Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This 500,000 acres wonder of nature is the most visited national park in the US. A division of the Appalachian mountain chain and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains are home to some of the most diverse wildlife and plant life in North America.

The “ Smoke” that shrouds the peaks of the 16 different mountains like a blue mist is from water vapors that rise and hang in the humid air. The climate in the park is considered moderate with four distinct seasons. The park has more annual rainfall than anywhere in North America outside of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The park is considered 95% forested with the largest block of deciduous, temperate old growth forest and home to over 10,000 species of plants. The wildlife in the park includes Black Bear, Whitetail Deer, Mountain Lions, Wolves, Turkeys, and Bison. The newest addition to the park is the reintroduction of Elk, River Otters, and Black Bears.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 miles of hiking trails. There are easy trails touring through the wooded areas where there are opportunities to see wildlife and plants and several of the many different types of centuries old trees. There are more challenging trails also that will take you from the lowest elevation in the park of 876 feet to the highest point at 6665 feet at the summit of Clingman’s dome. The park is home to many other outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and biking.

We have highlighted a few of the more popular features of the park and hope that you will make the short journey from any of our cabins to enjoy the splendor of this national treasure.

The most popular destination inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Cades Cove. This fertile 6800-acre valley is home to an 11-mile loop that can be toured by car, hayride, bike, or walking.

The earliest recording of Cades Cove was by European settlers in 1818. At that time the Cherokee Indians used the area as a summer hunting ground for the ample wildlife available. In 1838 President Andrew Jackson displaced over 14,000 Cherokee Indians by sending them on the “ Trail of Tears to relocate them west of the Mississippi river. This opened the area up further for American settlement until the Civil War. The area was shattered by the war and the local settlers became very untrusting of outsiders causing over the over 700 resident to be intermarried and related by 1900. In 1920 after over 30 years of logging and other environmental destruction in the area the park movement began to protect what was left of the mountain.

Cades Cove is home to several early 19th century buildings including churches, log cabins, a gristmill, and several barns. You can tour an old school and homes of early settlers. In addition to the buildings the most exciting part of Cades Cove are the animals, which are still roaming freely. These animals include Bison, Mountain Lions, and wolves. The most common animals viewed in Cades Cove are Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, and Turkeys. Some of the more recent animals reintroduced to the park are the Elk, River Otters, and Barn Owls.

Do not miss this exciting part of the park. It is open to visitors from Daylight to Dark 7 days per week. The loop is closed to cars at 10:00a.m each day for a few hours to allow pedestrians to view the area in peace and quiet. The best way to see is by hayride, which is the mode of public transportation inside the cove.

Another popular spot for tourists, Clingman’s Dome is worth the trip. The view stretches from 20 miles on the cloudiest of days to over 100 mile son clear days. The 360-degree view from the observation tower is the best way to take in all the grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains. Clingman’s Dome is estimated to be between 200-300 million years old and is made up of sandstone eroded over time. The soil makeup and the moist climate at the summit make it home to mostly Spruce- Fir trees.

The summit can be reached by way of a 7 mile paved road leading off to a .5 mile paved trail to the concrete viewing tower. At the tower there are ample signs explaining all the different peaks and views. Also, the Appalachian Trail crosses directly over the Clingman’s Dome picnic and recreation are.

In order to be prepared you should be aware that the temperatures are usually 20-30 degrees cooler at the summit than at the foot of the mountain.

A sight to behold!  The towering, multi-layered waterfall is over 80 feet high.  It is reached by way of a 1.3 mile paved trail Laurel Falls is a definite must see. The trail, built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, ascends Cove Mountain and continues on unpaved to the 4077 ft summit.

Laurel Trail is home to several plants and trees. On the wooded hike to the falls you will see Pine, Maple, Dogwood, and the Laurel tree, for which the trail is named. There is also a gorgeous view of the Laurel Creek and Little River valleys from the trail.

The trail tends to be slightly crowed on weekends, especially in the summer and fall. Weekdays are less crowded. The paved trail is easy for strollers but may be challenging for wheelchairs.