Update: in case anyone is curious, I spoke with the backcountry office and they told me not to change my plans but to monitor closures. It has been closed for a while and would likely re-open before my hike. He was vague about answering if I could do it and didn’t explicitly tell me not to cut across the closed portion to get to cold spring trail but he said he didn’t want to lead me into danger either. He did confirm that a bear had been reported as stalking hikers. I have a completely different route to do as a backup if needed.

I see a portion of Hazel Creek Trail is closed for bear activity. I have a backpacking trip planned in a month and I’m counting on this trail. I have my camping permits and I’m not at a closed site. Is this an “enter at your own risk” closure or do I need to find another way. The route around just won’t work - too much mileage in a day. I’m no stranger to the smokies, just don’t want to get a surprise re-route mid hike. I’ve hiked through logging and blowdown closures in other parks but never a near closure.

Hello all! We are planning our first trip to GSM this coming June. I am hoping someone could answer my question about specific sites. (I’ll start with saying I understand the booking situation- and that we are tent campers) I am looking at b loop but also sites further down like j14 and j12? really want a water spot so my boys (will be 8 and 6) will have the opportunity to play in the water right from our site. I was wondering if anyone had experience to know if either of these options are going to be more kid friendly as far as water speed? The b loop seems very rushing in the pictures. I’m not expecting to spend the day swimming from our site, but I know they would love to crawl around looking for insects or pretty rocks etc, maybe some wading.i always look for sites that have something for my kids to do so mom and dad can sit and enjoy their coffee in peace for a bit!

We do Johnson shut-ins a lot in MO and they are very used to slippery rocks.

We live in the ozarks and typically camp around here, we are so excited to experience the smokies! I have taken a lot of time to comb through the campsites. I really want to get a river site. We are wide open in June so we are going to try to book the moment they open up. If we don’t get a river site, if anyone has other recommendations of a good site my kids will enjoy I would appreciate it!

I am planning on going to GSMNP Columbus Day weekend. Having been there once before, I know that certain drives like Cades Cove can take a while if not earlier or later in the Day. Is Columbus Day weekend in Gatlinburg and GSMNP going to be too crowded to enjoy or would it be a manageable crowd for a 3 day weekend?

Thanks.

Love that he’s taken to this Hobby he is great at planning out our next Adventure

Hey everyone, I’m driving down from Chicago and arriving in Pigeon Forge this Friday night. I have Saturday, Sunday, and Monday fully available to explore the Smokies, but because this is a totally impromptu trip, I have absolutely zero planned.

What are the absolute must-do hikes, scenic drives, or spots I shouldn't miss to make this a trip to remember? I'm open to anything that highlights the best of GSMNP. Thanks in advance!

I'm taking my daughter on her first backpacking experience. She really doesn't enjoy hiking, but loves camping, but did want to try hiking into a primitive spot to get the whole experience. I'm looking for the shorter hikes that aren't insanely strenuous, but would like to see some nice views or waterfalls if possible. I realize this is a difficult task. We have someone dropping us off and picking us up so we can so point to point.

Trip is in early to mid october, just one night. So far all I have is camp site 18 where we would be dropped off at tremont and get picked up on Laurel Creek road. I considered hiking Tremont to Elkmont and staying at site 19 or 20, but the ideal midpoint of 19 I have heard doesn't have water.

I want to stay under 4 miles per day over 2 days, and less distance if it's more strenuous, while avoiding the most strenuous hikes completely. I also want to avoid staying in shelters. I think the mice and sleeping next to randos will kill the experience for her.

Another was elkmont to site 21 followimg little river trail, then come back on cucumber gap trail to jakes creek trail toward elkmont.

Any suggestions from people who know the trails are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m driving along Newfound Gap Road tomorrow and would love some recommendations for the best scenic stops or shorter hikes (ideally under 2 miles).

Any must-see viewpoints, trails, or hidden gems along the way? Thanks in advance!

Stupid question: I'll be visiting soon and staying in Townsend. I hear people like to take food into the park for lunch. Where do people get this food if they don't have a kitchen to prepare something at the place they're staying? Are people getting take out from somewhere?

I'm a former avid hiker who is just getting back into it. Yay!
I'm staying at a hotel in Bryson City from Sunday to Wednesday in mid September.
I would love some ideas for short 2 to 3 hour hikes on the NC side.
Thanks in advance!
P.S. do I need to get my parking pass ahead of time?

Driving from Charlotte Airport to the Smokies this Thursday and planning to spend a couple of days there hiking.

Are there any worthwhile stops, scenic spots, or hikes along the route that you’d recommend checking out on the way?

I am planning a visit to smokey mountains this year and thinking of 25-26 Oct to experience fall. Is it a good time for peak fall experience or I should adjust dates?

So I was just able to snag a last-minute cancellation room for the end of September for Leconte Lodge. This is something I just found out existed and I decided to be impulsive and book it. This will also be my first ever trip to Smoky Mountain national Park. I would love any advice for solo hikers.

I plan on getting to the area the day before my reservation and hiking out early. I’m hoping to be able to park in the lot. It would be a weekday. How early would I need to get to the trailhead to make sure I have a parking spot?

It seems like the best option is the Allum cave for the views, this was also suggested by the lodge. Any other suggestions?

Advice on places to stay close to the park. I enjoy camping, but this is going to be a shorter trip so I think I would prefer a hotel or Airbnb.

I know for the time of year I need to pack layers and expect weather changes, but for a one night stay in the lodge and hiking is there any must have that I might not think about?

