Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The 522,427-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in both Tennessee and North Carolina, with the state line running through its middle. From the Paleo Indians of prehistory to the European settlers of the 19th century, humans have inhabited the highlands for a very long time. As one of the few free national parks in America, the park is now visited by more than 10 million visitors annually who take part in outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and fishing as well as beautiful drives to Cades Cove and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Bring a lunch if you plan to cycle the Cades Cove Loop on Wednesdays between May and September when the road is closed to traffic or go on one of the breathtaking treks to Abrams or Rainbow Falls. At the Cades Cove Visitor Center, check out the ancient gristmill and Cable Mill. At the Sugarlands Visitor Center, visit the wildlife exhibits, watch a documentary about the park, and buy one-of-a-kind gifts.
The summer months (June, July, and August) and the fall are the ideal periods to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The busiest month during the summer is July, while the weekends in October are popular with people who want to see the fall foliage. No matter what time of year you visit, take clothes and a rain jacket because the park has a diverse landscape with heights ranging from 875 feet to more than 6,000 feet, and temperatures can change by up to 20 degrees from the peak to the base. In the summer, it gets very hot, with highs in the 80s in lower elevations and mid-60s in higher elevations.
Although the lower elevations have a more temperate environment with winter temperatures in the 50s, winters in the higher elevations can see temperatures plummet into the mid-30s and result in road closures due to snow. The excellent time to go is in mid-September, when the summer crowds have dispersed and lodging costs are at their lowest. For crisp fall weekends in October, rates will be higher. January through March sees the majority of the yearly snowfall. There are also less tourists and cheaper hotel prices throughout the early spring (March to May). The park is open every day of the year, however certain visitor centers, campgrounds, and historic sites close in the winter.
Rankings:
- #2 in Best Places to Visit in the Carolinas
- #3 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee
- #5 in Best Fall Vacations
- #8 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
- #10 in Best U.S. National Parks
- #13 in Best Places to Visit in October
State: North Carolina and Tennessee
