Category: | National Park |
Phone: | +1 865-436-1200 |
Site: | nps.gov |
Rating: | 4.8 |
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J Ratliff
After traveling on the strip in Gatlinburg head into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Climb the seemingly ever growing mountains with plenty of places for beath taking photos. Look for wild life and you might be lucky enough to see a black bear, just a beautiful sight to see; I was privileged to see a momma bear with her cub walking just beneath the treeline and every car stopped to see these awesome wild animals walk out in eyeshot distance for a brief moment. Be sure to go to Clingmans dome to the top the mountains 6,643 feet and then you will know why its called the Smoky mountains. I love the temperature drop even on a hot and sunny day there is still a very crisp chill ontop of the mountain. If you dont time it right they will close this part of the park off due to the snow. There is a reason people come every year to the Smokies and keep coming back and thats because it is refreshing, visually stunning, and has a very unique unspeakable quality that leaves you at peace.
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Dedra Fondren
We have been to the Smoky Mountains many times. It is a very beautiful place. We went to spent the weekend ,last weekend on Memorial day weekend, and had the worst trip ever. Our car broke down on the road going into Cades Cove and we were on the side of the road for over 5 hours before we got any help. There is not any cell phone service there, so I kept asking people who stopped to call a tow truck for us, when they got to cell service. After we were there about 2 1/2 hours a park ranger came by and said he would send another ranger and they would get us a tow truck but he never came. After 10:00 p.m., a man came by and went and found a tow truck and brought him back to us. I think the park rangers or someone should have been able to get us help faster than 5 hours.
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Doug Hall
One of the most beautiful places in the United States and worth spending time here to explore and to relax. The hiking trails through Blue Ridge are wonderful and extremely popular, but my favorite activity is hanging out at the camp site and cooking (be bear aware). The west coast has the old growth forests, but we have the old rolling mountains. I recommend this park if you want to relax and enjoy the hiking trails. Those of you out West should come here to experience why Lewis and Clark wanted to explore the rest of the country. Also, the hikes happen below 10,000 feet, so they are much easier than anything in the Rockies.
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Update
Originally Cherokee homeland, America’s most-visited national park first opened in 1940 and covers some 520,000 acres of protected Tennessee and North Carolina forestland that’s bisected by the Appalachian Trail. Whether hiking Chimney Tops (or any of the 800 miles of trails) or driving the super-scenic U.S. Highway 441, visitors are sure to get an eyeful of the mystical haze that inspired the park’s name. To escape the crowds, park ranger Caitlin Worth recommends heading to Balsam Mountain Road, a high-elevation gravel road accessible from the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Jeff Aguero
As the most visited National Park in the US, it’s clearly got a lot to offer, though it seems many visitors (myself included) make there way here in transit between the east coast and the south. I visited in March 2016 and given it was the end of off-season, many facilities were closed. The most spectacular scenery was seen while driving, and while our hike along a river in the middle of the park was pleasant (as recommended by the ranger), it wasn’t particularly memorable. I know the park has more to offer, so I’m hoping to return for a longer visit sometime soon.
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Aras Zygas
Truly the gem of the Appalachians! We spent four soggy-yet-stupendous nights in the backcountry. The well maintained trails led us off the beaten path through various mystical forest habitats and the backcountry campsites nestled among mountain streams truly elevated our experience. We also spent a couple nights at Deep Creek Campground where tubing down the river provides a thrill for all ages. Driving through the park proves a marvelous romp for the less adventurous, but I encourage you to stretch your legs and hit the trails!
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beth smith
My husband and I and our son spent many years there. My husband was a ut graduate.We always planned to retire there.I lost him to cancer last Nov. I will be bringing his ashes "home" to where his wishes were. t The park service have told me where I can go and it will be all our favorite places. Cades Cove was one of our most loved. It will be a very hard time for me. I will come in early fall before it gets real busy again. I know God will help me. Everyone enjoy the Smokies. One of Gods true places.
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Jill Teige
This park is breathtaking, and full of park service to help you figure out the activities best for you. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center has lots of information, several staff, clean bathrooms, a gift shop, and a 1900th-century working farm to visit right outside! The Oconaluftee River flows right behind the main buildings and is a great depth for wading, and there are several nearby trailheads (including one with a working water-powered stone mill) if you need more things to do.
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Jason Grubbs
This part of the country is absolutely beautiful. No matter what time of the year it is, this park always offers stunning views. My personal favorite times are in the fall when the leaves are changing and in the winter (if you can time it to see snow and ice). The trails, rest areas, and visitors centers are always clean and well maintained. Be on the lookout for wildlife as it is common to see black bears and elk have also be reintroduced back into the area.
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Matt Carlin
The National Parks are a treasure and the Smokies are no exception. Although it poured most of the time I visited, there were still ways to enjoy the park. The scenic drive through Cades Cove was nice with plenty of great views. There are also numerous scenic lookouts throughout the rest of the park that show the true beauty of the mountains. Cades Cove campground has decent amenities and the camp store had practically anything you would need while away.
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Zachary Chapman
Closed park without notification, was out a place to camp. Rangers over react to abit of rain and little wind. Even close down visitors center very early. Reservation service did not email or call to cancel the day they closed. But they love to charge cancellation fees. They also need to stop reservation service so people traveling can get a site and stay in it a few days. Need walk up RV sites, give people a choice.
