One of the best things to do when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is admire the breathtaking views. The Smokies are some of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, yet the beauty never ages! Let us tell you about some of our favorite places to go and see them! Here is a list of 3 spots in the park that offer the best Smoky Mountain views:
1. Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is one great place in the Smokies to see mountain views. One popular way to reach it is by hiking the Alum Cave Trail. Inspiration Point is located at the 2.0-mile marker. The spot offers hikers an unobstructed view of many peaks, such as Ankeesta Ridge, Chimney Tops, and Sugarland Mountain. If you choose to continue on, the Alum Cave Trail has a round-trip distance of 5 miles. The route has some steep parts, so it is considered moderately challenging. Other features to look out for include the Alum Cave Bluffs. It is a rocky overhang at the top of some stone steps. The overhang is made up of the rarest and driest minerals in the world. Along with Inspiration Point, this is a great place to stop and take photos.
2. Morton Overlook
The Morton Overlook is another great spot that offers the best Smoky Mountain views. Visitors can get to it by taking the Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg. You will see it after you pass through the Morton Mountain Tunnel. If you’re curious about a good time to go, early morning or evening is the best. This is because you can see the sunrise and sunset! Newfound Gap Road as a whole is one great scenic drive. It starts at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg and ends at the Mountain Farm Museum in North Carolina. The whole drive takes about 60 to 90 minutes. The drive has other overlooks as well as picnic areas where you can stop for a delicious lunch.
3. Mount Cammerer Fire Tower
Hikers will love seeing Smoky Mountain views from the Mount Cammerer Fire Tower. The structure sits at an elevation of 4,928 feet and offers some stunning panoramic Mountain views. Keep in mind that the hike to get there is challenging, as it has a roundtrip distance of 11.2 miles and takes around 6 hours to complete. Along the way, you will see many beautiful sights. The first portion of the route is the Low Gap Trail. Little wildflowers grow in the ground every spring. Hikers will also walk along the Appalachian Trail for another portion. The whole trail is over 2,000 miles and goes through the Smokies. When you go inside the fire tower, one of the peaks you’ll see is Mt. Sterling. The height is 5,843 feet. You can also see Snowbird Mountain which is 4,263 feet high.
We hope you get the chance to visit all of these great spots and see some stunning Smoky Mountain views. Check out our other list of ways you can find the best views in the Smoky Mountains!
