Great Smoky Mountains National Park
COMPLIMENTARY $2.95 2017/2018 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • DINING • LODGING TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE
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Blanketed in lush forests and shrouded by mist, the Great Smoky Mountains FUN FACTS Zion National Park beckon visitors to explore the mysteries of Established: The park was created in is the result of erosion, its ancient landscape. Walk in the woods 1934 to protect the last of the southern sedimentary uplift, and and stand beneath towering hemlocks. Appalachian forest, which once covered Stephanie Shinmachi. Feel the cool spray of a waterfall splashing more than 4 million acres, but was vir- against moss-covered boulders. Gaze upon tually eliminated by logging and fire. 8 ⅞ a landscape of gentle blue ridges stretch- Land Area: The park is 521,895 acres. ing to the horizon. Number of Visitors: More than 11 mil- The Cherokee described these moun- lion people visit annually—the highest 8 ⅜ visitation of any national park. tains as shaconage, meaning “blue, like Lowest and Highest Elevations: The smoke.” The bluish mist, which clings lowest elevation in the park is 870 feet 7 ⅜ to the mountainsides and fills the val- at the mouth of Abrams Creek, and the leys, gives the park its name and remains highest is 6,643 feet at the summit of among its most distinctive features. Clingmans Dome. 5 ⅞ Among the oldest mountains in the Plant and Animal Species: The park’s world, the Smokies teem with a wondrous abundance and variety of plant and 5 ⅜ diversity of life. Over 17,000 species of animal life have earned it the U.N. plants and animals have been documented designations of International Biosphere in the park! Punctuating this phenomenal Reserve and World Heritage Site. Sci- 4 ¾ biodiversity is one of the nation’s largest entists estimate up to 50,000 different AD types of plants and animals live in Great collections of historic log buildings. The Smoky Mountains National Park. When homes, schools, mills and churches of the Discover Life in America was founded mountain people are preserved here for in 1998, fewer than 10,000 had been you to discover and enjoy. Experience one identified; however, researchers have of America’s greatest wilderness areas and added more than 18,500 new species discover the heritage of natural and cultural to the park, including over 950 that diversity it preserves for all time. were previously unknown! Sights: Some of the more popular sights include Clingmans Dome, Mount LeConte, the sheer rock pinnacles of Chimney Tops, the 100-foot waterfall Ramsey Cascades, and the scenic and PHOTO historic sites at Cataloochee Valley, Ca- des Cove and Oconaluftee. OP! Hiking and Horseback Riding: Send us your stories and photos and Approximately 800 miles of horse and you could be a part of our guide! hiking trails crisscross the park. Be a part of the Oh,Ranger! world! Camping: The park has 1,008 devel- oped campsites and 100 primitive sites. Join the community at nationalparks.org Caption
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What’s New! 6 American Park Network® publishes OhRanger.com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor Plan Your Visit 8 guides for public lands all across America. American Park Network is an official partner of Park Regulations & Safety 14 the National Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, American Hiking Society and Who’s Who at the Park 16 the Student Conservation Association. Preservation 18 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief MARK J. SAFERSTEIN History & Culture 21 Associate Publisher & Executive Editor Sights To See 25 Savings can take you to sights. Joel S. Saferstein Group Sales & Partnerships Director Centerfold Map Savings can take you to amazing sights. Alex Frenkel amazing EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Gatlinburg, TN 29 Managing Editor: Kate Morgan Editors: Nell Alk, Monette A. Bailey, Cherokee, NC 33 Scott Deckman, Cinnamon Janzer, Julie McCool, Renee Sklarew, Andy M. Smith Proofreader: Shannon Kronstadt Lodging & Dining 35 Graphic Designers: Mario Arce, Dennisse Cruz, Mike Dion, Yamileth Recinos, Tatiana Hurtado Things To Do 38 DIGITAL Technology Managers: Scott Falconer, Josh Eckstein Just for Kids 44
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This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce PEFC/29-31-75 www.pefc.org The publisher of this guide and the advertisers herein are not GET THE APP! geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Park Service. IT’S FREE! DOWNLOAD NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Distribution requests For answers to all your GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; [email protected] questions, go to OhRanger.com Some discounts, coverages, paymenta Berkshire plans Hathaway and features Inc. subsidiary. are not available © 2017 in GEICO all states or all GEICO companies. installation/sponsorship GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO [email protected] PLAN YOUR VISIT WHAT’S NEW! WHY PARKS MATTER
There is nothing so American as our national parks. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt ®
Access to parks is one of the things that’s truly great about life in America. Not just na- tional parks, like FDR stated, but all parks. Parks afford everyone, regardless of race, income, Mark, Joel & Alex – Support parks, stay healthy! social status or age, the opportunity to escape Take a deep breath in a park and you’ll immedi- the concrete jungle and step into the wild. It ately know the value of greenspace. doesn’t matter whether it’s a small step into a Health & Wellness Studies show a high local park or a giant leap into the backcountry. correlation between time spent in parks and The effect is the same. Time in nature feels improved health (and, in my view, happiness). good. Other values that parks bring may be You move more when you’re outside, which de- less obvious. Since we take care of the things creases stress, makes you more fit and reduces we value, I’d like to highlight a few other ben- the risk of many health issues, such as diabetes, efits we all receive from public lands: high blood pressure and heart disease. Exercise Economic Impact America’s federal, state (which parks inspire) also positively impacts your and local parks and public lands generate $200 cholesterol levels. A few years ago, I started bi- billion in annual economic activity and support cycling to work every day. A year later, my over- more than one million jobs! You might help a all cholesterol went down while my HDL—the AD dozen businesses during a weekend hiking trip. “good” cholesterol—went up. The results of Imagine the impact of a week-long national park a small change in your exercise routine can be adventure. Parks raise property values, too! amazing! Parks invite this change. Conservation Trees produce the oxygen The value of parks is undeniable, so follow we need to survive, but did you know that FDR’s lead and support our public lands. It’s they also help save money? It’s estimated that the all-American thing to do. (Congress, take trees in cities save $400 billion in costs to re- note!) You’ll save the country money while im- tain stormwater. A single tree can store 100 proving our nation’s health—and your own, too. gallons or more, which helps keep streets from Not a bad combination! flooding and reduces the need for artificial stor- age facilities. A tree can also absorb as much as three tons of carbon gas during its lifetime. [email protected] Five national parks GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS! One iconic American road trip VisitUtah.com/itineraries Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues, please let us know at [email protected]. ®
