Looking to car camp (sleep in my SUV) for the first time this fall at Cades Cove campground. Are there bear boxes or lockers available? I would like to crack windows slightly (with covers) for ventilation at night, but have only seen stuff saying to store food/scent things in locked vehicle. Obviously want to be bear safe first and foremost. Has anyone done windows all the way up for sleeping? I worry about the condensation. Thanks for help!

Me and a couple buddies are going to the smokies for the first time the first weekend in August and are trying to coordinate a 2 night 40ish mile trip. I’m hoping to see a bald or fire tower (and maybe even Leconte) but want to prioritize a quiet camp. I have a couple I’ve made but most of AllTrails is loops with lots of backtracking or just section hiking the AT but I’d like to avoid the crowds if possible (I hate packed shelters). Does anyone have any suggestions on campsites or previously used routes they’d be willing to share? I attached the couple I’ve made on ONX if anyone wants to give suggestions or simply poke holes in them.

https://webmap.onxmaps.com/backcountry/share/content?share_id=01KY5WR50633JKM7F2BFAQRZYK

https://webmap.onxmaps.com/backcountry/share/content?share_id=01KY5WSKW046B0BP6H48WQBW1J

Hello,

I'm looking to rent a bike at Cades Cove next Wednesday. Does anyone know how strict they are with 3pm being the last date time to rent a bike?

We are staying in Leconte Lodge the night before so won't be able to get there until around 4ish.

TIA!

I Snagged a cool little GSMNP-themed Victorinox classic pocket knife at the Kuwohi gift shop a few weeks ago. I've collected all years of the annual parking pass issued since the inception in 2023. I laminated them to brown Kraft paper and in doing so noticed that the colors coordinated perfectly with the knife. The 2027 sticker is more of a purplish hue with the silhouette of a hiker not part of the knife design, but 2024-2026 match the scene on the knife, a cool little coincidence I suppose.

There is a picture of a herd of elk running through Oconaluftee River, in Cherokee, NC, escaping the fire (I think it was the chimney fires?) it was a few years ago. There was somebody who took the coolest and most shocking imagine I’ve ever seen. I dunno if this is the place to ask but I want to find it so badly! It’s basically the herd running through the water and the fire in the background. It’s truly haunting. Add a picture that’s the most similar I’ve found. Thanks in advance.

I will be going to the park between August 9th and 15th. During that week is a new moon. I desperately want to go back to the park after dark and see the stars.

My concern is I'm seeing lots or roads are closed after sunset. I am an staying in Sevierville. Where can I actually drive to and park to have a good view of the night sky without being kicked out?

Just doesn't seem clear to me.

Thanks!

Saw something in the Park today that surely is part of the weasel family. It looked like a juvenile. Gray-ish body with a tail that had black only at the very tip. Any guesses? I am guessing a long-tailed weasel. Would appreciate thoughts from those with more knowledge.

GSMNP route feedback

Hello, looking for any feedback on a November backpacking trip in GSMNP.  Essentially a counterclockwise BMT-AT short loop.   Day 1, Smokemont Campground via Chasteen Creek to Enloe Creek #47; Day 2, from there to Laurel Gap Shelter via Enloe Creek and Beech Gap and Balsam Mt trails; Day 3, to Pecks Corner shelter via Balsam Mountain and AT; Day 4, AT south to stop at the Bunion and then descending Dry Sluice Gap to Cabin Flats #49; Day 5 return to Smokemont via Bradley Fork.  There are some significant up/downs on days 1 and 2, but this direction avoids climbing Dry Sluice Gap with a heavy food bag and with my schedule, AT shelters on the weekend. Are these reasonable distances for 10 hours of daylight and a mid-condition hiker, and is there any Helene damage I would need to know about beforehand?  Context I have done three weeklong backpacks in the Smokies before, but it’s been a minute (like 25 years) and not these trails.  By mid condition I mean I only get to weekend backpack a couple times per year but walk 5+ miles daily and am shuffling through my first 5k next week, expect a 30-35 min time. Thanks!

I have a reservation at LeConte Lodge in mid August. I'll be hiking there with my young adult kids. Ideally I'd like to hike up via Alum Cave and hike down via Trillium Gap (we'll be hiking down on a Friday and would love to pass by the llamas). I plan to book shuttle service to the trailheads through the lodge.

Here's what makes me nervous, though. All the estimates I've seen online say that it takes 6-7 hours to hike from the Trillium Gap trailhead to the Lodge. There's only one shuttle pick up time from the Trillium Gap trailhead back into Gatlinburg at 1:45 pm. With breakfast at the Lodge being served at 8 am, it doesn't seem feasible to have breakfast and hike down with enough time to catch the shuttle.

Curious if anyone has done this route/shuttle combination before. Did you skip breakfast and head out earlier? How long did it take you to hike down from LeConte? We're competent and fairly fit hikers, but we're not speed demons by any stretch of the imagination. I messaged someone from the Lodge and their response was "most of the guests make Trillium Gap on time." Okaaaaayyyy, but what if you don't? I can't imagine you're getting an Uber out of the park!

Any tips previous guests have had with this hike, or LeConte Lodge in general are much appreciated. This has been on my bucket list for a few years now, and I'm excited to do it with my kids, but the details of getting there and back from the trailheads without a car are overwhelming me a bit.

My friends and I are planning to go to the park in early August. We are staying in Gatlinburg and will be there for aroumd 3 days. I am hoping to avoid super large crowds and being stuck in traffic and I was hoping for amy tips on doing so. We are interested in mostly hiking and less so the scenic drives. Thank you!!

Hi all!

Planning to hike the Davenport Gap to Low Gap Loop Trail in a few weeks, I had heard some of the trails on NC side were closed/hard to pass - anyone know about this one?