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Nibraz Ahammad
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The sprawling landscape encompasses lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. An observation tower tops Clingmans Dome, the highest peak, offering scenic views of the mist-covered mountains.
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Cas Scarfo
Fell in love with the Great Smoky Mountains. Only the second National Park me and my girlfriend have visited, and it was amazing! From hiking, to motor nature tours, to swimming in the beautiful clear water, it was one of the best vacations we have taken yet! Park is very well maintained and staff are helpful and friendly. Any visitor center will be extremely helpful and will point you in the right direction.
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Brandon Relaz
One of the best national parks I’ve been to. Great drive-through experience with plenty of pull offs to take pictures and experience the views. We took the scenic loops that take you on a trail through the a large portion of the park while driving - no trail hiking required to see this amazing treasure (but you can hike through if you like). Keep in mind it takes at least a couple hours to drive through.
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Steven Phillippy
The GSMNP is too large to be described by just one person or one review. It is a natural beauty that is different in every season. You can get lost in the forest, a very good thing. Wild flowers, birds, bears, coyotes, deer, and many other critters can be seen by most visitors in their natural habitats. The rangers work hard to balance visitor enjoyment and education with natural preservation.
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Eugene Bobrowski
The Great Smokies National Park is awesome. Plenty to do and see. You can Hike. Picnic, Take a Driving Tour, Kayak, Fish, or just stop at one of the many roadside pulloffs and explore at your own pace. This park is very busy so be prepared to be patient to get access to the popular spots! Bear activity is high this summer ( 2017 ) so your chances of seeing a resident Black Bear are good. Enjoy!!!
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Forrest Davis
(Headsup: some trails are closed due to the tragic fire that occurred recently.) The variety of hikes are amazing and so are all of the spectacular sites you can see on them. Trails for all experience levels from beginner to expert and great for the whole family. Also camping locations are available for short jaunts or extended trips to full experience what this amazing park has to offer.
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Dustin Murdock
Fantastic National Park to visit! I have visited it countless times in the East Tennessee area over many years and always enjoyed the parts I visited. Great hiking to be found there, Chimney Tops is a favorite of mine, as well as about any other outdoor activity. Cades Cove is a great place for a family picnic but be prepared for a bit of a wait as traffic can back up on the loop there.
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Jamie Newman
Motor trail is a great way to spend a couple hours. Can pull off lots of places to explore old cabins, a mill, and fantastic views, also hiking trails. Make sure you have gas, most of the route is a narrow one way, obviously no gas stations, no idea what you would do if you broke down or ran out of gas. This was the second trip I visited the motor trail. Really enjoyed it both times
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Mike Peterson
I wish I could review specific hikes such as Laurel Falls and Abrams Falls. The best advise for any day hike is to start EARLY to avoid the crowds. Visit the popular hikes first, then less known ones later in the day. If you are looking for solitude and quiet reflection, you will probably not like this national park. There are lines of cars, large groups, and parking is TIGHT.
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Stephanie Hudson
A great place to get away from it all! The Smokies are practically my home away from home. The views and trails are spectacular and no matter what your age or fitness level you can experience breathtaking scenery. Finding some of the more secluded spots is great because you can see an abundance of wildlife, but my personal favorite thing about the Smokies is all the waterfalls!
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Amit Chatterjee
A beautiful place with tremendous diversity - from low valleys to dizzying heights, from beautiful streams and waterfalls to quiet trails, from farm animals to black bears. This place caters to all who love nature. The park can be crowded at places. Gatlinburg on the Tennessee side is very touristy and is not recommended. Cherokee, on the North Carolina side is much better.
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Lane Waddell
Beautiful part of our country! Well maintained park. However, be advised that contrary to what you would expect dogs are not welcome in most areas! This is not a good vacation spot if you are planning on traveling with your full family (i.e. with dogs). Im not sure what the rationale is but the Park Service may want to rethink that policy. Still an enjoyable experience!
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David Bryant
Absolutely beautiful. Lavishly green woods and moss covered creeks with near rain forest growth. Deep valleys and crystal clear rivers. Plenty to do including extensive hiking trails, streams to float and fish, picnic spots, exhibits. Stunning in the autumn. Its size provides plenty of space for those who seek solitude but roads get crowded during peak visitation.
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Guilliam Lille
Absolutely beautiful area. Everyone should visit this park at least once. Vibrant greenery, imposing rock walls, twisting roads, magnificent views and hiking trails of all difficulties. This park has it all. Expect traffic though, especially on holidays and weekends. Lots of drivers that ride their brakes due to the slopes and turns. Things get backed up easily
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Kerry Wano
This place is amazing. The mountain views and foliage are simply breathtaking. If you can swing it, get a cabin in the mountains. You will not regret it. The quiet, the nature, the seclusion. The park is so massive, you will not be able to explore it all in one trip. There are so many activities to experience and so much to see, it can be overwhelming.
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Alexander Burchnell
This is an amazing experience. You get to witness history with buildings that you can walk through that have been there for 200 years! This is a great place to bring your family to experience nature at its finest. Admission if free but the memories are priceless. Cades Cove is my favorite part to visit. I hope you start your journey there soon!
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Chastity Coker
We decided last year that this would be our destination for all future camping trips. The trails are wonderful and there are plenty for families with younger kids. The drive up is literally breathtaking. So far we have been at the Elkmont and Cosby campgrounds and both were great. Definitely busy during holiday weekends. We love the Smokies!!