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159 W. BROADWAY STE 200 TEL 801 531 0122 SALT LAKE CITY UTAH 84101 FAX 801 531 0123
Client: UOT Publication: American Park Network Magazine Job #: 16-UOT-1731 Road To Mighty Issue: Due to Vendor 4/7 File: 16-UOT-1731 RTM_Brothers_AmericanPark_170407.pdf Bleed: 5.875” w x 8.875” h File Created: 03/27/2017 Trim: 5.375” w x 8.375” h Agency Contact: Robyn Reynolds Live: 4.75” w x 7.375” h Phone: 801-531-0122 Colors: 4C Email: [email protected] PLAN YOUR VISIT PLAN YOURYOUR VISITVISIT
GETTING TO GREAT KY 75 VA
SMOKY MOUNTAINS 81 Nashville 40 The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway runs • 40 NORTH from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia TENNESSEE CAROLINA SEE INSET to the southern entrance of Great Smoky 26 SC Mountains National Park. U.S. 441, known 75 AL GA • in the park as Newfound Gap Road, is a Columbia • Atlanta high mountain road that cuts across the 75 INSET 81 Knoxville ridge near the center of the park, providing • 40 TN 40 129 441 NC Gatlinburg outstanding scenic views. Maryville 321 Townsend• • 75 Great• Smoky Mtns. Car: From the north, take I-40 from Asheville 40 National Park 19 • Knoxville, Tennessee (about 25 miles • Cherokee 26 129 away), to TN 66 at exit 407, then U.S. 441 441 19 South to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Drive two miles south on U.S. 441 to Park Headquar- Air: McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS), the ters and Sugarlands Visitor Center. Traffic nearest major airport to the park, is located along these U.S. Highways is often choked 45 miles west of Gatlinburg, between with holiday and weekend travelers, caus- Knoxville and Alcoa, Tennessee. The Ashe- ing delays of one or more hours. Consider ville Airport is south of Asheville, North using U.S. 321 from I-40 at exits 435 or Carolina, and about 60 miles east of the 440 in Newport to avoid this congestion. park. The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Avia- AD From the south, take U.S. 441 North to tion Center (GKT) is located 12 miles north Cherokee, North Carolina, then drive two of the park in Sevierville, Tennessee and miles north on U.S. 441 to Oconaluftee serves private aircraft. Visitor Center. Bus: There is no public bus service From the west, take U.S. 129 South to the park. However, Rocky Top Tours to Maryville, Tennessee, then take U.S. in Gatlinburg provides bus tours of the 321 North to Townsend, Tennessee, and park and operates shuttle service from then on to the park’s west entrance. Drive McGhee-Tyson and Sevierville Airports to west about seven miles through the park Gatlinburg. to Cades Cove. Train: Amtrak service is not available From the east, take I-40 West from to the area. The nearest rail station is 115 Asheville, North Carolina (about 40 miles miles southeast in Greenville, S.C. away), to U.S. 19, then U.S. 441 to the Pre-Collision1 with Pedestrian 2 park’s southern entrance near Chero- GETTING AROUND THE PARK Detection standard. kee, North Carolina. Or, you may take the Travel through the park by automo- Pedestrians can come out of nowhere. So Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection can help spot them and brake Foothills Parkway from I-40 at exit 443, bile, by bicycle or on foot. The city of for you. It’s just one of the standard Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P)3 features that give you more peace of mind. then U.S. 321 into Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg’s trolley service operates
Options shown. Dramatization. 1. The TSS Pre-Collision System is designed to help avoid or reduce the crash speed and damage in certain frontal collisions only. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness is Park Headquarters and Sugarlands Visitor a daily shuttle, June through October, dependent on road, weather and vehicle conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 2. The Pedestrian Detection system is designed to detect a pedestrian ahead of the vehicle, determine if impact is imminent and help reduce impact speed. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as speed, size and position of pedestrians, and weather, light and road conditions. See Owner’s Center. to three popular locations in the park. The Manual for additional limitations and details. 3. Drivers are responsible for their own safe driving. Always pay attention to your surroundings and drive safely. Depending on the conditions of roads, weather and the vehicle, the system(s) may not work as intended. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. ©2017 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 8 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS |
S A ATCHI & S A ATCHI LOS ANGELES • 3501 SEPULVEDA BLVD . • TORRANCE, CA • 90505 • 310 - 214 - 6000 SIZE: Bleed: 5-7/8" x 8-7/8" Trim: 5-3/8" x 8-3/8" Live: 4-3/4" x 7-3/8" Mechanical is 100% of final BY DATE W/C DATE BY DATE W/C DATE No. of Colors: 4C Type prints: Gutter: LS: Output is 100% of final Project Manager Diversity Review Panel Print Producer Assist. Account Executive CLIENT: TMS Advertising EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTORS: F. Costa Studio Manager Account Executive JOB TITLE: MY17 Prius Print — Cellphone CREATIVE DIRECTOR: R. Braga Production Director Account Supervisor PRODUCT CODE: 120311- PRI ASSC. CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Art Buyer Management Director AD UNIT: 4CPB COPYWRITER: D. Sorgan Proofreading CLIENT Art Director TRACKING NO: 04652 PE ART DIRECTOR: L. Borges Ad Mgr./Administrator •Chief Creative Officer PRODUCTION DATE: March 2017 PRINT PRODUCER: R. Dallas-Noble Ph: 310.214.6233 National Ad Mgr. •Exec. Creative Director MECHANICAL NUMBER: ______STUDIO ARTIST: V. Lee Ph: 310.214.6224 VOG •Creative Director SHOT NO: PRS_MY17_0174_V001 •Assc. Creative Director Corp. Mgr., Mkt. Comm. V.P. Marketing Copywriter •Assc. Creative Director Legal/Product PROOF NUMBER ––––––––––––– SPECIAL INFO: Bill to B1194-006516-00 Product TMS Diversity Binder
