Heading back from a trip out west to see a friend in Asheville, the Great Smoky Mountains happily lay in my way. After you navigate the traffic jam that is Pigeon Forge (home to Dollywood), you end up in some of the most pristine wilderness on the east coast. Most of this park seems to be designed to view from a car, which was just fine with me in this case. There are tons of pullouts with interpretive trails, and and ample supply of campgrounds and views.
My favorite things to do here
- View scenery
- Laurel Falls trail
Things I want to come back to do
- Clingmans Dome
- Tour the historic buildings
- Visit the waterfalls
Fun Facts
- Most visits of any National Park – 20 million in 2003
National Park Service Website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/
NPS Map: http://home.nps.gov/applications/hafe/hfc/carto-detail.cfm?Alpha=grsm