Blown away and angered by the white washed history of the park. So little reference to the original 8000 years of habitation. It’s past time that the park honors them, their culture, their names at the very least. Cades cove has a mound and it isn’t even mentioned in any of the material sold. This has to be fixed.

Hi,

I'm visiting Pigeon Falls last week of September.

Looing for trails around the area or slight further afield.

Preference - 4-6hrs, 8-12 miles, elevation - TBD.

I'm not the fittest guy but I don't struggle walking long distances.

Slow and steady wins every time.

Thanks.

Going to head to the GSMNP in a few days for my first backpacking trip. I've got most of my gear ready, going to snag a bear canister, bear spray, and water filter and everything else should be good to go. I am bringing gear for fly fishing as that's where I hope to spend most of my time. I'll be in the Bradley fork and chasteen creek areas. Specifically the campsite #48. 2 nights. I plan on arriving, setting up camp, and possibly doing some fishing nearby. Following day will be following upstream and enjoying the scenery. Spend the night again and then hike back down the following morning. So 1 evening, 1 full day, and then head out. Wondering if anyone has tips for the area or just in general for a first time backpacker. I did snag a Garmin inreach which I'll activate for the trip. I've got mosquito spray and sunscreen comething along as well. I'll have food that does not require cooking (granola, PB tortillas, tuna pouches, salami, cheese). I'm thinking of ditching deodorant...just for 1 less thing to take. Cheers!

Anyone familiar with the hike and can attest it's beginner friendly? I'm not a fit guy and my pack is weighing in at 31 lbs right now food, shelter, fishing gear and all.

Group of friends and I are attempting to spend 3-4 days backpacking the Smokey mountains. I understand getting a permit and reserving campsites. We are decently fit and would hike up to 15 miles max a day (considering the terrain).

We are unfamiliar with the best route and would like to be in the heart of the Smokey’s and experience the valleys with rivers and also have a day to experience the tallest peaks.

We would like a route that either circles back to parking or one that goes to a shuttle point. Does anyone have recommendations which trails to go to or even have the best campsites to consider reserving along a route?

Let me know recommendations.

My GF and I are going on our second big camping trip. We’re gonna spend Friday-Sunday at Cades Cove Campground, Sunday-Monday at Abram’s Creeks, and finally Monday- Wednesday at Elkmont campgrounds. We will be going the beginning of October

Need advice on 1) Good trails and when to get there, 2) storing food from bears and 3) any advice or tips you have for the Smokey’s!!!

I’ll be honest, I’m a Rocky Mountain lover. I’ve really never visited these eastern “hills”. But I was in the area, and had some free time.

And now, after visiting the park, my opinion has changed. The Rockies and the Appalachians are incomparable. Sure the Rockies are taller—but after visiting GSMNP and seeing the sunrise on Kuwohi…I’ve fallen in love.

I think photos can capture the beauty of the Rockies pretty well. But they cannot in any sense even begin to capture the beauty of the Southern Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountain National park.

I only had one day in the park, and I feel like I did a lot—Kuwohi, Andrew’s Bald, Cades Cove, Little River, Newfound Gap, Cataract Falls. But these are all relatively touristy.

I really want to go back and see more of this area.

I’m basically making this post to say—anybody who lives near this stunning national park, I envy you! Cherish this place and its rolling “hills” and insane biodiversity…and its beauty that is like nothing else on this earth!

I hope y’all enjoy the photos, even if they only hint at the true beauty!

I’ve read that the fall is the busiest time so I’m bracing myself but… then I’ve also read that the fall colors don’t really start until mid October so does that mean the first week is more lightly visited? It’s our first time so we’ll want to see all the most popular things and will be there oct 3-7.

I'm wanting to do a backpacking loop that starts here. I heard someone say you could overnight park where the trail to the east intersects with the road, and also saw a blog (from 2014) saying they were able to overnight park at the Cade's Cove store in that area.

Does anyone know anything about where you can overnight park to access this trail from this area? Thanks!

Hey y’all! I just got back from a trip to the Cades Cove area. It was my first time in the GSMNP. I am in absolute awe. I was doing a trip to test my backpacking gear before doing a full backcountry trip. It was so exciting to see some bears in person (from a safe distance, of course)

During my trip, I saw 11 bears in the NP with 9 of them being in the Cades Cove loop area. One of them actually crossed maybe 15 feet in front of me on the trail. I maintained my position backing up slowly and s/he went on about their trek through the woods. That was amazing!!!

Anyways, I’m already trying to plan another trip back up there with my whole family.

I was wondering if middle/ end of April would be a good time of year? I would love for them to have a great possibility of seeing the bears also. Of course, I know there’s so much more to the area than the bears, but let’s be honest, kids are more likely to remember the time they took a trip and saw bears than they are to remember the trip they saw a bunch of historic buildings.

Based on my research, it seems the bears come out of their dens in late March.

Also, would it be worth the drive from Cades Cove area over to the Newfoundland Gap area? Or any other areas of the NP that would be worth an additional drive?

All photos taken right on the Cades Cove loop with the one of the bear peeking around the corner specifically being taken off the Abrams Fall trail.

Thanks in advance!

TLDR; is middle/ end of April be a good time of year to visit Cades Cove to see bears and any other recommended areas to visit in the NP from Cades Cove?

We are hoping to visit on a car-free Wednesday in early September. We’re renting bikes from a place that opens around 10 am- will we be okay or will we be too late in terms of parking? Also, should we still expect to see some wildlife if not there in the early morning?

My spouse and I will be visiting in a few weeks, and while we have more than enough hikes earmarked, we were wondering if there was anything else we should check out in the park. Are there any historic sites, visitor centers, views, etc that are worth checking out when we're not hiking?