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 © Ed Heaton
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| National Park Overview: |
 | Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary, the park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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great park
great park ,great views.we went thru july,27,2008 we will be back
Written by rmegan13@aol.com
2-Aug-2008
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| Trails: |
| More than 850 miles of hiking trails traverse the Great Smoky Mountains. They range from easy to difficult and provide half hour walks to week-long backpacking trips. The Appalachian Trail runs for 70 miles along the Park's top ridge. Pets are not allowed on any trails except for the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Backcountry camping requires a permit.
Safety is important to consider when exploring the backcountry. Here are a few basics to help you get started:
* Let someone know your route and return time. * Always hike with another person. * Carry a current park trail map. * Carry 2 small flashlights or headlamps. * Take adequate water - minimum 2 quarts per person per day. * All water taken from the backcountry should be treated. * Wear shoes or boots that provide good ankle support. * Carry a small first aid kit. * Check the current weather forecast and be prepared for quickly changing conditions.
With so many options, the Smokies offer a tremendous number of hiking opportunities. Mentioned below are a few of the most popular destinations:
Alum Cave Trail. This is a 4.4 mile roundtrip hike, rated moderate. It includes Arch Rock, a natural arch, Inspiration Point, and the Alum Cave Bluff. Inspiration Point offers a spectacular view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River's upper basin. The trail continues to Mt. Le Conte, and its beautiful viewpoints. Roundtrip distance from the parking to Le Conte is 10 miles. This trail can be icy in winter.
Andrews Bald. A 3.6 mile roundtrip hike, rated moderate. This hike heads downslope to a bald. Excellent views open to the south, toward Fontana Lake, and in early summer the azaleas explode with color. The trail head is located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed from December through March.
Charlies Bunion. This 8-mile roundtrip hike is rated strenuous. Following the Appalachian Trail, this hike goes out to rocky crags along the state-line ridge. It has excellent views. This trail can be icy in winter.
These are only a few suggestions. To order more information or buy a hiking map please visit the Great Smoky Mountains Association's Bookstore.
For those who are interested in completing all of the more than 150 hiking trails in the Smokies, you can now become a member of the 900 miler club. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks.
The picnic areas at Cades Cove, Chimney Tops, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms remain open year-round. The remaining picnic areas are closed during the winter.
All picnic areas have pavilions except Chimneys and Cades Cove. The picnic pavilions at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks can be reserved for groups up to five months in advance by calling 1-800-365-2267.
All pavilions except Twin Creeks cost $20 per use. Twin Creeks' fee ranges from $35-75 depending on the usage. Payment can be made by credit card or personal check at the time the reservation is made.
Please remember that feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal. The black bear symbolizes the invaluable wilderness qualities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But bears are dying unnecessarily due to improper disposal of garbage or illegal feeding by visitors. A bear?s remarkable sense of smell may lead it to human foods, such as a picnicker?s cooler, garbage left in the open, or food scraps thrown on the ground or left in the grill. A bear that has discovered human food or garbage will eventually become day-active and leave the safety of the backcountry. It may panhandle along roadsides and be killed by a car or it may injure a visitor and have to be euthanized. Please do your part to help protect black bears and other wildlife in the Great Smokies. Clean your picnic area, including the grill and the ground around the table, thoroughly after your meal. Thank you.
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| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year.
Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in most streams. Certain posted streams are closed to fishing, to protect threatened fishes. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is available at any visitor center or ranger station.
You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Tennessee License RequirementsResidents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid license. Residents age 65 and older may obtain a special license from the state.
North Carolina License RequirementsResidents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a license. Residents age 70 and older may obtain a special license from the state.
Persons under 16 in North Carolina and under 13 in Tennessee are entitled to the adult daily bag and possession limits and are subject to all other regulations. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Timberwolf Creek Bed and Breakfast - Sleep to the soothing sounds of the tumbling stream, and wake to a bountiful candlelit breakfast served fireside, or served on the deck overlooking the creek in fine weather. Escape? to the Smokies. | | Campgrounds | |  | Griffin Island Campground - Sevierville, TN
Looking for something different? Griffin Island is a family owned and family friendly 32 acre property that includes rental campers, full hook-up sites, and tent sites for rent on Douglas Lake. Griffin Island is your getaway from the mainstream but close enough to all the attraction of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Phone: 866-461-4561
Web Site: http://www.griffinisland.net |
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| | B&Bs / Inns | |  | Highland Lake Inn - Flat Rock, NC
Highland Lake Inn is a haven of hospitality, charm and natural beauty nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. A historic North Carolina resort, Highland Lake Inn rests in a country setting of 26 gently wooded acres on a serene lake.
