Most folks tend to concentrate on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains and for good reason! It offers excellent highway accessibility, borders action-packed towns, and features iconic destinations like Cades Cove! However, the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina are equally as beautiful and much less crowded, creating a more laid-back atmosphere that you’ll love! Here are the 4 reasons to visit the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains:
1. Peaceful Atmosphere for a Back-to-Nature Experience
The North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains offers a peaceful atmosphere, which is why so many people want to visit the Smokies in the first place! However, you don’t have to worry about the traffic jams and parking headaches that affect the Tennessee side during the most popular times of the year!
While the North Carolina side is not as commercialized and you won’t find a nonstop stretch of go-kart tracks and mini golf courses just outside of the park, you’ll be rewarded with a true “back to nature” experience with dense forests, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking scenery!
2. Excellent National Park Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum
Another one of the reasons to visit the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains is to explore the excellent Oconaluftee Visitor Center, which is the ideal starting point as you enter the park’s South District! The facility offers cultural history exhibits, seasonal ranger-led programs, a bookstore, shop, restrooms, and more!
The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum is also a highlight because it contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse and corn crib. Both the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum are open daily year-round for your enjoyment!
3. Lots of Fun Hidden Gems
You’ll find lots of fun hidden gems on the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains, including Mingo Falls! While Laurel Falls, Ramsey Cascades, and Grotto Falls attract most of the attention on the Tennessee side, Mingo Falls is equally as impressive! This beautiful waterfall, which is located in the town of Cherokee just outside of the National Park, features a stunning 120-foot drop and can be accessed via a short but steep trail that includes about 160 steps!
Some of the other hidden gems include the Mingus Mill, a historic grist mill built in 1886 that still stands at its original site, the Road to Nowhere, and a deep emerald-green swimming hole called the Midnight Hole!
4. Charming Mountain Towns
While the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains boasts the towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you’ll find the charming mountain towns of Bryson City and Cherokee on the North Carolina side! This is your chance to go on a scenic excursion through beautiful river gorges on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, discover lesser-known hiking trails, and explore the rich cultural heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians!
Now that you know why you should visit the North Carolina Smoky Mountains, you might be wondering what specific destinations to put at the top of your itinerary! Therefore, check out some of our favorite places to visit on the peaceful side of the Smokies!
