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Home » Blog » Smoky Mountain Guides » Relax & Recharge: Your Guide to a Low-Key Smoky Mountain Vacation
smoky mountains at sunset

Relax & Recharge: Your Guide to a Low-Key Smoky Mountain Vacation

For many of us, if we were to imagine a relaxing and peaceful vacation, we would think of the mountains! That’s why so many people choose the Smoky Mountains each year for their vacations and getaways, but the amount of people who visit can sometimes make it challenging to plan a low-key Smoky Mountain vacation. But fear not! We’ve put together this helpful guide to help you relax and recharge by planning a low-key Smoky Mountain vacation. Here are some of our top suggestions:

1. Stay in a Secluded Cabin

The Whispering Creek cabin in a wooded settingOne of the most important parts of any vacation is where you stay, especially if you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing and low-key Smoky Mountain vacation. If this is your goal, there’s nowhere better for you to stay than in a secluded cabin here in the Smoky Mountains! There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by the trees and the mountains, away from the busyness of daily life. You can check out our selection of secluded cabins and find plenty of great options that will be perfect for your low-key Smoky Mountain vacation.

2. Enjoy the Natural Beauty of the Smokies

There aren’t many activities more relaxing than taking in the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains. While spots like Cades Cove can offer nice views, if you’re looking for a low-key Smoky Mountain vacation, you might prefer to visit some of the lesser known areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park where you will tend to encounter fewer crowds. For instance, Cataract Falls is a lesser-known waterfall that is located a short distance from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, giving you an opportunity to check out a gorgeous waterfall without navigating crowds or having trouble parking. This is just one of several great hidden spots that you can uncover at Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

3. Plan Wisely and Avoid the Crowds

view of Smoky Mountain road in the morningIn addition to visiting lesser-known spots, there are some steps you can take while planning to try to avoid large crowds and ensure a relaxing and low-key Smoky Mountain vacation. One of the best ways to avoid crowds is to plan a trip during the non-peak travel season. The most popular times to visit the Smoky Mountains are during the summer and early fall, which means it can sometimes be challenging to avoid crowds when you visit during these times. On the other hand, there tend to be significantly fewer visitors during the winter and early spring, so planning a trip during these times can be ideal for dodging the crowds. There are plenty of great activities to enjoy during any time of the year, so you won’t have any trouble finding things to do even if you visit during the non-peak times of year. Another great way to avoid crowds is by visiting attractions and popular areas during the early mornings and evenings, when fewer people tend to visit!

4. Check Out Local Hidden Gems

While everyone knows about popular area attractions like Dollywood and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, there are also lots of lesser-known attractions in the area that are great additions to a low-key Smoky Mountain vacation. For instance, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg features a fascinating collection of salt and pepper shakers of all different designs, locations, and time periods. As one of the lesser-known attractions in the area, you aren’t very likely to run into large crowds here. You can also check out our list of local hidden gems for lots of ideas of spots to check out!

When you follow some of these suggestions, you’ll be able to plan a low-key Smoky Mountain vacation that will allow you to relax and recharge, leaving you ready to tackle the challenges of everyday life! So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next vacation today by finding the perfect Smoky Mountain cabin! We’ll see you soon!