Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Too often I feel that visitors to Pigeon Forge, TN do not realize how close they are to the nation's most visited national park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is also the only national park in the US that has no admission charges! This temperate rainforest can provide a day of cool refuge from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge. Go explore!
PigeonForge.com always provides information about the park at the bottom of the home page but right now we are also including a link to more information. My favorite place to stop before I decide what I am doing for the day is the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Located just about a mile inside the park at the Gatlinburg end, the visitor center is always full of helpful volunteers that can let you know exactly what is going on inside the park. Guided walks, a movie, a bookstore, and a museum are all available on site. The volunteers and rangers are very knowledgeable about the trails in the park along with other activities such as swimming, horseback riding, biking, and camping that might be of interest to you. Children can also buy booklets to complete a Junior Ranger program; upon completion a ranger will present them with a badge/patch and swear them in.
If you only have a little time, take a drive up to Newfound Gap and hike the half mile, paved trail to Clingman's Dome for a spectacular view of Tennessee and North Carolina. (Look for Fontana Lake on a clear day.) Grab some food in Gatlinburg and find a picnic table in the Chimney's picnic area to have a peaceful lunch along the river. And, of course, everywhere you turn in the park you will find beautiful scenes that can provide a great photo opportunity to remember your visit!
Don't miss out on a unique experience you'll never forget! Plan a day in the Smokies when you visit Pigeon Forge, TN.
Comments
Anyone out there want to suggest particularly scenic hikes for the fall season? I know that I like the Old Sugarlands Trail and Alum Cave but I would love to know some secret hikes that no one thinks to visit!
Posted by: Luke | September 25, 2005 03:31 AM
Head towards Cades Cove or Newfound Gap and look for signs on the side of the road that say Quiet Walkway. These trails are great! They're usually (haha) quiet and take you on a peaceful walk through the woods.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 5, 2005 06:59 PM