3 Awesome Places to Go in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You’ve chosen one of our spacious Smoky Mountain cabins for your group vacation. The next step in planning is to put together an itinerary. If you’re having trouble deciding what to do, let us tell you about a popular tourist attraction. Here is a list of 3 awesome places to go in Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

1. Cades Cove

Cades Cove receives an estimated 5 million visitors each year. This makes it the most popular place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One great activity is to drive on Cades Cove Loop Road. It is a popular 11-mile scenic drive that is open year-round. You can drive in your vehicle or ride bikes on it. Along with the stunning natural scenery, the route has many preserved historical buildings. They were built and used by the settlers who lived in the area before the national park was established. If you like hiking, you’ll also find some great trails here. An ideal beginner route is the Cades Cove Nature Trail. On the other hand, more experienced hikers will love Gregory Bald.

2. Kuwohi

Another awesome place to go in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome. The peak is the highest point in the park as well as Tennessee overall. The observation tower was built in 1959 and it makes it easy for visitors to see stunning views. Look out to admire views for up to 100 miles on a clear day. If you visit during the colder months, it is important to note that Kuwohi Road closes seasonally from early December through late March due to hazardous conditions created by the cold weather. You can still reach the observation tower on foot by walking Kuwohi Road. No matter how you get to Kuhowi, keep in mind that the high elevation makes it 10 to 20 degrees colder. Stay warm by wearing a light jacket in the warmer months and layers in the winter.

3. Elkmont

Elkmont is another popular place on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of course, it is known for its beautiful scenery just like the rest of the area. It has a unique backstory as well. Elkmont was first settled in the 1840s. In 1901, Colonel Wilson B. Townsend founded the Little River Lumber Company on the land. Townsend made extra money by offering scenic train rides to tourists. Visitors wanted to stick around the area and transformed it into a resort community. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established, the people quickly moved away and there were over 70 abandoned buildings. Because of this large quantity, this area was deemed a “ghost town.” The National Park Service has since preserved the hard work of the people who once lived in Elkmont. Today, over 19 of the buildings have been restored and preserved. Some structures have been moved from their original locations. Most of them are cabins in which the residents once lived. You can also see the Appalachian Clubhouse as well! All of the preserved buildings are located on the Elkmont Nature Trail.

Now you know of some awesome places to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Want to know even more about this tourist attraction? Check out our other list of top things to do in the Smoky Mountains with a large group!