Although dogs are not allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are a few designated areas where your furry friends are welcome. Dogs are allowed to be in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but they must be on a leash. The Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail are two walking trails [...]
Archive for the ‘Hiking’ Category
Trails Allowing Dogs
Posted in Gatlinburg, Hiking, Outdoor, Pet Friendly on November 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Tennessee Heritage Trail
Posted in Environment, Family Fun, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on November 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Because Tennessee has such rich culture and heritage, several places in the mountains have been designated as part of the Tennessee Heritage Trail. The trail was created to both preserve and share Tennessee’s culture and is divided into 3 parts. The Arts & Crafts Trail will show visitors the various creations of Tennessee’s past, including [...]
Smoky Mountain Field School
Posted in Environment, Family Fun, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor, Wildlife on October 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Smoky Mountain Field School was started by The University of Tennessee to help people utilize the Great Smoky Mountains. They conduct workshops, hikes and other activities to help people learn more about the mountains. Their mission is to enhance public appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the Smoky Mountains. Some of their course offerings are [...]
Albright Grove Trail
Posted in Environment, Family Fun, Hiking on October 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
If you are looking for a longer, but still easy trail, check out Albright Grove Trail. It is about 7 miles in length and takes you through a forest of tulip poplar, maples, and beech trees. The trail is named after Horace Albright, an advisor to John D. Rockefeller and conservationist. For more information check [...]
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Posted in Environment, Hiking, Outdoor on October 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
If you want to hike, but are inexperienced or have small children, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest may be the place for you. The trail through the forest is only 2 miles long and has steps built into the trail. The hike should only take 1-2 hours. The forest is named after Joyce Kilmer, poet [...]
Historic Wonderland Hotel
Posted in Attractions, Hiking on October 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Smoky Mountains are filled with interesting history and one of the most historic places is the Wonderland Hotel. The hotel was located in the Elkmont community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Wonderland Hotel was built on land formerly owned by the Little River Railroad Company in 1912. It stayed open to the [...]
The Little River
Posted in Environment, Free Things To Do, Hiking, Photo Opportunity on September 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Little River provides around 51 miles of incredible scenery in the Southeast. It begins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and joins the Tennessee River and Fort Loudon Lake in Knox County. Portions of the river are used for whitewater rafting and tubing while other portions are much calmer for fly fishing and [...]
The Appalachian Trail Overview
Posted in Hiking, Outdoor on September 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The east coast takes great pride in being home to one of the world’s most famous trails, The Appalachian Trail. This extensive route, constructed in 1968. stretches from northern Georgia all the way to Maine. Being the longest man-made trail in America, the Appalachian trial is 2,178 miles long, crossing through 14 states, 6 national [...]
Best Hiking Trails
Posted in Fall, Hiking, Outdoor, Wildlife on September 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Smokies in all its glory. There are a variety of trails throughout the park, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a backpacking trip over several days. Alum Cave Bluff, Chimney Tops, Ramsay Cascades and Mount LeConte are all difficult trails. Rainbow Falls, [...]
Wesley Woods
Posted in Attractions, Environment, Hiking, Outdoor on August 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Spending a week at camp is one adventure most children remember well into their adult years. Camp Wesley Woods, located in Townsend, is a Christian camp that provides children with programs such as Environmental Education, Adventure Education and Summer Camping. Tourists can canoe, fish, and tour the camp all in one afternoon if he or [...]
Nature Pods Guide Application
Posted in Environment, Family Fun, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on August 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re a nature lover who feels the urge to identify animals and insects that cross your path, this little iPod application is made for you. Instead of lugging around heavy-duty nature books weighed down by colorful illustrations and information, Apple has created a downloadable application that offers the same features but with more [...]
Wildflowers Bloom Calendar
Posted in Environment, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on August 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Wildflowers fill the Smoky Mountains with color and life for everyone on the trails to enjoy. However, certain wildflowers are more prevalent at certain times of the year. For a complete schedule of when specific flowers bloom in the smokies, visitthis website.
Backpacker Magazine’s Trails of the Smokies
Posted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on July 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Backpacker Magazine has added a section to their website that gives you an in-depth synopsis of the trails [...]
Mills Park in Gatlinburg
Posted in Environment, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Hiking, Outdoor, Sports, Uncategorized on June 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Want to make your family vacation as memorable and fun as possible? Mills Park, off of Mills Road, has a variety of amenities to help make your vacation one to remember. They have a playground area for the kids, football and softball fields, horseshoe pit, jogging trails, basketball court, a track, 9-hole disc golf course, [...]
Townsend, TN
Posted in Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Hiking, Outdoor, Townsend, Wildlife on May 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
For a quiet mountain getaway from the congestion of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg visit Townsend, Tennessee. With its location 20 minutes southwest of these towns, Townsend offers a well-rounded view of the Great Smoky Mountains. This area is home to the Tremont area of the National Park, including two hiking trails and direct access to [...]
Hiking Tips for The Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Posted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor, Safety on April 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As the weather gets warmer, there will be an increasing amount of hikers in the National Park. Here are a few tips to keep you safe during your hike.
- Consider the weather: if you get caught in a thunderstorm, stay off the balds and away from open areas (meadows) in order to avoid getting hit [...]