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wettest months. Higher elevations in the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS PACKING ESSENTIALS park are cooler. Late spring and early fall at the park’s main southern entrance, two Several tourism information centers Don’t hit the trail without: bring mild days and cool nights, with tem- miles north of Cherokee on Newfound outside the park provide national park in- • Topographic Map & Compass + GPS peratures in the low 70s during the day and Gap Road (U.S. 441). This state-of-the-art formation in partnership with the National • Whistle mid-40s at night. Summers in Great Smoky visitor center provides interactive exhibits Park Service and feature Great Smoky Mountains National Park are warm and hu- and a museum collection of artifacts and Mountains Association-managed book- • Flashlight or Headlamp mid. At lower elevations, high temperatures stories that connect people to the human stores. The Gatlinburg Welcome Cen- • Sunglasses, Sunscreen and Hat range from 55-90ºF. At higher elevations, history of the Smokies. ter is on U.S. 441, better known as “The • High-energy Food & Plenty of Water high temperatures are in the low 50s to the Cades Cove Visitor Center is located Spur,” at the entrance to Gatlinburg, Ten- • Appropriate Clothing & Extra Layers mid-60s. Winter is often cold, dropping be- off U.S. 321, about 12 miles southwest nessee, and the Aquarium Welcome • Waterproof Matches low zero at higher elevations, and occasion- of Townsend, Tennessee. The visitor Center is located in downtown Gatlinburg • Insect Repellent ally snowy. center, which is situated among numer- at traffic light #5. Park information is also • Pocket Knife ous preserved 19th-century farms and available at the Sevierville Visitor Center, • First-Aid Kit PARK VISITOR CENTERS historic buildings, emphasizes the cul- located at 3099 Winfield Dunn Parkway • Sturdy Footwear Three year-round visitor centers and tural history of the Smokies. A book- in Kodak, Tennessee, and the Townsend one seasonal visitor contact station are store and information on programs Visitor Center, located at 7906 East La- service runs between downtown Gatlin- located within the national park. At the and services are provided. There is no mar Alexander Parkway in Townsend, burg and Sugarlands Visitor Center, Lau- two main visitor centers, Sugarlands telephone service. Tennessee. rel Falls Trail and Elkmont Campground at and Oconaluftee, helpful park rangers From April to November, the visitor con- minimal cost to the rider. For more infor- are on hand to answer questions and tact station at the Clingmans Dome trail- SPECIAL SERVICES - mation, please call (800) 588-1817 or visit provide information on roads, weather, head offers park information, a bookstore Park activities and facilities that are fully gatlinburg.com. camping, backcountry conditions, back- and shop and public restrooms. accessible to visitors with disabilities are country camping permits and first aid. HOURS AND ENTRANCE FEES Ranger-guided walks, maps and books are IMPORTANT NUMBERS The park is open daily, year-round. available at all visitor centers. The Sugar- Entrance to the park is free! lands, Oconaluftee and Cades Cove visi- Park Headquarters and General Information nps.gov/grsm or (865) 436-1200 tor centers are all open year-round. The PARK ROADS Clingmans Dome contact station is open Emergencies 911 or (865) 436-1230 Newfound Gap and other roads some- April to November. For more information, Backcountry Reservations (865) 436-1297 times close due to winter storms. Cling- please call the park’s main phone number, mans Dome Road is closed in winter. (865) 436-1200. Special Services - (865) 436-1200 For updated road and weather informa- Sugarlands Visitor Center is located tion, please call (865) 436-1200. Once you near the park’s main northern entrance, Lost and Found (865) 436-1216 hear a voice, dial ext. 631 for road informa- two miles south of Gatlinburg along tion or ext. 630 for a weather forecast. Cur- Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441). This re- Road/Weather Conditions (865) 436-1200 rent road status conditions are also available modeled center offers a free 20-minute In-Park Lodging with Dining at Twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS. orientation film that provides an in-depth LeConte Lodge (865) 429-5704 look at the Smokies and the many recre- Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (865) 436-4178 WEATHER ation opportunities available. Natural his- Always be prepared for changes in tory exhibits include mounted specimens Cherokee Indian Reservation Visitor Center (800) 438-1601 weather by dressing in layers and carrying of park animals in recreations of their habi- rain gear. Rain falls frequently throughout tats and reproductions of journals kept by Sightseeing Tours/Rocky Top Tours (865) 429-8687 the year; March and July are usually the the first park naturalists. -
10 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 11 PLAN YOUR VISIT PLAN YOUR VISIT indicated throughout the guide by the Creek Horse Camp and the group camps Camping and Picnic Supplies: Lim- (828) 488-2155, in Bryson City, North Car- - symbol. at Deep Creek and Cataloochee are also ited picnic and camping supplies are olina, 10 miles southeast of Oconaluftee Services: The park film is equipped for accessible. available at Cades Cove and Elkmont Visitor Center. use by the vision and hearing impaired. Trails: Walks near Cades Cove, campgrounds. You will find a complete se- Postal Services: Park visitor centers Please inquire at the front desk for an as- Oconaluftee and Sugarlands visitor cen- lection at numerous stores in the gateway have mailboxes, but do not sell postage sisted listening device before entering the ters are best suited for wheelchairs. communities near the park. stamps. Post offices are found in gateway theater. Inquire at visitor centers or ranger Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is spe- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: communities. stations for parking permits for visitors cifically designed to accommodate There are electric vehicle charging sta- Religious Services: In the summer, with disabilities. visitors with disabilities. For more in- tions at the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee A Christian Ministry in the National Parks Facilities: The Oconaluftee, Sugarlands formation, see the “Walking & Hik- Visitor Centers. sponsors nondenominational Chris- and Cades Cove visitor centers are wheel- ing” chapter, inquire at visitor centers, Emergencies: In case of an emer- tian worship services on Sundays at chair-accessible and have restrooms that call (865) 436-1200, or consult Access gency, please call 911. For emergency several locations. are wheelchair-accessible. Additional ac- America Guide to the Eastern National