Great Smoky Mountain Must Sees

[Archicamper]

In two weeks, I will be camping for 3 days at Cades Cove and 3 day at Indian Boundaries in the Smoky Mountains. What are some must sees in the area that I should plan on visiting while I am down there?

Thanks

[rsdata]

If you have any interest in Masonic lore then find the masonic monument just off the road in the park. The park does not advertise the place and there are no brochures that I have found that describe it, but you can find information here
Great_Smoky_Mountains_Masonic_Monument

[rsdata]

also look up the NPS Cataloochee campground

It is a developed campground, but is limited to small TT and popups as the road to get to the CG is one lane and dirt with some blind curves where it is difficult to backup. Fortunately there is not much traffic that goes to the area and the road to the CG is nearly deserted. There are things to see near the CG and often you can see Elk in the meadows nearby in the early evening.

Go there and see if that could be a destination for you the next time you are in the area.

[k8mlp]

Clingmans Dome is a must. And if you have time make resv. for Dixie Stampede we enjoyed the show and dinner.

[80gator]

Enjoy the loop around cades Cove. Stopping at the old Homestead sites to me is a must and taking the Abraham Falls hike (about 4.5 miles) are some of the must do when we have been there. Staying in Townsend @ Lazy Daze in two weeks for 3 nights. Just out of Cades Cove. We have sites right on the Little River and all will be enjoying tubing down it as well.

[KyDan]

The foothills parkway outside Townsend is a very scenic drive. Must stop is Look Rock park and walk to the top of the tower. 360 degree view!

[dave961]

Do a search for waterfalls in the area - there are a lot. Most are a short hike off the road.

[uhduh camping]

Be prepared to see theses. This was just two weeks ago at Cades Cove.

[Ken K.]

Cherohala skyway is also a very pretty drive. US 129 between Deals gap NC and the overlook on the Tennessee side boast the honor of being one of Americas Curviest roads 311 curves in 11 miles. Watch for motorcyclist. They come from all over to ride that stretch of road. Nanatahala Gorge on 19 south of Robinsville is pretty good white water rafting. The water is 42 degrees year round.I would stay away from pigeon forge unless you like sitting in traffic.

[bob7794]

Roaring Fork Motor Trail out of Gatlinburg. Check out Elkmont Campground and the cabins just above the campground.

[tragusa3]

"Unto These Hills" is an outdoor play of the Cherokee Indians and the leadings up to the "Trail of Tears". I went as a kid with my parents and again as an adult (it has changed in the last 10 years). I have yet to take my own children, but plan to.

Drive the BRP as far as Pisgah and back. This is the best part of the entire drive IMO.

[epcotisbest]

We always head in to Pigeon Forge for a fried Apple pie (or three) at the Apple Barn. And while I could live without it, my wife enjoys some of the outlet shops and the Christmas Place.

[Archicamper]

Thanks for the input. We are planning on bicycling the Cades Cove loop (closed to motorized vehicles on Wednesday morning) and will be driving part of the Cherohala skyway on the way to Indian Boundary campground.

Interesting to here about the bears! We are in a hybrid so we will need to be diligent with what we keep in the camper. I understand that the refrigerator is not a problem.

[conceptumator]

We just got back from that area last Saturday - spent a week exploring the back roads, etc. our toad is a Jeep, so we went a lot of places that I wouldn't even consider taking a trailer or RV. Saw four bears around Cade's Cove, missed the elk at Cataloosee (sp?). Lots of turkey everywhere, several deer and a couple of not so shy coyotes. Got caught in an unbelievable hail storm (Google hailstorm in Pigeon a Forge last week). Weather there was fantastic temperature wise. We planned to do the Balsam drive the day the storms got really bad (by the Masonic marker) but didn't feel it was safe due to flash flooding. Have a great time!

[Baldicon]

Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. They don't take credit cards.

[KyDan]

If you're going to bicycle the Cades Cove loop get there early!!
It opens at dawn. It's a pretty good way around and the earlier you are,
the less crowded and the more wildlife you'll likely see.
Also open Saturday morning dawn till 10 AM I believe for bikes and walkers
only.
After 10 they open the gates to cars and you don't want to compete with
cars. The road is too narrow.

[DK-in-SC]

We're heading to Cherokee NC next weekend for some fly fishing. Plenty of places in GSMNP to wet a line if that is your thing. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Cherokee and you'll often see elk roaming the field by the entrance.
Now that we have a camper, the Smokies are definitely a place I want to learn more about. This thread is very educational. Thanks to all that have contributed.

[gtdmce]

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is the one place that we always go at least once when we are there. There are huge servings of food so you might want to share. The desserts are wonderful.

[Archicamper]

Just got back from the trip to the Smokies and wanted to offer the following observations. Cades Cove campground was great! I took a spare battery but we made it through our three day stay there with the Group 24 battery that came with the camper. I was still in the green based on hydrometer readings on the last day. We were very frugal with electricity because I wasn't sure how the Roo 19 would do.

I was a little surprised that most of the generators in use were the contractor variety that were loud! I only saw 1 Honda inverter but would recommend a quiet inverter generator just for the sake of your neighbors.

The Cades Cove Loop was fun but strenuous by bicycle. There are some good hills and it was hot the morning we were there. We enjoyed staying in the Park and got out to Townsend and Gatlinburg. Townsend seemed like a nice place to be if you wanted to stay outside the park. We got absolutely no cell service from Verizon while in the park except on top of Clingmans Dome. We saw bears and owls while we were there.

I will do a couple of other post on other campsite we stayed along the way when I get a chance.

[OldCoot]

The most important thing to see in the Smokeys is the scenery. SLOW DOWN, STOP and get out and look at God's handiwork! It is breathtaking.