Gatlinburg TN Area Information

Friday, April 28, 2006

Outdoor Sport in Gatlinburg and the Smokies

Bicycling

One of the best places to ride bicycles in the Smoky Mountains is Cades Cove loop. Cades Cove is a great place to see all the nature in the Smoky Mountains and to get in touch with the historic community. The trail also has picnic tables so if your transportation allows, you can even bring along a picnic lunch.

Camping

Gatlinburg TN offers three local campgrounds. They each have several amenities such as water, electricity, hot showers, cable television, pools, and much more. The Smoky Mountain National Park also has two campground where you can pitch a tent and rough it for a few days. Some of the campgrounds take reservations and others work on a first come first serve basis. The campgrounds available are:

  • Camping in the Smokies
  • Twin Creek RV Resort
  • Leconte Vista RV Resort and Campground

Fishing

The Smoky Mountains has always been famous for its mountain trout, now you can come out and catch one yourself. If your looking for a great way to relax and enjoy some peaceful nature, you should stop by and drop a line. Who knows you may even catch a big one.

Golf

If you are a golfer and are looking for a challenge you should play a game of mountain golf. The rules for mountain golf are the same as anywhere else the only difference is the course. The course is continuously going up and down with no flat spot to be found, which offers a great challenge. Also the amazing scenic background will make it an experience you will never forget. The golf courses in Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains are:

  • Bent Creek Golf Course
  • Central Tee Times
  • Gatlinburg Golf Course

Horseback Riding


Horseback riding is an excellent, old fashion, way to experience the countryside of East Tennessee. Riding stables in the Smoky Mountains offer guided excursions for kids and grownups. The riding stables available in the Smoky Mountains are:

  • Smoky Mountain Stables
  • Sugarlands Riding Stables

Hiking

The Great Smoky Mountains have over 800 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. If you would like to go on an educational, in depth, tour of the Smokies, guided expeditions are available. No matter if you are going hiking for a day or a week, you’re sure to experience all the beauty the Smokies have to offer.

Whitewater Rafting

If your looking for an adrenal rush, there is nothing more exciting then going down and untamed river. The Smokies offer several places you can go whitewater rafting:

  • Rip Roaring Adventures
  • Rafting in the Smokies/Pigeon River Outdoor, Inc
  • Wildwater Ltd Rafting
  • Smoky Mountain Outdoors

Winter Sports

Tennessee has only one ski resort, Ober Gatlinburg. It has eight ski slopes, ranging from beginning to advanced, which lie 3000 feet above sea level. Visitors can ski or snowboard. The slopes are made up of a combination of man-made snow and natural snow. If your not up for skiing, then you can also enjoy its indoor ice-skating rink. Also, you can enjoy a nice hot meal at Ober Gatlinburg’s restaurant.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Smoky Mountains | Gatlinburg | Pigeon Forge - Animals

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the largest tracts of wilderness in the East. It is home to a wide variety of animals. Protected in the park are 66 species of mammals, 50 native fish species, more than 200 varieties of birds, and over 80 types of amphibians and reptiles.

The American Black Bear, is perhaps, the most famous resident of the park. This bear is also the symbol of the Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. Biologists estimate approximately 1,800 bears live in the park.

The groundhog, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, and some squirrel and bat species are the most commonly seen mammals in the park . More than 200 types of birds can be sighted in the park, 85 of those migrate from the neotropics. Over 120 species nest here. Thirty of the bird species listed as "Species of Concern" breed here. The park is an important source for repopulating the areas outside the park that are showing decreases in the numbers of these birds.

The park is surrounded by warm lowlands and has a cool, moist, climate at the park's highest elevations. This creates islands of habitat suitable for animals commonly found in more northern areas. Which allows them to live far south of their present primary ranges. Some of the Northern species such as the red squirrel, rock vole, and the northern flying squirrel thrive at high elevations. While other birds such as the Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Raven, Canada Warbler, reach their southern most breeding point in the park.