messages, please contact the park com- Service Stations: Gas, diesel fuel and cessible restrooms and picnic sites are lo- Parks, available at bookstores. munications office at (865) 436-1230. The repair services are available in Gatlinburg cated at the Chimney Tops, Cosby, Metcalf names of people with emergency mes- at the park’s main northern entrance, in Bottoms, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Deep sages waiting for them are posted at visi- Townsend, Tennessee, and at the park’s Creek and Collins Creek picnic areas. tor centers or campgrounds. main southern entrance in Cherokee, Cades Cove, Elkmont and Smokemont Gift Shops: Postcards, publications, North Carolina. If your car breaks down on campgrounds are wheelchair-accessible. VISITOR SERVICES DVDs and CDs are sold at visitor centers. the road, contact a park ranger or call the Reservations for these sites can be made Many shops selling a variety of gifts, in- park’s dispatch at (865) 436-1230. by calling (877) 444-6777. Level sites— Banking Services: Banks in the gate- cluding native crafts, are found in gateway available first-come, first-served—are lo- way cities of Gatlinburg, Townsend and communities. cated adjacent to accessible restrooms. Cherokee have 24-hour ATMs, foreign Kennels: The nearest kennels There are accessible campsites at Big currency exchange (except Gatlinburg) are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Se- Creek, Cosby and Deep Creek. The Big and other services. vierville, Tennessee; and Cherokee, MORE INFORMATION North Carolina. FEDERAL RECREATION LANDS PASSES Lost and Found: Report lost items and PARK NEWSPAPER turn in found items at visitor centers or The award-winning quarterly park A federal recreation pass is helpful if you plan to visit many national parks, forests or other contact Park Headquarters, Great Smoky newspaper, Smokies Guide, offers cur- federal lands. For information, call (888) 275-8747 or visit store.usgs.gov/pass Mountains National Park, 107 Park Head- rent information about National Park Ser- Type Cost Availability Details quarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; vice naturalist walks, programs and other This one-year pass is available on site, by (865) 436-1216. activities. It is available at park visitor cen- Annual $80 General Public phone or online (see above). New annual Se- Medical Services: First-aid facili- ters and campgrounds. Pass $20 nior Pass coming in 2017 ties are available at Park Headquarters This lifetime pass is available on site or via Senior $10 U.S. residents age 62+ mail order. ID required. Cost of the lifetime and visitor centers. Medical emergency BOOKS AND MAPS Pass Senior Pass will increase to $80 in 2017. services are available at the follow- Great Smoky Mountains Association Military U.S. military members This one-year pass is available on site. ing locations: LeConte Medical Center, sells park-related literature at visitor cen- Free Pass and their dependents ID (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173) required. (865) 446-7000, located on Middle Creek ters in the park and at some welcome Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, 15 miles centers outside the park. Hiking maps, Access U.S. residents with per- This lifetime pass is available on site or via Free Pass manent disabilities mail order. ID and documentation required. north of Gatlinburg; Blount Memorial Hos- USGS topographical maps, guides, books pital, (865) 983-7211, on Highway 321 in and other items are available. To order Volunteer 250 cumulative Inquire locally to obtain informa- Free Maryville, Tennessee, 25 miles north of materials visit smokiesinformation.org or Pass volunteer service hours tion about this one-year pass. Cades Cove; and Swain County Hospital, call (888) 898-9102.
12 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 13 PLAN YOUR VISIT PARK REGULATIONS & SAFETY PARK REGULATIONS & SAFETY and to prevent hypothermia. This potentially
fatal condition occurs when the body loses daveynin heat faster than it can generate it. You can make the most of your visit to run. Instead, slowly back away, always the Smokies by planning ahead and becom- watching the bear. If a bear follows you, ing acquainted with some simple safety pre- change direction or stand your ground. Talk cautions and park rules. loudly or shout at it and make yourself look PARK REGULATIONS as large as possible to try to intimidate the bear. Never turn your back or run away. Help protect the park, and yourself, by ob- To reduce your risk of poison ivy and serving the following NPS regulations: ticks, stay on trails and avoid brushy areas. Alcoholic beverages are permitted only Some of the park’s trails are narrow, or have PARK SAFETY steep drop-offs. Hang on to cables when you Wearing a hat, long pants and a long-sleeved in designated picnic and camping areas. Pos- can, and don’t go off-trail. Please review and observe the following shirt helps considerably. If you think you’ve session of open alcoholic beverages in motor tips, which are designed to enhance your brushed against poison ivy, remove and iso- vehicles is prohibited. down wood found in the park for campfires. safety and enjoyment. late the clothes you wore until you can wash Bicycles, mountain bikes and motor- Cutting trees or branches for firewood is Feeding the bears is illegal! It makes them. Apply insect repellent to ward off cycles are allowed on paved roads and in strictly prohibited. them bold and potentially dangerous. Keep a ticks, and check yourself and your clothes campgrounds, but are prohibited on trails and Fireworks are not allowed in the park. clean camp and deposit garbage in park trash for ticks after hiking. If a tick attaches itself administrative roads behind locked gates. Fishing is allowed within the park from cans or dumpsters. to you, remove it with tweezers and then Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets. sunrise to sunset. A valid Tennessee or Bears cause significant property damage wash the area thoroughly with antiseptic or Skateboarding is prohibited in the park. North Carolina state fishing license is re- every year trying to get food, so be sure to soap and water. Seek medical attention if part Camp in designated areas only. To camp quired and may be purchased at sporting “bearproof” your food, toothpaste and cos- of the tick remains in your skin. Ticks trans- overnight in the backcountry, you must ob- goods stores in gateway communities and at metics. If you are car camping, keep food mit Lyme disease, which is characterized by tain a backcountry permit. Permits are the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at the north stored in the trunk of your car or in a strong skin changes, flu-like symptoms and joint available online at smokiespermits.nps.gov entrance to town. Fishing with any natural food locker. If you must store food in the inflammation. or by contacting