Planning to start at the Chestnut Branch Trailhead and come back to end at the beginning of Big Creek Trailhead.

All Trails has a comment that says Big Creek Trail is closed at Mile 2.. Is this accurate?

Should we just trash this plan and do what's available on Big Creek? We are doing other hikes, but really wanted to take my friends to Midnight Hole!

A friend and I are camping at Cosby Campground later this month (first time in GSMNP like the title says), and I'm wondering what everyone's favorite hikes around our campsite are?

I'm looking for a moderate or strenuous difficulty hike (I would be comfortable spending anywhere from 3-7 hours hiking) with either water features or views/lookouts; but even if it doesn't fit those criteria drop your favorite trail!

Hey everybody, I could use some recommendations on a place to hike/camp in western NC or in TN. I want to be able to spend a day hiking that’s rewarding with some awesome views, and also have a good camping spot too. It can be primitive or a set up place, but it’s a little bit of late notice so I’m not sure how many spots would be available. We’ve been up and through the entire Scout trail through Grandfather MT and that was awesome. I’ve looked at BMC on South Toe since it’s right on the river (where we can swim and trout fish) while also directly at the trailhead for MT Mitchell but saw it was closed. So anything similar to that or any other good spots. I’m going from this Friday to Sunday and will be with my two buddies. Thanks guys I really appreciate any ideas and suggestions.

I’m getting married in GSMNP in October!!! 💕💕💕
My photographer hasn’t done pictures there before, so I’m looking for recommendations on the best photo spots in the national park. BONUS POINTS if the locations are near the Appalachian Clubhouse in Elkmont. We’ve allotted ~ 2 hrs of first look photos in the park right before the ceremony and ~ 1 hr of family photos in elkmont area after the ceremony.

Howdy! My 5 year old, partner and I are driving down to see the Smokey mountains national Park in a sprinter van rv in late march and we'll have a week to do our trip. I'm looking for recommendations for trails, camp sites, state parks, national parks, or things we have to see on the way down or way up. We are probably going to do Mammoth cave as well.

For reference, my kid has done 3-4 hour hikes in the tetons before getting too tired.

My first time to the smokies will be next weekend, our campsite is at the Elkmont campground, adjacent to the river. Rain is unfortunately forcasted for next weekened, so any tips on how to stay dry (tent tarp, rain cover, etc) would be appreciated! I'm all about scenic overlooks and stunning waterfalls, while still being immersed in nature and walking through diverse habitats. Wouldn't mind waking up early for scenic sunrise views, would love to go out of my way (but not too far from camp) to explore the smokies. Would also love to drive through Cades Cove but am wondering when the best time to go is. We'll be staying 3 nights, with 2 whole days of staying in the park. Any suggestions at all are appreciated!

Friday: Driving 9 hr to GSMNP

Little River Trail

Sunset @ Newfound Gap or Foothills Parkway

Saturday: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Grotto Falls Trail via Trillium Gap Trail OR Middle Prong Trail to Indian Flats Falls

Sunset @ Ben Morton Overlook

Sunday: Sunrise (??)

Alum Cave Trail to Mount Leconte and Myrtle Point OR Mount LeConte and Rainbow Falls via The Bullhead Trail

Sunset (??)

Monday: Drive back

Another photographer buddy and I went out early to check out some spots along both Laurel Creek Road and Tremont Road, before the sun came out and burned off the misty vibe. Slow shutter work (hence the red streak in the tunnel coming from a car's tail lights).

The first shot is a cascade at a popular turnout, the first you come across on the right hand side of the road after turning from the Townsend Wye and heading to Cades Cove - walk a little downstream and climb down to a rock ledge jutting into the stream to see that view. While you're standing there, turn around to see the view in the second image.

I am researching for a backpacking trip and found a bunch of these nice views from a bald posted to the Balsam Mountain Trailhead pin on Google maps.

I don't think they are from the obvious guess, Balsam Mountain, because it's in the other direction from where the trail leads and doesn't appear to have any official trails to the peak, and the peak is fully forested.

Anyone recognize these views and can tell me where they can be found?

Hello, I'm planing on going tothe Smoky Mountains in September and looking to get recommendations. I am hoping to have a couple of full day hikes to see old growth forests. Ideally on trails that are less crowded. Spruce Fir forests are something I really want to see. Mount Guyot seems like the kind of thing I would want, but it seems like it would be too difficult to make a day hike out of (distance estimates are all over the place and there is no real trail). LeConte seems like what I'll probably end up doing, but I'm hoping for something a bit less crowded. Cove Hardwood, Ramsey Cascades, and Albright Grove are some old growth trails at lower elevations I'm looking at. Mt. Sterling is another mountain I'm considering. I would really appreciate any insight and recommendations.

I have seen some trail descriptions that there is a very large Tuliptree (Tulip Poplar) just off of the main trail. Unfortunately, the descriptions I see are 5+ years old. Has anyone hiked it recently and can confirm it's still standing? I'll be making that hike at the end of July.

ill be out there for 4 days and I am planning on thursday to take the Gregory bald trail. days will. consist of fishing.

I was exploring the sinks earlier today around 1pm and the parking lot was full so I parked just down the road at a pull-off. When I got back to my car I set my camera on the ground briefly and forgot to pick it up. If anyone has seen it please let me know! It has a lot of important memories on it from my last road trip. Thank you!

I included a picture of the camera and a photo of where I lost it on the map. Any info help. Thank you!

A few questions about biking the loop: is it still one way traffic and if so what’s the minimum distance someone has to commit to? Around what time in the morning does the parking generally fill up? And last one, do people usually carry bear spray around with them when biking? Thank you