Tucked away in the scenic mountainside region along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its distinct Appalachian charm and its abundance of beautiful wildlife, making it one of the most frequently visited parks in the entire United States. Here, you can see wild black bears, historic homes and churches in Cades Cove, wildflowers, waterfalls, elk, and more, all within minutes of Gatlinburg.
What to Know Before You Go
The park is open all day, every day, year-round, as long as the weather permits. However, popular areas like the Cades Cove Loop Road are only open to motor vehicles from sunrise until sunset each day, though bicyclists and pedestrians can traverse the road twenty-four hours per day. The park has a number of visitor’s centers, at which you’ll find park guides, public restrooms, and even exhibits on the natural history of the area.
Additionally, this park is free to the public; no entrance fees are charged here, making it a great local attraction that will keep you and your guests entertained for hours while being light on your wallet.
You won’t have cell phone service throughout much of the park, including Cataloochee and Cades Cove. The communities surrounding the park generally have cell phone service, but you’ll want to ensure that you are travelling safely and smartly by planning ahead and carrying survival essentials, including drinking water, a first aid kit, suitable clothing for the weather (be sure to check the forecast ahead of time), and prescription medications.
Being one of America’s most popular national parks, sometimes Great Smoky Mountains National Park can get a little crowded. If you want to avoid crowds, try checking out the park early on a weekday morning, or avoiding the peak seasons of mid-summer (from mid-June through mid-August) or the entire month of October, especially on the weekends. Most people visit the park between 10:00am and 6:00pm. You can also spend more time in the less popular areas of the park, from Abrams Creek to Fontana Lake.
The Cabin Rental Store – Your Go-To Guides on Gatlinburg Vacations
Contact our reservations team to learn more information on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg and other fantastic attractions that are waiting for you when you book your stay in one of the wonderful vacation rental properties that The Cabin Rental Store has to offer today!
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