the backcountry office. Per- bait is prohibited, so use single-hook artifi- passenger compartment, cover it so that Be careful when walking around mits cost $4 per person per night. cial lures. Before you cast any lines, pick up bears can’t see it; they have learned to iden- streams and waterfalls. Mist and moss Federal law allows people who can legally the Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Regula- tify packaged food. If you are backpacking, make rocks and logs extremely slippery. Stay possess firearms under applicable laws to tions brochure at any visitor center. Check at suspend your food and food garbage on on trails. Don’t drink untreated water, which possess firearms in the park. It is the respon- a ranger station to learn which stream seg- the cable system located at all backcountry may contain impurities and parasites that can sibility of visitors to understand and comply ments will be closed. campsites. Keep your tent, sleeping bag and make you ill. with all applicable state, local and federal fire- Pets must always be leashed. They are al- other gear clean and free of food odor. Food Swimming is not recommended be- arms laws before entering the park. Please lowed along paved roads, in parking lots and storage regulations are strictly enforced at the cause streams contain submerged rocks, visit nps.gov/grsm for more information. in campgrounds accessible to motor vehi- park. logs and debris, and flash floods may occur Hunting is strictly prohibited. cles. Pets are not permitted on trails (excep- If you see a bear or other wildlife, with little or no warning. Beginning in March 2015, only heat- tions: Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River keep your distance. Park regulation pro- Don’t leave valuables in your car. They treated, bundled firewood that displays a Trail), in public buildings or in the backcoun- hibits visitors from approaching, disturbing are an easy target in a locked or unlocked car. USDA or state department of agriculture try. Service animals are allowed throughout or displacing wildlife. Please keep a mini- If you must carry these items with you, place certification stamp may be used in park the park. mum distance of 50 yards. Bears may dis- them in your trunk before you park your car. campgrounds. It is sold in local communities Vandalism, or the removal of rocks, play signs of aggressive behavior such as Storms can take you by surprise and and through concessions at Cades Cove, Elk- plants or any natural feature, is strictly charging, making loud noises or swatting temperatures on the Smokies’ ridges are of- mont and Smokemont campgrounds. Fires prohibited. the ground—all indications of the bear de- ten much cooler than in the valleys. Dress in are allowed in established fire rings or fire- Please don’t feed, approach, chase or ha- manding more space. If this happens, don’t layers and always carry rain gear for comfort places. Campers may also collect dead and rass park wildlife.
14 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 15 PLAN YOUR VISIT WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK WHO’S WHO AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS projects and assists in trail maintenance. THE PARK INSTITUTE AT TREMONT It represents more than 60 volunteer trail The Institute is a nonprofit environ- clubs and 16,000 members. For more in- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) funds staff positions for the park’s library mental education center offering resi- formation, please call (304) 535-6331 or The NPS is the federal custodian of the and archives, sponsors research projects, dential and nonresidential programs visit appalachiantrail.org. park. It preserves the Smokies’ natural hab- purchases items for living history dem- such as photography workshops, wil- itat, which was once heavily farmed and onstrations and funds visitor center ex- derness adventure camps and citizen GATEWAY logged, and maintains the park’s historic hibits. For more information, please call science programs. All programs em- COMMUNITIES man-made features. The NPS also helps (865) 436-7318 or visit smokiesstore.org. phasize exploration and understanding Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s visitors have a more enjoyable stay in the of the park’s natural and cultural re- gateway communities of Gatlinburg, park. Contact the Superintendent at: Great FRIENDS OF GREAT SMOKY sources. Please contact the Institute at Cosby, Pigeon Forge and Townsend in Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK (865) 448-6709 or visit gsmit.org. Tennessee, and Bryson City, Cherokee, Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; This nonprofit organization is dedicated to Maggie Valley and Fontana Dam in North (865) 436-1200, or visit nps.gov/grsm. raising private and corporate contributions to APPALACHIAN TRAIL Carolina, offer lodging, dining and other help the park meet some of its critical fund- CONSERVANCY services and attractions. Innkeepers, res- GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ing needs. The goals include assisting with The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a taurateurs and merchants help make your ASSOCIATION natural and historic resource projects, and private, nonprofit organization dedicated stay in the Smokies comfortable and en- Founded in 1953 and operating book- helping to improve visitor facilities and ser- to maintaining and protecting the Appala- joyable. For more information about local stores both inside and outside the park, vices. For information or to learn how to be- chian Trail, 70 miles of which run through chambers of commerce, visitor bureaus this nonprofit organization produces the come a member, please call (865) 932-4794 the park. The organization publishes infor- or departments of tourism, please see the park newspaper and other publications, or visit friendsofthesmokies.org. mation about the Trail, conducts research “Lodging & Dining” chapter. dconvertini
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16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 17 PLAN YOUR VISIT PRESERVATION