The park has over 800 miles of streams to support fish. The park boasts over 50 native fish species, including the brook trout, whose fragile habitat is being wrested from the non-native rainbow and brown trout by active fisheries management. Low elevations, with slower and warmer streams have the greatest diversity including four reintroduced endangered small fish: theYellowfin Madtom, Smoky Madtom, , Spotfin Chub, and Duskytail Darter.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been referred to as the "Salamander Capital of the World." Geologic and climatic factors have combined to cause the development of 30 salamander species in five families. This makes it one of the most diverse areas on earth for this order. In fact, lungless salamanders have undergone an amazing level of evolutionary diversification in the park. Twenty four species inhabit the park, making it the center of diversity for the family.

Before the park establishment in 1934, a number of animals native to the Smoky Mountains were destroyed by, trapping, hunting, changing land uses, and other causes. Some of the species that were wiped out include elk, mountain lion, bison, gray wolf, red wolf, river otter, the Peregrine Falcon, and several species of fish. One of the main goals of the National Park Service is to preserve the flora and fauna of the Smoky Mountains in a condition similar to that which existed prior to the arrival of modern, technological humans. In accordance with this goal, the Park Service has helped reintroduce the elk, Peregrine Falcon, and river otter to the Smoky Mountains.

Human activities dominate large portions of the American landscape. Which causes our national parks to become increasingly valuable as sanctuaries for rare and endangered wildlife. Some of the endangered park animals include the northern flying squirrel, Indiana bat, Peregrine Falcon, spruce-fir moss spider, Smoky madtom and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The Park Service has been involved in a number of efforts to save these species from being completely wiped out. Park resource management crews have conducted prescribed fires in old-growth pine-oak forest to create suitable nesting sites for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Management crews have also erected solid steel barricades at cave entrances to protect endangered bats from spelunkers during critical times of the year. Reintroduction programs have also increased the survival chances for Peregrine Falcons and the Smoky Madtom.

Seeing the wildlife in the Smoky Mountains can be challenging because the park is mostly covered by dense forest. Open areas like Cades Cove offer some of the best opportunities to see white-tailed deer, wild turkey, woodchuck, black bear, raccoon, and other animals. During the winter, wildlife is more visible because deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Many of the animals are most active at night, it can be an advantage to look for wildlife during morning and evening. It is also a good idea to carry some binoculars. And don’t forget to look in the trees because many of the animals spend their days among the branches.



The changes in elevation affect the types of vegetation that grow in the mountains. It also determines where many birds can be found. Some of the species are found only in distinct habitats at certain elevations. Others may range over several habitats.

The spruce-fir forest of the highest ridges is similar to the boreal forest of Canada. It is the southernmost breeding range of the Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Blackburnian, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Canada warblers, Veery, and Winter Wren. Chestnut-sided Warblers are common found in blackberry thickets, the Dark-eyed Junco is abundant in trees, and Common Ravens soar overhead.

The northern hardwood and cove hardwood forests are mixing grounds for northern and southern bird species. A dozen northern breeding species reach their lowest nesting elevation here and almost as many southern birds reach their highest limit. Some of the Northern birds, such as the Northern Blue-headed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Black-throated Blue Warbler overlap with the southern Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Warbler and some others.

The area with the greatest number of bird is the southern hardwoods in the middle and lower elevations. Some common species are the Eastern Screech-Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, and the Song Sparrow. In the summer add the Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and others. In the winter, White-throated Sparrow and the Yellow-rumped Warbler become common.

The diversity of species and number of bird change with the seasons. Late March brings the first migrating songbirds to lower elevations. By late April many species are at peak singing and nesting activity. However, in the high country, snow lingers and it will be mid-June before songbird nesting is at its peak. In the summer, most lowland birds are starting a second brood, while the highland birds are working on their first and perhaps only family of the year. In the fall many of the species are restless to migrate and will leave at night and head south. Some of the birds that begin to migrate in mid-September are the Broad-winged Hawks, a few Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, and Northern Harriers. Even though the migrants are leaving, the winter visitors begin to arrive.


