Not only were their homes, churches, and mills left behind, but also their cemeteries. These mountains have been around for thousands of years from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the 18 th century European settlements and loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 20 th century. Get your free visitor guide to things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains and Bryson City North Carolina. Smoky Mountains Visitor Center at Maryville For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Smoky Mountains Visitor Center at Maryville directly. Haywood County is best known for its 46 miles of scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, and affordable vacation home rentals with spectacular views. One of the most popular areas in the park, the Cades Cove valley is known for its abundant . On clear days views expand over 100 miles. Throughout the Cove you will see historic buildings, including rustic log homes of . The hike to the peak is only a half-mile from the Clingmans Dome parking area and it's fully paved, but be warned — it's very steep. Visitors Centers Nearby Find 6 Visitors Centers within 17.7 miles of Smoky Mountains Visitors Center. View On Map. Every trip to the Smokies begins with a drive on the Newfound Gap Road, so pack a picnic and see highlights along the way, including the Sugarlands Visitor Center, Newfound Gap . Join us at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center to celebrate the cultural heritage of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains region. Cosby Creek Cabins provides visitors to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee with luxury vacation cabins located off the beaten path. These days, you're just as likely to see elk grazing in the fields next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or in the lowland fields about 1 mile up US 441 from the Visitor Center. The protection of history, wildlife, and nature are very important to . Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This means balloons are usually up from about 8 pm to 9:30 pm, conditional on weather. Our region of the Smokies has the highest-elevation mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We've been setting the bar high for whitewater rafting service, safety and fun since 1993. Special Programs Ranger-led programs are conducted seasonally. Visit Website. Cherokee . We have miles of hiking trails in the mountains and tons of dining, attractions, shopping, and arts and crafts in town. Gatlinburg is arguably the most popular tourist hub in the Smokies. If you love rafting, we are some of the closest cabins to the whitewater rafting area. From the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, drive 3.5 miles north along Newfound Gap Road to reach the turn-off for the Smokemont Campground. Cataract Falls. Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the way you'll learn about the structures that stood in the area more than a century ago. The history of the Appalachian Mountains is a precious thing and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves this story. To check availability or to reserve your cabin or private lodge now, call one of our friendly reservationists at 800-652-2611 from 8am-10pm EST. 2 Everett Street. The trailhead is 3.8 miles west from the Sugarlands Visitor Center on your way to Cades Cove. Our directory of Sevierville shopping malls, outlet malls and stores will help you find great places to shop in Sevierville, TN. The Blue Ridge Parkway ends nearby. Sugarlands Visitor Center, located 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on U.S. Route 441, is open daily (except Christmas Day). To reach the trailhead from Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn towards Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the parking area for the Laurel Falls Trail. Recent annual visitation is presented below. Posted on January 27, 2022. Great Easy Hikes Near Gatlinburg in the Smokies . While it was initially paved in 1963 and a bridge was constructed in 1995, the trail is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs because of wear from overuse. Discover their richness and beauty in the ancestral home of the Cherokee, or let Bryson City or Waynesville serve as home base as you explore trout streams and lush, protected forests. Plan Your Smoky Mountain Vacation to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Cades Cove isn't the only scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains near . Site map; With over 11 million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is, by far, the most visited national park in the United States. Relaxing and easy hiking trails for families witih kids, pets, wheelchairs, scooters, older folks & those who want a beginner hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains, not far from Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. at NOC (828) 785-4856. Townsend Visitor Center gsmballoonfest.com Great Smoky Mountain Marathon - September The course for the Great Smoky Mountains Half is a beautiful run through the woods just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year the nation's most popular park celebrates 75 years as the 'people's park'. 88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3261. This is a hike, not a walk but I do like a hike with a midpoint at a waterfall. It can also be pretty chilly at the top, often 20 degrees cooler . Country News. The Pavilion is located nearby the Oconaluftee River and the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, the gateway to the North Carolina section of the Smokies. 101 Reasons to Visit. Laurel Falls. In addition to those listed here, Great Smoky Mountains Association's staff team includes some 80 full- and part-time employees who work in our 13 visitor centers and other contact points in and around the national park. The Pigeon Forge Visitor Information Center is located at Traffic Light #5. Our knowledgeable staff will help you select the . Park — Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced that several roads will be closed due to winter conditions. This group campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country with over 12 million visitors in 2020. This popular waterfall is 2.6 miles round-trip. Cosby Creek Cabins provides visitors to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee with luxury vacation cabins located off the beaten path. Updated: 1:38 PM CST January 4, 2022. 