Smoky Mountains

1597 Articles to Help You Plan & Better Experience the Smoky Mountains

6 Secret Spots in Cades Cove You Have to Explore

Posted on October 21, 2020

view from Rich Mountain Road in Cades Cove

21 Oct

Cades Cove is the most popular area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it’s not hard to see why! From gorgeous views, to an abundance of wildlife, to fascinating historic structures, Cades Cove has it all. We know you’ve heard about all the popular stops along the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, but we want to share some hidden gems you can find in the cove! Here are 6 secret spots in Cades Cove you have to explore.Continue Reading →

7 Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Elkmont Ghost Town

Posted on October 20, 2020

Elkmont Ghost Town in the Smoky Mountains

20 Oct

Most Smoky Mountain lovers have heard about this abandoned resort town in the Smoky Mountains, but how much do you know about the history of Elkmont? Elkmont went from a logging community, to a vacation destination, to a ghost town. Now, it’s a place where the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s many visitors love to explore. Elkmont used to be so much more than just an abandoned resort town! Here are 7 things you didn’t know about the history of Elkmont Ghost Town:Continue Reading →

Top 5 Cades Cove Hiking Trails You Should Go On

Posted on October 19, 2020

View of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains

19 Oct

Did you know there are several hiking trails in and around Cades Cove? You probably know this area is a beautiful place to drive through and get out and explore, but there are quite a bit of Cades Cove hiking trails you might want to check out too! You can see incredible views or just enjoy a nice hike through the woods. Here are the top 5 Cades Cove hiking trails you should go on:Continue Reading →

Top 6 Observation Towers and Lookouts for the Best Views in the Smoky Mountains

Posted on October 16, 2020

view from Morton Overlook in the Smoky Mountains

16 Oct

It’s no secret that the Smoky Mountains are home to breathtaking views. When you visit, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the gorgeous scenery. We want to help make sure you don’t miss out on some of the most incredible sights in the Smokies! Learn about the top 6 observation towers and lookouts to visit for the best views in the Smoky Mountains.Continue Reading →

5 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on October 13, 2020

13 Oct

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, and it’s not hard to understand why. Part of what comes along with being the most popular national park in the country is having big crowds. On any given day throughout the year, you’ll find full parking lots in the Smoky Mountains! However, if you’re trying to avoid big crowds of people on your visit, we can help. Here are 5 ways to avoid crowds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:Continue Reading →

Everything You Need to Know About Carver’s Apple Orchard

Posted on October 7, 2020

07 Oct

Tucked away in Cosby, Tennessee is a place you won’t regret visiting on your vacation: Carver’s Orchard & Applehouse Restaurant. The orchard sits on 75 acres and has over 40,000 trees and more than 120 varieties of apples. This hidden gem allows visitors to enjoy an apple orchard, a restaurant and a country store. We’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know about Carver’s Apple Orchard!Continue Reading →

Do You Honk Your Horn When You Drive Through a Tunnel in the Smoky Mountains?

Posted on October 6, 2020

06 Oct

What do you do when you drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains? If you’ve visited the Smoky Mountains before, then you’re sure to have heard cars blaring their horns as they drive through the tunnels in the area. Do you honk your horn, or do you drive through silently? We’ve asked this question many times to visitors, and the majority of people seem to honk their horns. We’ve dug into the reasoning behind why so many people honk their horns when they drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains:Continue Reading →

Mandatory Mask Order Issued in Sevier County TN

Posted on September 30, 2020

30 Sep

A mandatory mask order in Sevier County went into effect on Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m. The mask requirement came after the county saw a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The original order lasted through August 3 before being extended through Sept. 30. Executive Order 39 now extends the mask requirement through Oct. 30, 2020. If you have plans to visit the Smoky Mountain area before then, please be prepared to wear a mask in all public indoor areas and businesses. Here is more information on the mask requirement in Sevier County TN:Continue Reading →

6 Scenic Smoky Mountain Fall Drives Near Wears Valley

Posted on September 24, 2020

24 Sep

The fall is a pretty popular time in the Smoky Mountains. We’ve talked about fall Smoky Mountain hiking trails that have incredible views of the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. For people who want to experience the beauty of fall in the Smoky Mountains from the comfort of their car, check out these 6 Smoky Mountain fall drives near Wears Valley.Continue Reading →

Cades Cove History: Meet the Last Family Who Lived in Cades Cove

Posted on September 9, 2020

09 Sep

Before Cades Cove was a popular tourist destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it was a home to so many. For more than 100 years before the park was created, families worked and played in the valley. The first settlers came to Cades Cove in the early 1820s, but it wasn’t until the late 1900s when the last resident of Cades Cove, Kermit Caughron, passed away. Meet the Caughron family and learn more about Cades Cove history:Continue Reading →