Gatlinburg TN - Fish


The brook trout is the only trout species native to the Smoky Mountains. However non-native brown and rainbow trout have been introduced into the park. Today the trout are found in most large streams below 3,000 feet. Brook trout have lost approximately 75% of their native range in the park since the early 1900s. This is mostly due to logging and the introduction of non-native rainbow trout. The non-native rainbow trout out-compete native brook trout by producing more offspring and growing at faster rates Today, brook trout are only found in about 133 miles of park streams. Restoration efforts have restored brook trout back to 14.6 miles of their native range since 1986. The efforts are still be continued today.

Although most of the streams in the park are cold, clear and pollution free, they are not very productive in terms of growing big trout. Most trout in the park grow relatively fast, live only about 4 years. They die due to a lack of food resources. The diversity of aquatic insects in park streams is quite high. However, the density of each species is fairly low making food resources for trout scarce. Only 4% of brook trout and 30% of rainbow trout will reach about 7 inches. Less than 1% of brook trout will reach 8 inches. Less than 17% or rainbow trout reach 8 inches. Only brown trout, who switch to a fish diet at around 8 inches, have the ability to live beyond 4-5 years and reach sizes of nearly 30 inches.


Gatlinburg TN - Mammals


The black bear is the largest predator in the park. It can most often be spotted in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. Ten other carnivore species inhabit the park, including coyotes, red foxes, and gray foxes. These animals are nocturnal and are not often seen unless surprised after dark along roadsides. Biologist believe that the bobcat is the only wild feline that is lives in the park. Visitors occasionally report seeing mountain lions, however, no definite scientific evidence of their existence has been found in the area in nearly 30 years.

Bats are unique mammals with forelimbs specialized for true flight. All eleven species of bats in the park feed on insects. Seven of these species hibernate during colder months. The other four species migrate. The most commonly seen bats are the big brown bat, eastern red bat, and eastern pipistrelle. Most of the bats found in the park live in the park’s caves. Because bats can be harmed by human disturbance , visitors are prohibited from entering these caves.

There are 27 species of rodents found in the park. Which is the most of any mammal order. The deer mouse and white-footed mouse are the most common mammals in the park. They are often only seen by campers and hikers who are startled by them as they hunt for food during the night. The solitary woodchuck, also known as a ground hog, is less common but can sometimes be seen in open meadows at lower elevations. The park’s largest rodent is the beaver. Which can be found cuttings and dams along the lower portions of creeks in the west and southwest park areas.

The park’s eleven shrew and mole species eat only insects and are rarely seen as they tunnel in search of invertebrate prey beneath the soil and vegetation mats. Two species of rabbit live in the park. The Eastern cottontail, which is common in many habitats, and the Appalachian cottontail, that is uncommon and a secretive forest dweller.

The wild European hog is a non-native species that causes widespread damage to the park's ecosystem by wallowing and rooting. Although totally wiping out this destructive species is probably not possible, wildlife biologists trap or shoot non-native hogs. This helps to keep their numbers in check and reduce the damage caused by the animals.



Gatlinburg TN - Reptiles


Three major groups of reptiles are found in the park: lizards, turtles and snakes. Turtles are strangely constructed reptiles. A turtle’s body is inside a hard shell that consists of an upper and lower half known as a carapace and plastron. Turtles have no teeth. Their jaws are covered by sharp-edged, horny plates that allow the animals to shear and tear their food. Most turtles live in or near water. However they lay shelled eggs on land. The Smokies most common species is the Eastern Box Turtle. It is almost entirely terrestrial, although it may soak in a puddle on very hot days. The six types of turtles that inhabit the park are the snapping turtle, Eastern painted turtle, common map turtle, Eastern box turtle, stripeneck musk turtle, and the Eastern spiny soft shell.

Lizards have dry, scaly skins. These active animals use the heat of the sun to warm their bodies. They are mostly found in warm, dry habitats which occur only at fairly low elevations around the margins of the park. Most lizards have four legs and a trail, but there is one species that lives in the park which has no legs and resembles a snake, the Eastern Slender Glass Lizard. Eight other species of lizards can be found in the park. The Northern fence lizard, Northern green anole, coal skink, five-lined skink, Southeastern five-lined skink, broadhead skink, ground skink and the six-lined racerunner.

