Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We fell in love. Absolutely life changing for a heart patient and two time cancer survivor couple who are in their journey of healing. We spent a week in a cabin nearby and once we visited, we bought a pass for the whole week. BEST decision we ever made. We hiked, took deep breaths, got lost and when we went back to the cabin we left with more than when we came in with. Super restorative. Met great people from everywhere. We would pass each other and connect, exchange stories, felt good that we weren't the only ones trying to take a few breaks. It. Was. Awesome. Already planning for our other trip! Oh! If you do the hikes, you can get your own badges showing off your accomplishments at the store! We stocked up after all our adventures 😊

Beautiful park. It was our first time here and we had our 5 year old with us, so we hiked Laurel Falls to begin with. It was mostly paved and easy to get to and the waterfall at the end was worth it. It was a little busy and tough to find parking but it’s to be expected. Can’t wait to come back and visit more of the park when we have more time!

Amazing drive, beautiful views in fall.
A couple of tips:
1) make sure you have a full gas tank, this road is long and cross between states, it could take you miles to exit depending where you heading.
2) some parts of the road since it is high mountain, you might lose phone signal.

GSM is an absolutely beautiful preservation of the mountains. The trails, picnic videos and ranger stations we visited were all maintained, clearly marked, accessible and fun to visit. Trails along the creeks were especially beautiful. Driving, walking or hiking are all great ways to experience the views. Most trails and wildlife areas in the region are park of the park, so buying a parking or visiting pass is a good idea. They are mostly reasonable at around $5.

Highly recommended to everyone who loves nature and hiking but be aware of bear, I mean beer, there are lots of good breweries around so drink responsibly lol.
Love the road trip from all way from Houston.

We recently visited the NC side, and took the drive over to TN just about every day we were there. There are a lot of turns, but the drive is not treacherous. I love that they have so many paths and pull-offs so you can take as many photos as your heart desires.
At the top is the NC/TN border, and probably the best view of them all

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provided my family and me with an unforgettable experience of natural beauty and tranquility. As we entered the park, we were immediately captivated by the breathtaking vistas of rolling mountains, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The park's serene atmosphere created the perfect setting for us to bond and reconnect with nature.

Exploring the park's numerous hiking trails allowed us to immerse ourselves in the peaceful surroundings. Each step we took revealed a new wonder, whether it was a hidden stream, a vibrant wildflower, or a majestic wildlife sighting. The diversity of the park's ecosystem was awe-inspiring, and we were constantly amazed by the wonders that unfolded before our eyes.

One of the highlights of our visit was witnessing the sunrise from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. Standing atop the observation tower, we were treated to a panoramic view of the mountains as they were bathed in golden hues by the first light of day. It was a moment of pure serenity and a memory that will forever be etched in our hearts.

Overall, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provided us with a remarkable and memorable experience. Its beauty and tranquility rejuvenated our spirits and allowed us to forge lasting memories. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or quality time with loved ones, I highly recommend visiting this extraordinary park.

Great National Park. Had such a wonderful experience with our dogs. The Gatlinburg trail was so beautiful and our dogs were so exited to be there.

The views were good but when we reached there the peak was over. So I could not see the best of fall colors. We did not go to top of mountain we covered half way. In some places there is elevation.

There are small walkway bridges which are very good and best for taking our pictures.

Popping fall colors! Spent Halloween at a cabin, tucked away in the Smoky Mountains. Beautiful scenery!

Def recommend the hiking trail to Laurel Falls, easy for beginners and families. So happy we saw Mama bear & 3 cute cubs close to our cabin!

Nothing beats the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains! Amazing trails, hundreds of waterfalls, awesome flora and fauna to see. It is the most visited national park, so plan ahead for visiting during spring and fall when it’s the busiest. Parking passes are required for any parking not at a visitor center. They can be purchased online ahead of time or at any visitor center.

Incredibly gorgeous and massive park! There are so many hiking trails here that you could probably spend a week here and not even do 10% of them! I only spent two days at this park, and I hiked maybe 10 miles or so worth of trails, and it was definitely worth the trip! Stunning views, moderately difficult trails, and all sorts of wildlife! 100% recommended!

SMNP was a beautiful experience!!
Visited in September 2023, weather was perfect!! Definitely need more than one day to see/hike/experience everything there is here. We plan on coming back here many more times :)

Besides the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, we encountered a herd of 23 female Elk who just crossed a nearby stream to graze in the nearby freshly growing grass. My Grandson, wife, and 2 young children stood behind that old rugged fence watching quietly and in awe of these beautiful animals. At one startlingly moment, I turned around, and not 6ft. from in back of us, stood this gigantic male bull staring at us. We all froze hanging onto the fence, and prayed, as the3 and 5 yr old sat on their parents shoulders. I had on a bright green jacket and could feel and hear him breathing on it. Thank God, the kids were warned in time to be extremely quiet. 🙏🏼 Thankfully, the big guy left as quietly as he came. My Grandson was in tears as he explained that through the corner of his eye he could see the big Elk back up behind me and put his head, huge antlers down in an attack mode. THANK GOD, I guess he realized we weren't a threat to his Harem of some pregnant females,and slowly walked away. I asked my Grandson if he was able to get a picture of him. He said, Gram, I didn't dare move an inch. I thought we were going to have to take you to the hospital, or worse!!!!! SMART THINKING 🤔 👍 SO, as you enjoy the beauty of the land, also be aware of the dangers that could creep up on you!!!!! God Bless!!!!!

Long wait to get in but totally worth it. Lots of places to pull over to take pictures that are quite likely to be taken. Went on one of the paths to see a waterfall that was 1.3 miles. They aren't mobility scooter friendly and are eroding. Very beautiful place.

We love the Great Smoky Mountains. We visit at least once a year in the fall and sometimes in the spring. The serene, peaceful surroundings are very nice. We like to hike in the mountains and visit Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork motor trail to see the cabins. It is an amazing park. Highly recommended.

This place was awesome there was traffic but the elk were out we saw 7 it so awesome to see mother nature at its best. The weather was great and the views were magnificent. I definitely recommend the drive and the visitors center had a little gift shop and staff to answer any questions you might have. The little wooden farm you could go and walk up to and see the structures. And the water running behind was a nice sight

If you enjoy nature and love fall follege this is the place to be in late October and early November. The Smoky mountains are Wonderful. Thre are many trails for hiking. I recommend the trip across from Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN. I posted a few fall photos as you can't describe it in only words.

Awesome place. It was bit crowded but the we were on the perfect time. It got all colors and awesome views and weather. Was able to see bears live. Enjoyed a lot with family

First time hiking here. It was a moderate hike. Beautiful views, lots of parking, they do have bathrooms available before you go on the trail. Lots of traffic getting there on the weekends. To avoid heavy traffic come before 11 am. There are signs for Elk sightings. We didn't get to see any. Lots of wind as you are getting to the top. Loved every minute of it.