Hiking Safety, The Great Smoky Mountains
Posted in Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor, Safety on April 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
While you are hiking the mountains this spring and summer remember these tips to get the most out of your hiking experience. Remember to travel responsibly and not to wonder off the designated trails and permitted areas. It is best to hike with two or three other people to increase safety. Please respect the rights [...]
The Institute at Tremont, for the nature lover in all of us
Posted in Culture, Environment, Family Fun, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor on January 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
For a fun and educational experience within the Great Smoky Mountains, check out the Institute at Tremont. The Institute has been connecting people to nature for over 39 years. Teachers, students, parents, vacationers and photographers can learn about the cultural and natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through in-depth educational programs, weekend [...]
A Winter Wonderland at Abrams Falls
Posted in Attractions, Cades Cove, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Hiking, Outdoor on January 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Abrams Falls is a sight to behold in the wintertime. While the trek is fairly easy (5-miles round-trip), plan on roughly three hours, depending on your pace. With the departure point for this hike lying within Cades Cove, it is a popular trek among hikers. For a less busy hike, try making the trek very [...]
Cades Cove – A heartbeat away from Gatlinburg
Posted in Cades Cove, Environment, Hiking, Outdoor, Photo Opportunity, Winter on January 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by mountains and one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. Cades Cove has lots to offer including a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails. Deer are almost always sighted in the fields, and observations of other wildlife, including bear, Wild Turkey, and fox are possible. [...]
Winter Day Hiking in the Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Family Fun, Hiking, Outdoor, Winter on December 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Some people may not see hiking in the winter as a fun activity because of the cold weather, but every season has something new to offer and something new to reveal. During the winter, you will see stone walls, chimneys, foundations, and other bits and pieces of the early settlers that are normally covered during [...]
Suggested Fall Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Environment, Fall, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Hiking, Outdoor on October 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Here is a list of suggested hikes through the Smoky Mountain National Park that are great for seeing all the fall colors and for some great photographs!
1. Appalachian Trail: Park in the large parking area at Newfound Gap, and look for the trail signs. Follow the Appalachian Trail to Indian Gap (around Clingmans Dome Road). [...]
Scavenger Hike Adventures and Mountain Journal, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Environment, Fall, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on October 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re planning on spending an exciting day in the Smoky Mountains, you need the Scavenger Hike Adventures and Mountain Journal. The Journal gives your clues on 14 easy, moderate, and extreme hikes to find over 200 hidden treasures within the park. There are hikes for the entire family, even some stroller accessible trails. For [...]
Walker Sister Home in Cades Cove, Townsend, Tennessee
Posted in Culture, Environment, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on October 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you hike through the first section of the Metcalf Bottoms Trail, you will come to the Walker Sisters Home. Along the hike, you will also come across the Little Brier Branch and the old Little Greenbrier School and church building. While it is still not too chilly during the day, and the leaves are [...]
Hiking Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains: Easy-Moderate-Difficult
Posted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor on September 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Easy Trails
Abrams Falls
5 miles – Starts from the Cades Cove Loop Road
12 miles – From Abrams Creek Ranger station via Cooper Road – Little Bottoms Trail
Cucumber Gap 2.5 miles – Elkmont Gravel Road
2.5 miles to Cucumber Gap Trail on the right
Laurel Falls
2.5 miles
Laurel Falls starts at Fighting Creek Gap on Little River Road above Elkmont
Schoolhouse Gap [...]
Chimney Tops Trail, Newfound Gap Road, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Gatlinburg, TN
Posted in Free Things To Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor on August 28, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Whether you are looking for a warm summer afternoon hike, or a cooler fall hike to look at the fall colored leaves, the Chimney Tops Trail is beautiful. As you wind along Newfound Gap Road in Gatlinburg, you can see twin peaks; however, you cannot fully appreciate them until you reach the top. The hike [...]
A Walk in the Woods: Guided Tours through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking on August 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
A Walk in the Woods is a guided tour of parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a very knowledgeable guide. Erik and Vesna Plakanis own the outfitter, and place emphasis on teaching the natural history of the park. The purpose of the guided tour is to help make your trip to the Smokies as [...]
Little Greenbrier School & Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Attractions, Culture, Free Things To Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor on August 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Little Greenbrier School is located in the Greenbrier area between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The schoolhouse was built in 1882, and is located in a beautiful setting. The building served as both a school and the Primitive Baptist Church until 1935. Inside you will see the types [...]
Mt. LeConte Overnight Adventures at the Institution of Tremont
Posted in Environment, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Summer, Tremont on August 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
You have 5 more days to register for the Overnight Adventure (Aug. 15-17) on Mt. LeConte with the Institute of Tremont. You will stay in the LeConte lodge, which is the highest elevation lodge in the eastern U.S. Saturday night will be spent at Tremont, and then Sunday morning the climb up Mt. LeConte will [...]
Back Country Trails and Balds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, Environment, Free Things To Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking, Outdoor on July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is beautiful and a great way to see the wonders of the Park. If you are a more experienced, adventurous hiker, the back country trails offer an in-depth backwoods experience. Here is a list of some of the trails throughout the park.
Trail – Mileage – Difficulty Rating [...]