23 species of snakes can be found in the park. Only 2 of the these species are poisonous, the Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake. The 23 species of snakes that live in the park are the Eastern worm snake, Northern scarlet snake, Northern black racer, Northern ring-neck snake, corn snake, black rat snake, Eastern hognose snake, mole king snake, Eastern king snake, black king snake, scarlet king snake, Eastern milk snake, Northern water snake, Rough green snake, Northern pine snake, Queen snake, Northern brown snake, Midland brown snake, Northern redbelly snake, Southeastern crowned snake, Eastern garter snake, Eastern earth snake and the two poisonous snakes, the Northern Copperhead and Timber rattlesnake.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Ripley's Attractions in Gatlinburg Tennessee

More than 25 “Ripley’s Believe it or not”! museums are scattered across the globe. The Gatlinburg TN museum resembles a three-story Romanesque building crumbling apart during an earthquake. The outside of the museum has cracks in the cement bricks. The building is also said to lean at a 15-degree level. The Ripley’s Gatlinburg attractions are almost all located near highway 441. The museum is located at 800 Parkway, at Traffic Light #7, on the right corner. On the outside of the museum there is a 5 ton solid granite ball floating on pressurized water. At the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum you can experience seeing all kinds of bizarre exhibits from all parts of the world. Some other exhibits that you may find at the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” museum include; a two headed goat, optical illusions, and a laser harp with invisible strings.
Prices for the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum are as follows; $12.95 (plus tax) for adults and kids 12 and over, $7.95 for kids ages 6 - 11, and $11.95 for seniors. Ages 5 and under are free. The tour of the museum will take approximately about a hour. Ripley’s Believe it or Not is open daily from 10:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.

Ripley's Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg TN

The Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is located in a building that used to be occupied by a company that made caskets. You began your fun filled trip with a trip up a caged escalator to the second floor. After reaching the second floor, quest are greeted by a grim pseudo-vampire "host" who will explain the rules and attempt to instill a sense of terror . Your are then placed in groups of 10-15 people. After assembling the groups, you are instructed to holds hands with your group
members and enter the chambered labyrinth.

While walking through the labyrinth you will encounter long narrow dark hallways and disturbing sights. You will witness an exaggerated portrayal of a strait-jacket mental patient being administered electric shock treatment. Admission to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure are as follows; ages 6-11 is $7.95. Children between the ages of 6 and 11, must be accompanied by an adult. Adults and anyone over 11 are $11.95. Kids under the age of 6 are not permitted. The tour through the Ripley’s Haunted Adventure will last approximately 15-20 minutes. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure opens at 9 a.m. daily.

Ripley's Moving 4D Theater

You can now experience the Ripley’s Moving Theater 4D. Because the seats move, it gives you the feeling of being caught inside of the movie. The theater holds anywhere from 50 - 60 guest. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. You must be 43 inches tall to ride. Tickets are $12.95 for all ages.

Ripley's Davy Crockett Miniature Golf

Ripley’s Davy Crockett Miniature golf course is a perfect place to take the family for some family fun. The golf course opens daily at 9:00 a.m. This course has to 18 hole courses. You can see raccoons, bears, and even chipmunks. The golf course has a set theme of the “old days’ back when a Tennessee hero named Davy Crockett roamed "them thar hills".

Ripleys Aquairium in Gatlinburg TN

The Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg Tennessee, is the perfect place to take the family for some family fun!! The Ripley’s Aquarium is located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. While touring throughout the Aquarium, you can experience how life under water, truly is. Each tank provides a different marine environment for all types of animals. When you enter Ripley’s Aquarium, the introductory tank has a variety of fish including; angelfish, spadefish, and pufferfish, fish found off the coast of the Carolinas south to the Caribbean. There are many different exhibits throughout the Aquarium.

At the discovery center, visitors can learn more about the marine life first hand. The Ripley's Aquarium provides a variety of educational programs on the ocean environment and marine life. The aquarist are on hand to answer any questions that you may have. Special class times and topics for discussions are posted at the marine Education Center daily. The Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Hours for the Aquarium are Sunday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and Friday - Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m Tickets for the Aquarium are $17.95 for adults, Ages 6 -11 $9.95, ages 2-5 are $3.95, and two and under are free. Prices for tickets do not include taxes.