4 reviews of Great Smoky Mountains Association "The Great Smoky Mountains Association is a wonderful organization! Address 201 S. Washington St. Maryville, TN 37804 Contact Questions? Come White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains. After you see Sugarlands Visitor Center, you can take a right on Little River Road. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg. is a proud partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Park Service. Come on down to the BUSH'S Visitor Center and General Store, where you can trace the values and events that made Bush's Best what it is today. 1. Here, you'll have access to the trail head for the Oconaluftee River Trail, a great wildflower hike in spring. Your purchase supports the Great Smoky Mountains efforts to study, educate, and preserve. 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734 | (866) 273-4615 | Directions. Hours vary by season Elk Viewing Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors centers will open back up Monday, the park announced Friday. The course begins near Heritage High School in the Hubbard Community outside Maryville and ends in Townsend, just under a mile . Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Simply drive to the Sugarlands Visitors Center, a short 2 miles from Gatlinburg, and outside the building you will see signs pointing you the way to Cataract Falls. Townsend, TN 37882 Contact Questions? February 12, 2022 Valentine's Day Dinner in the Smoky Mountains January 30, 2022 Peaceful Side of the 2022 Smoky Mountain Events October 21, 2021 Haunted Blount County Attractions Home of Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center, Bass Pro Shops and Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Sevierville, Tennessee has a store for everyone and everything! More Scenic Drives. Situated outside the historic Mountain Farm Museum, the visitor center serves as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all its natural beauty, outdoor attractions, and amenities. Officials said it is the entrance that most visitors enter through and said it is around an hour's drive southeast. From Gatlinburg, head towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the main Parkway. Discover where it all began. Hikers and cyclists can still access the Parkway at road closure points to enjoy mountain views without traffic. Campgrounds, Visitor Centers, and Picnic Areas are now closed for the winter. Most of the roads getting into this area of the park are just simple two lane divided roads. |. The main gateways to Great Smoky Mountains are the Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina. The Cades Cove Visitor Center is located about midway on the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. A half mile north of the visitor center inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll find Mingus Mill . On clear days views expand over 100 miles. Cherokee Welcome Center. SMOKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD. smoky mountains cemeteries All of the land within Great Smoky Mountains National Park was purchased from families who had been living in the area since the early 1800s. Tucked in North Carolina's westernmost corner, you'll find the storied Great Smoky Mountains. Highest Elevation Mountain Peak. Viewing the exhibit is free and it will be open until late spring of 2022. Cades Cove. The scenery is beautiful on your way to Cades Cove, where you will dead end. Learn how your purchase and membership helps save our public lands. Occasionally, when walking the 1.5 mile (each way) Oconaluftee River Trail, elk can be spotted in the . Near Cosby, Tennessee. You might spot some elk in the fields at the visitor center. Clingmans Dome (1 mile round-trip) is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at 6,643 feet, with truly unbeatable views. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park extends 70 miles along the North Carolina/Tennessee border and contains over 500,000 acres of protected forest. Smoky Mountain Getaway. Smoky Mountains & Cherokee. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience at Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) with one of our many white water rafting adventures in Tennessee. From Gatlinburg, just follow the main Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Lying just south of Gatlinburg, the Sugarlands is one of the park's most popular access points. 828 488-2376 (866) 319-8870 . Site map; It's convenient location makes it easy for visitors to drop in and inquire with the staff about Pigeon Forge events, businesses and other planning information. Consult these offices for the latest on lodging, events and festivals, meeting planning, or any questions you may have while you are in the neighborhood. This 11 mile loop is a peaceful driving tour and is used for bicycling. Zac Brown shared a musical treat with his fans on Valentine's Day. In Cherokee, NC. Please Email kmitchell@blountpartnership.com Contact Phone Number 865-448-6134 Toll-Free Phone Number 800-525-6834 Admission Rates None. Phone: (828) 497-1904. Our four legged friends are not discouraged from attending the GSM Hot Air Balloon Festival, but we understand that the Balloons can . Our cabins are also no further than 20-30 minutes from Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg . The park offers many different types of campsites, some of which require reservations. You can learn more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park camping here. Our cabins are also no further than 20-30 minutes from Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg . How We Help the Park. In fact, there are nearly 900 miles of trail in the Smokies. Make Gatlinburg