of Europe was inadvertently introduced to sucking the sap from the base of the tree PRESERVATION this country at the turn of the 20th century. needles. The needles become discolored Adelgids drink the Fraser fir’s sap, killing it and drop off, impairing new growth. within six to eight years of initial infestation. The park has a team dedicated to control- The NPS plays a dual role in the pres- with volatile organic compounds in the pres- More than 91 percent of the mature Fraser ling HWA with insecticides and release of ervation of Great Smoky Mountains ence of sunlight, is one of the most serious firs in the park have died since BWA was first tiny predator beetles. The biological control National Park: it preserves both the park’s air pollutants. Ozone concentrations mea- discovered in 1962. insects hold the best hope for long-term natural environment and the historic sured in the park are among the highest in The NPS is actively trying to save the control of HWA at levels that will allow hem- relics of the mountain settlers. the eastern United States. This type of pol- park’s last remnants of fir forest. In 1995, lock trees to survive. Early results of biologi- lution is a powerful respiratory irritant. Dur- 600 Fraser fir seedlings, grown from seeds cal control, including several Asian species SMOKIER SMOKIES ing high ozone-pollution episodes, visitors collected in the park, were planted on a re- of beetles that feed exclusively on HWA, As with all our national parks, Great (especially seniors and children) may wish cent parcel of donated property in North show promise. Smoky Mountains National Park is no longer to refrain from strenuous outdoor activities. Carolina. The planted trees are managed as The “Save Our Hemlocks Action Team” isolated from the outside world. Air pollu- Acid rain results when sulfur and a reservoir of the park's Fraser fir genetic ma- is a group of scientists, land managers and tion, coming from the Southeast and as far nitrogen by-products in the air com- terial, and are doing well. others, organized by the Southern Appala- away as the Midwest, has caused regional bine with water vapor and return to the The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), the chian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB). haze and decreased visibility from the park’s earth as weak acids. The acids damage park’s latest threat, is a tiny insect native to These experts are pooling their resources scenic overlooks. Air pollution is caused sensitive plant foliage and affect the chemi- Asia that was discovered in the park in 2002. to survey and monitor impacts of the ex- by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emis- cal balance of streams and soils. If an im- The HWA has rapidly moved throughout all otic pest, conduct outreach activities and sions from industries and urban centers that balance occurs, living things may fail to areas of the park. Spread by larger insects, look at other possible solutions—biological, are carried on air currents toward the park. reproduce or may die. Air-quality monitor- on the feet of birds, by wind and infested chemical and cultural controls—to reduce Researchers believe the emissions rise at ing data is on display at the Sugarlands and landscape materials, the HWA feeds by the potential disaster comparable to that of night and, mixing with air, settle across the Oconaluftee Visitor Centers. park’s ridges. Visibility has significantly im- proved over the past 15 years due to reduc- IMPERILED FIRS AND HEMLOCKS tions in these harmful emissions. Exotic, or nonnative, species can also Ground-level ozone pollution pro- threaten the native environment. In the case duced by the reaction of nitrogen oxides of the Fraser fir, it’s a tiny insect called the (primarily from automobiles and factories) balsam woolly adelgid (BWA). This native
More than half of the Great See the Smokies Smoky Mountains National Park is in North Carolina and most of Differently that is in Swain County... which Come to Bryson City for a also includes the Cherokee Indian
U.S. Fish & Wildlife different view of the Smokies. Reservation. There’s the view from a rented Above all, you’ll love the small boat on Fontana Lake… from a town charm of Bryson City, a zipline, raft or kayak in the vibrant, laid back and relaxing Nantahala Gorge… from a railcar place to see the Smokies on a Great Smoky Mountains differently. Railroad scenic excursion… or from one of the National Park’s Have a Big Vacation 800 miles of hiking trails. in a Small Town GreatSmokies.com The Travel Guide to Bryson City, Cherokee, Nantahala Gorge, Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains. On your computer. On your smartphone. 800-867-9246 River otters, once totally extirpated from the park, have been reintroduced to the area.
18 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | GSMNP-BrysonCity.indd 1 | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS4/20/17 9:57 AM19 PRESERVATION HISTORY & CULTURE the chestnut blight, which eliminated chest- was extirpated in the park by the 1930s, due HISTORY & CULTURE nut trees from the Eastern U.S. and radically to trapping and habitat destruction. changed the composition of the southern for- Decades of fisheries research and the ests. For information, visit samab.org. success of the park’s brook trout restoration The Great Smoky Mountains are among fields on the Cove Hardwood, Noah efforts have made it possible for visitors to the highest peaks in the Appalachian moun- “Bud” Ogle and Roaring Fork Motor SAVING ANIMALS fish for brook trout, the only native trout tain range, yet they are rounder and lower nature trails. After nearly vanishing from the eastern species in the park. Major population losses in elevation than younger mountain chains The Smokies originally looked more like United States by the mid-1960s as a result associated with logging and non-native such as the Rocky Mountains. How they the Himalayas than the rounded mountains of widespread pesticide use, peregrine fal- fish introductions during the early 1900s came to be this way is a story that began we see today. The relentless erosive force of con reintroduction efforts in the Smokies reduced the original range of brook trout in almost 1 billion years ago. water has sculpted their present-day appear- have resulted in recovery of a small popula- the park by about 70 percent. In 1976, park An ancient sea flooded what is now ance. Water runoff has also helped to carve tion in the park. Thirteen peregrines were management took steps to restore brook the eastern United States, submerging the alternating pattern of V-shaped valleys released in the Greenbrier area of the park trout in selected streams, discontinued the remnants of an old mountain range. and steep ridges. Landslides caused by a tor- from between 1984 and 1986, bit it wasn’t stocking non-native species such as rain- The sea slowly deposited layers of sedi- rential downpour in 1951 created the large until June 1997 that a pair was observed at bow and brown trout, and made it illegal ment onto the ocean floor. The intense V-slash on Mount LeConte, and rock slides the historic nest site on Peregrine Peak and to harvest brook trout. In 2006, brook trout pressure of thousands of feet of sedi- in 1984 briefly closed Newfound Gap Road. produced three young. At least two active fishing and harvest was reopened parkwide. ment compressed these layers into met- As you explore the park, look for ways water peregrine falcon nests are currently known Brook trout have been successfully restored amorphic rock. Almost 300 million years continues to sculpt the land. in the park. to 27 miles of 11 streams and now inhabit ago, the sea added yet another layer of River