wants to see. When you see these hiking trails and scenic drives, you’ll understand why they are so popular. Here are 5 of the most popular places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
When people come to the Smoky Mountains in the fall, they want to take in the beauty of the changing leaves. There are several ways you can get out in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and enjoy the foliage, as well as the other fun things the Smokies have to offer. Here are the top 3 things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the fall:
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park began reopening May 9! The reopening of the park will happen in phases, and the first phase lasted for 2 weeks. The first phase included the opening of many of the roads and trails in the park. The second phase kicked off on May 19, and more things slowly have been reopening. On Sept. 3, even more areas in the park reopened! We’ve got all the details on the reopening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
The Smoky Mountains are home to popular spots you’ll love, like Cades Cove and Laurel Falls, but there are also some hidden gems in the park! If you’re hoping to step off the beaten path on your vacation and explore some lesser known areas, we can help. We’ve made a list of 5 hidden places in the Smoky Mountains you have to find.