Web Site: http://www.hlinn.com |
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| | Cottages and Cabins | | | Highland Lake Inn - Flat Rock, NC
Highland Lake Inn is a haven of hospitality, charm and natural beauty nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. A historic North Carolina resort, Highland Lake Inn rests in a country setting of 26 gently wooded acres on a serene lake.
Web Site: http://www.hlinn.com |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park Service) - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Located in Tennessee and North Carolina, TRAVEL BASICS - CAMPING - LODGING ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES - FEES/PERMITS The Range of Life (NPS Photo) IN BRIEF The ... | | Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Page ... Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Page This site is dedicated to providing information on Great Smoky Mountains National Park It is our intent ... | | Great Smoky Mountains National Park - GSMNP - Great Smokies Area Info - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers great opportunities for trout fishing, ... Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) Information The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) ... | | Area Campgrounds | | Tuckaleechee Camp Ground
7301 Punkin LN
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-9608
| Big Meadow Family Campground
8215 Cedar Creek Rd
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-0625
| Ye Olde Mill Campground
8277 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6681
| Lazy Daze Campground
8429 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6061
| Mountaineer Campground
8451 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6421
| Sundown Resort
8450 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-0106
| KOA Campgrounds
2849 Middle Creek Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-7903
| River Plantation RV Park
1004 Parkway
Sevierville, TN
(865) 429-5267
| Shady Oaks Campgrounds
210 Conner Heights Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-3276
| Riverside RV Park & Resort
4280 Boyds Creek Hwy
Sevierville, TN
(865) 453-7299
| King's Holly Haven RV Park
647 Wears Valley Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-5352
| Clabough's Campground
405 Wears Valley Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 428-1951
| Mill Creek Resort & Campground
449 W Mill Creek Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 428-3498
| Fox Den Campground
1327 Wears Valley Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 428-7940
| Riverbend Campground
2479 Riverbend Loop # 1
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-1224
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Wishin' I Was Fishin'
1405 Douglas Dam Rd
Sevierville, TN
(865) 774-7011
| J Floyd's Sports World
539 Winfield Dunn Pkwy
Sevierville, TN
(865) 453-5010
| Smoky Mountain Angler The
466 Brookside Village Way
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 436-8746
| Little River Outfitters
106 Town Square Dr
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-9459
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Timberwinds Log Cabin Resort
1358 Old Red LN
Sevierville, TN
(865) 453-8037
| Walden Lodge
3610 Waldens Creek Rd
Sevierville, TN
(865) 429-1212
| Oak Haven Resort
1947 Old Knoxville Hwy
Sevierville, TN
(865) 428-2009
| Bads River Resort
291 Rudd Rd
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-9448
| Maple Leaf Lodge
137 Apple Valley Way
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6000
| Wild Mountain Rose Log Cabin Rentals
929 Cavern Rd
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6895
| Mountaintop Resorts
2788 Windfall Estates Dr
Sevierville, TN
(865) 286-1150
| Deer Ridge Mountain Resort
3710 Weber Rd
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 436-2325
| Big Valley Resort
7056 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6191
| Sundown Safari Resort
8450 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
(865) 448-9344
| Smoky Mountain Lake Rentals
1804 Gator Point Rd
Sevierville, TN
(865) 428-0467
| Resort Quest Smokey Mountain
2645 Valley Heights Dr
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 429-5205
| Clarion Inn Willow River
1990 Winfield Dunn Pkwy
Sevierville, TN
(865) 429-7600
| Sleepy Bear Cabin Rentals
1000 Parkway
Sevierville, TN
(865) 774-8484
| Fairfield Resorts Inc
280 Collier Dr
Sevierville, TN
(865) 774-3960
| Starr Crest Resort
1431 Upper Middle Creek Rd
Sevierville, TN
(865) 429-0156
| Eagle's Ridge Resort
2740 Florence Dr
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-2220
| Heartlander Country Star Resort
2385 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 453-4106
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| Area Activities |
| Boat Rentals | | | Griffin Island Campground - Sevierville, TN
Looking for something different? Griffin Island is a family owned and family friendly 32 acre property that includes rental campers, full hook-up sites, and tent sites for rent on Douglas Lake. Griffin Island is your getaway from the mainstream but close enough to all the attraction of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Phone: 866-461-4561
Web Site: http://www.griffinisland.net |
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