otters were reintroduced in the about 200 miles of streams—and visitors limestone sediment that was composed HUMAN HISTORY park after a 70-year absence. The animal are again permitted to fish for them. of fossilized marine animals and shells. Evidence of human habitation here The stage was set for the formation of goes back thousands of years. The first the Appalachian Mountains. inhabitants are believed to have been a GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE As a result of the eons-old shifting of the breakaway group of Iroquois, later to be earth’s tectonic plates (large sections of called Cherokee, who had moved south On August 21, millions of people across the earth’s crust), Africa and North America from Iroquoian lands in New England. The the country will witness one of nature’s collided about 250 million years ago. This Cherokee Nation stretched from the Ohio most incredible spectacles: a total eclipse caused the older, underlying layer of meta- River into South Carolina and consisted of the sun. solarseven/iStock morphic rock to tilt upward and slide over of seven clans. The Eastern Band of the An eclipse occurs when the orbit of the the younger limestone rock, slowly creat- Cherokee lived (and continue to live) in moon passes directly between the sun ing a towering mountain range, the Ap- this sacred ancestral home of the Chero- and the earth, completely blocking out the palachians. The older rocks, known as the kee Nation. sun and turning daylight to instant twilight. Ocoee Series, now compose most of the The Cherokee enjoyed a settled, so- Watching this rare celestial event will Great Smoky Mountains. Charlies Bunion, phisticated agriculture-based life. Their be even more fun if you’re watching from viewing the eclipse. Special glasses are Sawteeth and Chimney Tops are dramatic towns of up to 50 log-and-mud huts were one of the National Parks, State Parks or required to prevent damage to your eyes. examples of how the rock layers tilted and grouped around the town square and the National Forests in the “path of totality,” Find more information about viewing buckled to form steep cliffs and pinnacles. Council House, a large, seven-sided (for which stretches across the country from locations and eye safety on the websites In Cades Cove, erosion of the overlying the seven clans), dome-shaped building the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. of parks in the eclipse path. For more metamorphic rock reveals the limestone where public meetings and religious cer- Nearly every person in the U.S. lives information about the eclipse, online tele- layer beneath. emonies were held. The Cherokee first within a day’s drive of the eclipse’s path. scopes and an eclipse livestream, check During the ice ages, massive boulders encountered Europeans in 1540, when It’s important to take precautions before out slooh.com. were created by alternating freezing and Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led thawing of the rock. You can see boulder an expedition through Cherokee territory.
20 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 21 HISTORY & CULTURE
JOHN WALKER Let Great Smoky Mountains John Walker (1841–1921), of Wears Valley, along with his NPS wife, Margaret Jane, lived in Little Greenbrier Cove with their Association Be Your Guide 11 children and prided themselves on their self-sufficiency. Margaret Jane was an “herb doctor” and a midwife; John was a blacksmith, carpenter, miller and farmer. To accom- modate his large family, Walker built a cabin and placed it ad- jacent to an original structure built by his father-in-law, Wiley King. Walker’s cabin eventually passed to five of his daugh- ters—Margaret Jane, Polly, Louisa, Hettie and Martha—who had never married. In the 1930s, the commission responsible for acquiring land for Great Smoky Mountains National Park unsuccess- fully attempted to persuade the Walker sisters to sell the homestead. To avoid negative publicity, the commission finally opted not to force the Walkers off via eminent domain. The Walker sisters eventually sold the farm in 1941 in exchange for a lifetime lease. A local legend claims the sisters were paid a visit by President Franklin Roosevelt, who convinced them to sell the land.
In the late 18th century, Scotch-Irish, relocation of all native peoples east of the German, English and other settlers ar- Mississippi River to Indian Territory, now rived in significant numbers. The Chero- Oklahoma. The Cherokee appealed their kee were friendly at first, but fought with case to the Supreme Court and Chief Jus- settlers when provoked. They battled Car- tice Marshall ruled in their favor. President olina settlers in the 1760s but eventually Jackson, however, disregarded the Su- withdrew to the Blue Ridge Mountains. preme Court decree in the one instance To come to terms with the powerful new- in American history when a U.S. president comers, the Cherokee Nation attempted overtly ignored a Supreme Court decision. to make treaties and to adapt to European In 1838, the U.S. government forced customs. They adopted a written legal code some 13,000 Cherokee to march to in 1808 and instituted a supreme court two Oklahoma along what has become known years later. Sequoyah, a Cherokee silver- as the Trail of Tears. About one-third of smith, created an alphabet for the Cherokee the Cherokee died en route due to mal- language and in the space of two years, nutrition and disease. Altogether, about nearly all of his people could read and write 100,000 natives, including Cherokee, the language. Seminole, Chickasaw and Choctaw sur- But theirs was a losing cause. The vived the journey. discovery of gold in northern Georgia A handful of Cherokee disobeyed the gov- in 1828 sounded the death knell for the ernment edict, however. Hiding out in the Cherokee Nation. hills between Clingmans Dome and Mount In 1830, President Andrew Jackson Guyot, they managed to survive. In 1889, Assisting Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1953. signed the Removal Act, calling for the the 56,000-acre Qualla Indian Reservation www.SmokiesInformation.org 22 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | HISTORY & CULTURE PLAN YOUR VISIT was chartered with a population of about ple returned to farming while others left to SIGHTS TO SEE 1,000 people. Approximately 10,500 of seek jobs in mines, textile mills and automo- their descendants now live on the reser- bile factories. vation, which is located along the park’s Steeped in history and blessed with natu- the Great Smoky Mountains now offers a southern boundary. NATIONAL PARK STATUS ral beauty, the Smokies provide visitors with safer and more enjoyable opportunity to Like the Cherokee, pioneers who settled In 1904, a librarian from St. Louis rich sights, from historic log cabins to pri- reach unparalleled views. in the Smokies in the 18th and 19th centu- named Horace Kephart came to the meval forests