Monday, April 10, 2006

The Great Smoky Mountains have many places and things to photograph. In Gatlinburg TN, some of the most popular subjects in town include photographing your family, spouse, or significant other as they are having a great time. Videoing is also a great choice for Gatlinburg, because nothing is ever standing still here! Once you make a video, it will be just what you need to remind you of all the fond memories you had while visiting Gatlinburg. Take a family picture in one special spot each time you come to Gatlinburg and it will be your own photographic and historic growth chart.

Now, if you are a serious photographer, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is just for you. You can walk a few miles into the forest or a few hundred feet off the roadway, and you are likely find photo opportunities that don't exist anywhere else in America. The nature here is amazing, there are hundreds of deer, elk, and you may even spot a black bear. The beautiful waterfalls and streams also make perfect backgrounds for pictures. The waterfalls and stream are ever changing, so each time you return it will be something different for you to shoot. The vistas are also spectacular, you can see up to seventy-miles on a clear day. The sunrises and sunsets are also extremely beautiful. Best of all, these beautiful places and scenes are free to all. Every picture taken will be absolutely memorable.

One of Gatlinburg’s great places to take pictures is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The trail is a seven-mile one-way loop that starts at the top of Cherokee Orchard Road and ends on Roaring Fork Road. Along the way you will find two log cabins, some streams and low river crossings, an early frame home, and a gristmill. There is also and area of lush forest growth.
Another one of Gatlinburg’s great trails to photograph is The Gatlinburg Trail. It is a two mile, very flat and wide, trail that is used frequently in the morning and evening by athletes and people just wanting to get some exercise. There's a foot bridge about mid-way, and the trail comes close enough to the highway to go up and take the traditional "Intro Page" photo standing by the National Park entrance sign. At the end of the trail there is a Sugarlands Visitor Center, where you can rest before the return trip.

Another park that is great for taking pictures is Greenbrier Park. Greenbrier Road is a lesser-used area of the park that runs along the Little Pigeon River, has a nice day-use area with a few walking paths. Greenbrier Road is also the trailhead for Ramsey Cascades Trail. This trail is a four-mile trail that leads to a 100-foot waterfall that is great for photographing. The river is also a great swimming hole for the locals.

The Chimneys Picnic Area is an area located just off highway 411, where the pigeon river passes over huge boulders. This makes for a great background to photograph friends, family, or your significant other. Around dusk you may even see a bear rambling around. There is also a bridge made of stone near the areas entrance that would also be great for photographing.

Newfound Gap is also a popular area to go and take some beautiful pictures. The gap may be in the clouds or haze on less-than-clear days, so plan to arrive after noon. On a clear day, you can see over 70 miles. The Appalachian Trail passes through the gap. At Newfound Gap there is a huge rock wall and upper podium-style overlook at the entrance to the parking area. This was used as the podium for Franklin D. Roosevelt's formal dedication of the National Park in 1940.
Last, but not least, Cades Cove is a very popular nature area that would be great for photographing. Cades Cove is a eleven mile, one-way road, that is best known for its grazing pastures for deer, bear, horses, and turkey. There is nineteen, historic, marked stops along the trail. The road is very popular so it can become very congested at times, but it closed for use on Wednesday and Saturday only by cyclists. The Spring-Fall season is the best time to see a live demonstration of some nature.

Last, but not least, Cades Cove is a very popular nature area that would be great for photographing. Cades Cove is a eleven mile, one-way road, that is best known for its grazing pastures for deer, bear, horses, and turkey. There is nineteen, historic, marked stops along the trail. The road is very popular so it can become very congested at times, but it closed for use on Wednesday and Saturday only by cyclists. The Spring-Fall season is the best time to see a live demonstration of some nature.

For the person who just wants nice pictures for a photo album, the easiest way to capture these photos in from one of the many Gatlinburg cabins with a Smoky Mountain view. Almost all of the cabins in Gatlinburg have a beautiful deck and either a wooded view or mountain view. You see, we are all about convenience. Let me tell you, nothing is easier than capturing great pictures from your porch.

