4 Awe-Inspiring Areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Allow mother nature to provide an escape unlike any you’ve experienced before! Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the shining star of the Smoky Mountains, giving visitors an opportunity to be one with all the natural wonders that surround us. Here in America’s most-visited national park, your mind will be put to ease as the sights and sounds of the Smokies wrap you in a comforting embrace. Here are 4 awe-inspiring areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Clingmans Dome
The highest point in the state of Tennessee features picturesque views you don’t want to miss out on! Clingmans Dome, standing at 6,643 feet, makes a wonderful place to enjoy a Smoky Mountain sunrise or sunset. From the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, you’ll be able to see out for miles on clear days, savoring every last inch of 360-degree views. On clear days, you may be able to see out as far as 100 miles! There’s even a secret tunnel to explore underneath Clingmans Dome Road!
2. Cades Cove
If you polled folks about their favorite place in the national park, Cades Cove would be the top choice of many! The beauty of Cades Cove is unmatched, providing visitors with the elusive peace and quiet we all seek. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road twists and turns through this valley tucked away in the mountains, offering plenty of fun for guests of all ages along the way. Historic buildings like the John Oliver Cabin, the Carter Shields Cabin, the grist mill and the cantilever barn transport you back to much simpler times in the Smoky Mountains.
3. Elkmont
The remnants of an abandoned logging camp and resort town still exist to this day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Elkmont is a ghost town and one of the best hidden gems in the Smokies! This portion of the park was first settled in the 1840s and would later establish a bustling logging railway. This railroad helped transform Elkmont into a popular vacation destination for some of the wealthiest families living in nearby Knoxville. Explore a number of historic structures to learn more about life for some of the earliest inhabitants of the Smoky Mountains!
4. Newfound Gap
Take the scenic drive of your life in Newfound Gap! An auto tour along Newfound Gap Road is like a highlight reel of some of the most beautiful sights and scenes the Smoky Mountains have to offer! This road connects the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the national park, starting at Sugarlands Visitors Center and finishing at the Mountain Farm Museum in Cherokee, North Carolina. Overlooks, picnic areas, visitors centers and historic buildings give you plenty of options as far as places to stop and soak up all the beauty. This scenic drive typically takes 60-90 minutes, or longer, depending on the number of stops you make along the way.
You’ll be stuck in awe when you visit these areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Are you ready to hit the trails when you visit? Check out some can’t-miss hiking trails you’ll want to explore!
