3 Popular Places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park You Need to Visit

April 25, 2024

If you love the outdoors, you should definitely visit the Great Smoky Mountains when you stay with us. Over 10 million people flock to the national park every year to enjoy the natural beauty. If you need help planning a visit, read on to find out more about this popular tourist attraction. Check out this list of 3 places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park you need to visit:

1. Cades Cove

Cades Cove receives 5 million visitors every year and it’s the most visited place in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A great thing to do there is go for a hike. If you’re a beginner, a great route to take is the Cades Cove Nature Trail. It has a roundtrip length of 2 miles and flat terrain. If you want something a little more challenging, take the Abrams Falls Trail. It has a roundtrip length of 5.2 miles. The route has a low elevation gain, but the terrain can be slippery around the waterfall. In addition to hiking another way to explore the area is by driving along Cades Cove Loop Road. No matter how you do it, you’ll love admiring all the scenery. There may even be wildlife wandering about.

2. Clingmans Dome

The Clingmans Dome observation tower is a great place to see mountain views. This is because the peak is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 feet. See for as far as 100 miles on a clear day. It is great that visitors can enjoy it year-round. However, it is important to note that Clingmans Dome Road closes seasonally from late December through early March. This is due to the hazardous conditions created by snow and ice in the winter. While you can’t reach it by car, visitors can still get to the observation tower by hiking along Clingmans Dome Road. Keep in mind that the route is a strenuous 17.5 miles round trip making it ideal for experienced hikers. No matter what time of year you go to Clingmans Dome, remember that the higher elevations means cooler temperatures. Bring along a light jacket or heavy coat to stay warm depending on the season!

3. Elkmont

Elkmont is another popular place in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The unique history fascinates visitors. It started in 1901 when Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased the land and founded the Little River Lumber Company. It included a railroad that connected the logging site to the sawmill. To make a little extra money, Townsend established a train tour. The patrons wanted to stay around the area, so a wealthy resort community was formed. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was founded, people left their homes, leaving behind over 70 abandoned buildings. Park officials have worked to restore some of the buildings and keep the area’s history alive. When hikers explore, they can go inside some of the structures!

We hope you enjoyed learning about some popular places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Want to know even more about this attraction? Check out our list of popular things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!