your basecamp for adventure. PO Box 85. "The Old Slow & Easy" exhibit, located at the Sevierville Visitor Center, showcases the Smoky Mountain Railroad. The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is a museum whose mission is to preserve, interpret and share the history and culture of the diverse peoples and Native American who have inhabited the Southern Appalachians including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and offers exhibitions and programs for educational and cultural enrichment. Continue for about 25 miles, where a dead end meets the entrance to Cades Cove Loop Road! 1-800-251-9100. Most sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, including the southern section through the Smoky Mountains are closed for the winter. Highest Elevation Mountain Peak. Stop by the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for plenty of maps, guides, exhibits, helpful park rangers and programs. Some campgrounds and roads also will return to public use. You can stay in one of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals any time of the year! It is all housed in the original A.J. Our staff will happily provide all of the information you need for your stay, and will point you to all the cultural attractions, special events, and natural beauty that make Cherokee one of the top tourist destinations in the Southeast. 1. Of all the Smoky Mountain waterfalls with a trail, this one is the easiest, most kid-friendly hike. Smoky Mountain Knife Works is heralded as the "World's largest knife showplace." The showroom covers more than 100,000 square feet and has more than a million visitors annually. Swain County Visitor Center. If you love rafting, we are some of the closest cabins to the whitewater rafting area. Their facebook page is full of current information and pictures, and their news letter is also great. Great Smoky Mountains Association. Gatlinburg is the busiest, most touristy gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains is in the Appalachian Mountains and is America's most visited National Park. Haywood County is comprised of five mountain towns— Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde—each of which brings its own . I was glad that they don't charge admission fees to enter, but donations are readily accepted at any time of day. Also in the visitor center, you'll find maps, merchandise and helpful publications in the Great Smoky Mountains Association's bookstore and shop. Facilities have been shut down. Visitor Information Centers Local and regional travel offices are an excellent resource for travelers to find out more information about specific areas of travel within Utah. Farmers market, hayrides, food truck, pumpkin patch. There's over 800 square miles of land that is made up of hiking trails, driving tours and historic sites, so there's a way for everyone to see the Smokies! Pass the Sugarlands Visitor Center on your right, then turn right into Little River Road. Most of the trail is paved and well-maintained, and the . With over 11 million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is, by far, the most visited national park in the United States. Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. The Sugarlands is a valley in the north-central Great Smoky Mountains, located in the Southeastern United States.Formerly home to a string of small Appalachian communities, the valley is now the location of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park headquarters and the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Our directory of Sevierville shopping malls, outlet malls and stores will help you find great places to shop in Sevierville, TN. Bush & Company general store, founded in 1897. WILDWATER JEEP TOURS. Laurel Falls Trail. There are over 800 miles of trails, and a large section of the Appalachian Trail in the park as well as 80 historic structures. Little River Road is best known as the road to Cades Cove from Gatlinburg. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail. Our gallery exhibits, educational programs, demonstrations and festivals guide you on a historic journey through time as you visit the diverse cultures of Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove. Head through Gatlinburg towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Sugarlands Visitor Center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located at 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Road in Gatlinburg, TN. I have personally ordered many products from their catalog, including a book on wildlife in the smokies, hiking shirts, a fleece, and a thermal shirt. Cherokee, NC 28719. Grabbing his acoustic guitar, Zac performed a version . Open daily except Christmas. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In large part due to the highly varied elevations in the park, there is a wide range of plant and animal species. Whether you're planning a family vacation, couples getaway, reunion, honeymoon or retreat, a Smoky Mountain vacation has everything you need, including more than 7,000 cabins, chalets, condos, campgrounds and bed & breakfast inns to choose from in Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge TN. That's mountain life for you. Laurel Falls is located in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (stock photo/TheSmokies.com) 2. Filed Under: Community, Community Events, Events. Rising to an elevation of 6,643 ft., Clingmans Dome is also the the third highest mountain peak in the Appalachian Mountain Range. If you want to drive through high elevation areas of the national park, the Clingman's Dome Road is a must-visit destination. Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The parking area for this hike is located directly across the bridge as you turn into the campground. While some would love to complete every trail in the park (In fact, there is an elite club for hikers who do so), others who don't want to struggle with long or difficult hikes. When you see the Sugarlands Visitor Center on your right, turn right at the next road. Parking for the event is $20 online and $25 day of event. This is a significant uptick from the previous two. Bryson City, North Carolina 28713. Mid-late afternoons are the best times. is a proud partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Park Service. Our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals are just a short drive from Gatlinburg, TN and the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with hundreds of hiking trails and beautiful mountain scenery Located at Center Hill Lake in Tennessee, Hidden Harbor Marina offers cabin rentals, camping sites, and various boat rental options near Nashville . There's over 800 square miles of land that is made up of hiking trails, driving tours and historic sites, so there's a way for everyone to see the Smokies! Every cabin and lodge at Oak Haven Resort & Spa is a unique custom design. This popular drive begins at the Newfound Gap parking area and leads to Clingman's Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies at an elevation of 6,644 Ft.. As the highest road in the Smokies, Clingman's Dome Road is one of the most impressive drives in the Smoky Mountains. #7 of 90 things to do in Gatlinburg. Please Email kmitchell@blountpartnership.com Contact Phone Number (865) 983-2241 Toll-Free Phone Number 1-800-525-6834 The loop trail is only a half mile long and takes about 30-45 minutes. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at an elevation of 2,600 ft., Collins Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. For complete records of National Park Service visitation and other statistics, check out the Public Use Statistics Office . Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts - Franklin, NC. This 80-foot high waterfall is named after the mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub that blooms near the falls during the month of May. It's knows as the gateway to GSMNP and the main visitor's center, Sugarlands Visitor Center, is just minutes from downtown. Stay on this scenic road for about 25 miles of winding, beautiful roads until it dead-ends into Cades Cove. The store is . Sugarlands Visitor Center Gloria Wadzinski This entrance is an hour's drive southeast of Knoxville on US 441. First of all waterfalls are cool. Great Smoky Mountains Association. Meet Our Staff. For example, we stayed at Imagination Mountain to be near Gatlinburg, but it's still a 25 minute drive. 1.2 miles from Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park. The large grassy field near the visitor center is actually a top place for viewing the Park's famous elk and other wildlife. 2nd Annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival - May 7 Townsend Visitor Center. Zac Brown Shares a Special Song on Valentine's Day. This stroller friendly trail is actually the only hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to be designated as completely accessible. Address 3540 Line Drive, 2 Kodak , Tennessee , 37764 Phone 865-932-3696 Map of Smoky Mountains Visitors Center in Kodak, Tennessee View map of Smoky Mountains Visitors Center, and get driving directions from your location . For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Smoky Mountains Visitor Center at Townsend directly. Email : info@mypigeonforge.com. Address 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy. 828-488-7857. Between the two is the scenic Newfound Gap Road, which winds for 29 miles, neatly bisecting the park on the only pavement traversing the Smokies. Hours vary seasonally, but it generally welcomes travelers from 8 a.m. to as. Home of Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center, Bass Pro Shops and Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Sevierville, Tennessee has a store for everyone and everything! Just a short drive away, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde also offer beautiful campgrounds, RV parks, and camping resorts for your enjoyment. You stay on Little River Road which is a winding road, and often busy, for a little over 20 miles. Our region of the Smokies has the highest-elevation mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its hiking trails. 828.497.1904 History Learn More Mountain Farm Museum Step back into history inside the unique Mountain Farm Museum. The balloons begin to inflate at dusk and glow for around an hour. Your purchase supports the Great Smoky Mountains efforts to study, educate, and preserve. It was impacted by the 2016 fires, but the downtown was spared. 14,858 reviews. Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade beside Cosby Creek. Rising to an elevation of 6,643 ft., Clingmans Dome is also the the third highest mountain peak in the Appalachian Mountain Range. There are three entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, and every one takes you into a section of the 800 square miles of unspoiled Appalachia. Remembering "The Old Slow & Easy" in Sevierville, Tennessee. These are great for a vacation, a picnic, a date, and viewing wildflowers and Fall leaves. It starts at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just a very short drive south from Gatlinburg and meanders along the Little River, offering spectacular scenery, overlooks, waterfalls and other natural attractions. When you visit our beautiful mountain town, we ask that you visit responsibly, practice social distancing and enjoy the Smoky Mountains safely. Secondly, you know you've got a place to cool off but not swim. US 441. Please mail me the Visitors Guide to Bryson City, Swain County and the North Carolina Smokies . Instead, visitors can use the Sugarlands entrance by driving through Gatlinburg. Exhibits Indoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture. How We Help the Park. The Cherokee Welcome Center is the perfect place to start your journey around the Cherokee region. There is no fee to enter the park, but camping is . . Check at the visitor center for times. The Mountain Farm Museum and Oconaluftee Visitor Center are located at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. Highway 441 / Newfound Gap Road near Cherokee, North Carolina. Learn how your purchase and membership helps save our public lands.