The Great Smoky Mountains sit astride the Tennessee
and North
Carolina border surrounded by the southern pinnacle
of the Appalachian Highlands. An astounding 9 million
adventure-seekers and sight-seers visit the Great Smoky
Mountains each year making it the most visited national
park in America. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
is within a day’s drive of a third of the population
of the U.S. making them very accessible for weekend trips
and full-length holidays.
The biggest appeal of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a combination of two things which are; the amazing abundance of things to do in the park and the natural, beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Many visitors enjoy an auto tour if physical exertion isn’t a possibility. Auto-touring is actually a great way to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering hurried mountain streams, long-time historic buildings, panoramic outlooks and kingly forests stretching as far as the eye can see.
Hiking and camping
are some of the more popular activities as the park affords
over 800 miles of trails ranging from multi-day backpacking
treks through backcountry or peaceful quiet walkways for
shorter day trips. Other possible activities in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park are cycling, fishing 700
miles of streams, horseback rising, picnicking, wildlife
viewing and exploring waterfalls and wildflowers. The
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a photographers
dream and provides limitless possibilities for fantastic
shots.
The climate in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
varies. March through May can be unpredictable and still
see snow flurries. Temperatures can still reach freezing
in the lower elevations until April. May sees highs of
70' and 80's and lows in the 40's and 50's. The summer
from June through August is hot, humid and hazy. Days
see temperatures into the 90's while evenings cool off
to 60's and 70's.
September through to the middle of November see warm days and cool nights. Late September sees the first frosts yet fall foliage creates astounding scenery amongst the mountain backdrop. Winter occurs from mid-November through February and is fairly moderate yet extreme temperatures do occur. Day’s can reach highs in the 50's but can also get really cold pretty fast so its best to go prepared. Fall and spring seem to be the best time to visit unless you like the extreme heat of the summer months.
Smoky Mountain cabins are the ultimate way to truly
experience the surroundings and can be enjoyed all through
the year. There is no truer way to explore the mountains
besides camping, which is the ultimate outdoor experience.
Some people prefer slightly less rough conditions and
Smoky Mountain cabins
are the perfect compromise. There is only one option for
accommodation right inside the park and that is Le Conte
Lodge which is found atop 6,593 feet atop Le Conte Mountain
in the park and is only accessible by a 5 to 8 mile hike.
People have been enjoying the rustic La Conte Lodge since 1926 and to date there is no electricity in the cozy cabins furnished with warm bunks, propane heaters, flush toilets and including dinner and breakfast. There are no showers rather, guests use a basin with warm water to wash. Cabins are available from mid-March to mid-November.
A wide variety of Smoky Mountain cabins are available in the communities that surround the national park as well as hotels, bed and breakfasts and many campgrounds. The Department of Tourism offers guests a vast range of information about accommodation surrounding the national park to help with planning a trip.
Opting for Smoky Mountain cabins in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg drastically widens options for dining, shopping, visiting nearby attractions and enjoying community festivals and events. Both convenient and modern Smoky Mountain cabins and rustic, isolated Smoky cabins are available accommodating a wide variety of holidays while still surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains and everything they have to offer.
