The Great Smoky Mountains are the best place for a nature lover looking to explore the southeastern United States. Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, this is America’s most-visited national park, and a quick Google image search will show you why. This mountain range offers some of the most breathtaking views in the country, perfect for hiking and photo ops.
Where to sleep:
LeConte Lodge in Sevierville, Tennessee
This is the only hotel in the national park. The Sevierville, Tennessee Guest Lodge is ideal if you want to be in the middle of nature but still have basic amenities.
Campsites
If you want the full experience, camping might be for you. There are four different campsites throughout the park, ranging from RV and tent camping to campsites for eight or more people.
Where to play:
horse riding
There are numerous stables throughout the park (Cades Cove, near Townsend, Tennessee, Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC, Smoky Mountain, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee ). The journeys on the beautiful trails can take between 45 minutes and a few hours. Some of the stables also offer carriage and wagon rides.
To go biking
Cycling is a great way to incorporate fitness while enjoying the view. Although there are no mountain trails for cycling, cyclists can safely ride their bikes on the roads in the park.
Where should we eat:
Cades Cove Campground Store
There are no restaurants in the park. However, this campground store has a snack bar that serves breakfast items, snacks, wraps, and more.
Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar
Unless you’re too deep in the park and want to go to a restaurant, check out this seafood eatery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a taste of fresh seafood and local microbreweries.
