Things to do nearGreat Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, and that age shows in the rounded, forested summits and the extraordinary biodiversity found here. The park shelters more tree species than all of northern Europe combined, and its old-growth forest stands feel genuinely primeval.

Visitors can hike more than 800 miles of trails, from gentle riverside walks along Porters Creek to the demanding climb up Mount LeConte. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offers a scenic drive past cascading streams and historic homesteads left by the Scots-Irish settlers who farmed these coves for generations.

Wildlife watching is a defining experience. White-tailed deer graze the open meadows of Cades Cove at dusk, and the park supports one of the largest wild black bear populations in the eastern United States. Each June, synchronous fireflies put on a natural light display in the Elkmont area that draws visitors from across the country.

The surrounding gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Cherokee offer regional Appalachian cuisine, craft traditions, and Cherokee cultural heritage. Great Smoky Mountains rewards every season and pace of travel.