A Part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, Smoky Mountains National Park is nestled between Tennessee and North Carolina, offering scenic and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, captivating visitors with their beauty.
Visiting the Smoky Mountains has become a part of our yearly routine. Sometimes we visit once each year and sometimes twice. It is always beautiful and captivating in its own way and leaves us feeling in awe of its beauty.
I would like to share a couple of fun facts and a few of our favorite things to do when we are in the Smokies.
Why Are They Called the Smoky Mountains?
The Great Smokies have a beautiful and mysterious bluish fog that hangs over them, beckoning you to just be still and enjoy their beauty; sometimes this blue fog hangs over a peak, dipping into the valley below.
We understand from talking with locals that the blueish smoke comes from the conifer trees, and other organic compounds; it appears that when it rains, this combination creates a beautiful bluish hue. It is part of the ecosystem of the Smoky Mountain area.
Rich and I just sit and watch this bluish smoke travel through the trees, or peaks and valleys, depending on where we are in the park. It is a beautiful site to see.
How Did the Smoky Mountains Get Their Name?
The name Smoky Mountains came from the Cherokee; Shaconage, which I understand translates to “place of the blue smoke.” It appears that early settlers took that term and called this mountainous area the “Smoky Mountains”.
Why Visit Smoky Mountains National Park
No matter what time of year you go, the Smoky Mountains have their own scenic beauty and offer breathtaking views. There is something about breathing in mountain air, the smell of pine trees, and the smell of leaves after a rain, that will lift your spirits and leave you with a feeling of calm and peacefulness.
A Few of Our Favorite Things to Do in the Smokies
While we enjoy driving Highway 441, we do sometimes do something a little different, such as visit Cades Cove or Clingmans Dome, although we may not do them every time we are there. And sometimes we take the Blue Ridge Parkway, also a beautiful area, the entrance of which is located close to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
Enjoying the Serenity that Comes from Being in Nature
Rich and I are nature lovers and enjoy just driving through the park on Highway 441, entering from the Gatlinburg entrance; there are many places to pull over and just enjoy the natural beauty of the Smokies and take in the scenic and panoramic views. That is what makes the Smokies so much fun; being able to enjoy nature and take in the scenery, wherever we are within the park.
Walking One of the Paths to the River
As you drive through the park, you will notice walkways, waterfalls, and trails and paths that go to the river; you might also notice someone fishing, or just sitting by the water, enjoying the ebb and flow of the waters as it flows over the rocks and boulders.
Hiking One of the Trails
There are many trails throughout the park; a couple of the more popular ones are Alum Cave Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail. You will notice visitors parked along side the road so they can hike these trails. While there are other trails throughout the park, these seem to be the most popular.
Hiking these trails is not something we have done yet as they always seem so busy. I believe those parked in these areas now pay a fee to do so. You might check at one of the Visitor Centers if you are interested in hiking on either of these trails.
Take the Cades Cove Loop
Cades Cove is a beautiful area, a loop in a valley surrounded by mountains and is a popular area for visitors. Cades Cove offers scenic views, and it is not unusual to see wildlife in this area. Cades Cove is also the host of 12 historic buildings, so if you enjoy seeing historic and old buildings, Cades Cove is for you.
While we take the Cades Cove Loop occasionally, it is not something we do every time we are in the Smokies. It does take quite a while, so it could be an all-day event, depending on what time you get started. There is a Visitors Center at Cades Cove.
Stop at Newfound Gap
The Newfound Gap is a mountain pass about halfway through the park and designates where the Tennessee and North Carolina line are in the Smokies. Newfound Gap offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is access to the Appalachian Trail in this area. There is ample parking and restrooms at this stop (this may be a fee area unless you are only there a few minutes).
Enjoy Views from the Tower at Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is a short way from Newfound Gap and is the highest elevation point in the Smokies, offering 360 degrees views from the observation tower (it is interesting to note that the builder of this tower also built the one in the Everglades).
There are hiking trails and access to the Appalachian Trail in this area. The path to the Dome is about half of a mile, although it is uphill and of high altitude. There is a Visitors Center at Clingmans Dome. We enjoy the Dome and do it occasionally when we are in the Smokies.
Visit the Mountain Farm Museum
The Mountain Farm Museum is located to the side and behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, The Mountain Farm Museum includes farm type buildings, many dating to around 1900, that were originally at locations within the park and is an open-air museum.
Watching the Elk at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
While all the Visitor Centers are nice, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee is special as this is where you will often find Elk meandering around on the side of the Visitor Center. Later in the day, usually around 5 pm or so, the Elk surface and visitors line up to watch them as they roam. It is not unusual to hear a male bugle. The road is generally blocked off when the Elk are out (you can still go around the blocked area) if you are passing through.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway entrance is close to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and is a beautiful drive also, and a favorite thing to do. Please note this is an all-day event if you drive through to Asheville. We usually visit Smoky Mountains National Park one day and visit the Blue Ridge Parkway another day as it is spectacular too.
Good to Know
Rich and I love the Smokies and usually visit it at least once a year and sometimes more often. While we have been there on weekends (it is unusually busy on weekends), we make an effort to visit during the week, as it is a little less busy during weekdays.
There are four Visitor Centers within the park. I mentioned three Visitor Centers earlier in my post. All the Visitor Centers are a little different and generally have a Gift Shop, offering souvenirs and have restrooms.
The fourth is the Sugarlands Visitors Center, which is near the Gatlinburg entrance when you enter the park; this is a good place to stop if you are looking for maps and information about the park, although it seems to be extremely busy.
While the park is free; there are now parking fees for longer periods of parking at certain areas (the Gap, Alum and Chimney Top); permits can be purchased at the Visitor Centers.
I do not seem to have cell coverage within the park, and notice things come through when I am at a high elevation point.
While we enjoy the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas and love the shops, Rich and I tend to stay farther out, in the Sevierville or Kodak area, which is less crowded, but still within easy access of the park. Kodak and Sevierville are located off Highway 40 at Highway 66. You can also enter from the south, at the Cherokee end of the park.
We usually visit the Smoky Mountains area between April 15th and October 15th as the weather can change in the Smokies and can be inclement during the winter months. It is not unusual for there to be a little rain (usually a light mist or light rain) as that seems to be a part of the ecosystem.
We do check the weather if going in April or October and generally like to visit in the Spring or Fall. Please note if you visit during winter months, the park and the roads could be closed, so if you decide to go then, please check their website for more information.
The Smoky Mountains National Park is an absolutely beautiful park, offering scenic and panoramic views, and a diverse ecosystem for plants and animals. The Smokies are a must stop for those of us who love nature and the peacefulness that being in nature provides.