Monday, April 03, 2006

Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg, Tennessee are not only known for its hugh industry of Gatlinburg cabin rentals, but also for the many hiking trails in the area. One of the main reasons why hiking is so popular in the area is because it is an activity than can be done all year. The Smoky Mountain National Park has well over 150 hiking trails and over 800 miles for you to enjoy. With every season change in the Smoky Mountain National Park new flowers and scenery evolve. With so many trails in the Smoky Mountain National Park they range from easy to difficult and vary greatly in length. For the more experienced hikers you can hike a trail up to about 13 miles and for those who want just a quick look at the beauty you can hike a trail that’s a half of a mile. Also, the Smoky Mountain National Park have wheel-chair accessible paved trails so everyone can enjoy the pure beauty of nature. The Smoky Mountain National Park has many trails to choose from, including hikes to see old forest growths, riverside hikes, waterfall hikes, loop hikes, and hikes that let you enjoy the view of the splendid Smoky Mountains. So, at the Smoky Mountain National Park it doesn’t matter which trail you pick because you know you’ll always be amazed. Some of the most popular are listed below so you can either make your own hike, you pick one from the list.

The Alum Cave Bluff Trail starts at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and you’ll drive 8.6 miles on Newfoundland Gap Road. Soon you will find some parking areas and there’s going to be a gravel pathway that leads to a hiking trail known as The Grassy Patch, which is the beginning of a 2.3 mile hike. The Alum Cave hiking trail is seen as moderately difficult is about 4.6 miles for a year round trip or a 5.1 mile trip to LeConte Lodge. The trip will last anywhere from 2 and ½ hours to 3 and ½ hours, depending on how far you will hike. The Alum Cave Trail is the most popular in the area and is well-known for it’s route to Mt. LeCounte.

The Cades Cove Hiking Trails include hikes to Abrams Falls, Ace Gap, Anthony reek Trail, Beard Cane, Bote Mountain, Cades Cove Nature Trail, Cane Creek, Cooper Road, Crib Gap Trail, the Gregory Bald Hiking Trail, the Gregory Ridge Hiking Trail, Hannah Mountain, Hatcher Mountain, Indian Grave Gap, Little Bottoms, Rabbit Creek Hiking Trail, Rich Mountain Loop Trail, the Russell Field, Scott Mountain and the Wet Bottom horse trail.

The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy 3.8 mile round-trip starting at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Also, the trail in the park allows bicycles and dogs that are on a leash.
The Laurel Falls Trail is described as being in between easy and difficult. The hike is going to be abut 4 miles to one of the most famous waterfalls in the park. This trail is known as one of the busiest ones in the summer time and on weekends all year.

The Rainbow Falls Trail is considered to be pretty challenging, if you can complete it to Mt. LeConte. Allow at least an hour and a half to Rainbow Falls and at least four hours to get to Mt. LeConte. By the time you reach Mt. Leconte you’ll be at an elevation of at almost 4,000 feet. When hiking this trail you’ll leave from Cherokee Orchard Road. Along the way to Mt. LeConte you will see Rainbow Falls, the Alum Cave Trail and the LeConte Lodge.

The Roaring Fork Area is a five-mile one way hike close to Gatlinburg and it is referred to as a motorized nature trail. There are some walking and hiking trails close by. In this area of the Smoky Mountains you will see mountain streams, an old-growth forest, historic log cabins, and a grist mill.

Before hiking make sure to stop by the Gatlinburg Welcome Center or the Sugarlands Visitor Center to get a hiking map. The maps they give you can also provide you with information about the trails in the park, like brief descriptions, distance, degree of difficulty, and location. The maps are also full of safety information to help you. So, not only do the maps keep you from getting lost in the beautiful Smoky Mountain National Park but they provide you with safety too.

Located close by are hundreds of Gatlinburg Cabins. Please feel free to contact Cabins For You to book your cabin in Gatlinburg. We offer several luxurious cabins at great prices. We can be reached at 1.800.684.6875.