and misty vistas of seemingly ries coveted the fertile valleys. Land soon Smokies for a respite to restore his health. endless ridgelines. Listed below is a sam- ANDREWS BALD became scarce. Later arrivals made their Kephart found that large-scale logging pling of the best the Smokies have to offer. Balds are open, unforested fields on homesteads along steep slopes. was decimating the land and disrupt- mountain ridges. Naturalists can’t explain Logging began slowly, but by the time ing the lives of the people. As the years exactly why they occur, but overgrazing it ran its course, it had radically changed progressed, he promoted preserving the or repeated fires set by humans may have the land and the life of the people. Tim- Smokies as a national park. In the 1920s, caused them. Andrews Bald is the easi- ber, of course, was vital to the early pio- prominent Knoxville residents took up the CENTRAL SECTION est of the park balds to reach, located 1.8 neers. They used it for homes, furniture, cause and formed a citizens’ organization. miles south of Clingmans Dome by hiking fences and fuel. They only began cutting it The NPS was looking for park sites in the The following locations are accessible trail. Grass and flowering shrubs are the for cash in the mid-19th century. This had East after having established parks in the from Newfound Gap Road. dominant ground cover and the views from little noticeable effect on the forest, how- West. Founded in 1916, the young agency the field make it an inviting picnic spot. ever, because men and animals could only hoped to generate further public support ALUM CAVE BLUFFS carry so much. for national parks with a park closer to the The 100-foot-high Alum Cave Bluffs were CHARLIES BUNION Not so by the turn of the century. Tech- majority of the nation’s population. Along supposedly a source of saltpeter for Civil War A forest fire in 1925 swept clear the nological advances and the eastern United with private efforts, the NPS promoted the gunpowder. The bluffs were also the site of 1,000-foot-high cliff known as “Charlies States’ need for lumber nearly eliminated idea of a national park in the Smokies. a 19th-century alum mine. Alum is a com- Bunion,” leaving it a rocky prominence all the southern Appalachian forests. Rail- The states of Tennessee and North Caro- pound sulfate used in munitions manufactur- that now offers sweeping views of Mount roads were the key to large-scale logging lina and countless citizens responded by ing, in medicines and in setting cloth dyes. LeConte and the Greenbrier area. Charlies operations and railroad tracks reaching giving millions of dollars to purchase park- The bluffs are now a popular destination for Bunion is a popular destination for day hik- deep into the mountains made timber land. The federal government was reluctant day hikers. Alum Cave Bluffs Trail begins at ers who want to travel just a small portion readily available. Steam-powered equip- to buy land for parks; national parks in the Newfound Gap Road between the New- of the Appalachian Trail. Start at Newfound ment like skidders and log loaders also West had been formed from land it had al- found Gap and Chimney Tops overlooks. The Gap and follow the crest east for four miles. contributed to cost-effective tree removal. ready owned. Eventually, it did contribute trail is somewhat strenuous at the end (it Return the same way for an eight-mile hike. Some 15 company towns and nearly as $2 million. Coupled with John D. Rock- rises 1,360 feet above Newfound Gap Road), many sawmills were constructed in what efeller, Jr.’s donation of $5 million, the NPS and at times hikers must grip trailside cables CHEROKEE ORCHARD is now the park. Mountain people who had reached its goal. to traverse cliffs. The trail is 2.5 miles to the ROAD AND ROARING FORK once plowed fields and slopped hogs began Lumber companies were bought out in Bluffs and five miles to Mount LeConte and MOTOR NATURE TRAIL to cut trees and saw logs for a living, aban- agreements that phased out operations goes through Arch Rock, which contains a Along these roads are a collection of his- doning their farms. They were attracted to over several years and some people liv- tunnel created by erosion. torical sites including the remains of a home- logging by the promise of security and the ing within the proposed park boundaries After two years of difficult construction, stead owned by the Ogle family who lived stability of a steady paycheck. were allowed lifetime residency rights. the fully restored Alum Cave Trail reopened here after the Civil War. There are also log Their security was short-lived, however. Most people moved, and consequently to hikers. The restoration project involved cabins and a cemetery in Roaring Fork; they By the 1930s, the lumber companies had were paid more for their land. On June 15, smoothing and widening portions of the are the remains of a village that supported logged all but the most inaccessible areas 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National trail, making steps less steep, improving some two dozen families about 150 years and were casting their sights to richer pick- Park was officially established, preserving bridges and freshening old life-lines along ago. The sites are located just southeast of ings out West. Some of the mountain peo- the land for generations to come. the cliffs. One of the most popular trails in Gatlinburg and are accessible to automobiles
24 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 25 SIGHTS TO SEE SIGHTS TO SEE
via the paved Roaring Fork Motor Nature Clingmans Dome Road to the parking lot. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ELK! Trail (closed in winter). The road is impass- Reaching the platform requires a steep, able to trailers and recreational vehicles. half-mile walk on a paved trail. Clingmans Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian Dome Road is closed from approximately Mountains, but were extirpated from the CHIMNEY TOPS December to April. region by over-hunting and habitat loss. The Heald Chris Chimney Tops are sheer pinnacles, dra- last elk in the area are believed to have been matic examples of the tremendous forces MINGUS MILL killed by the mid-1800s. By 1900, alarmed that, millions of years ago, caused the east- Located north of the Oconaluftee Visi- by the decrease of population of elk in North ern edge of North America to buckle, cre- tor Center on Newfound Gap Road, Min- America, hunting groups and other conserva- ating the Appalachian Mountains. You can gus Mill is one of two water-powered mills tion organizations became concerned the see the twin summits from the Chimney still operating in the park. From mid-March species was headed for extinction. The park Tops Overlooks, located along Newfound through mid-November, a miller grinds corn reintroduced elk to the park in 2001 and the There are large numbers of elk in the Gap Road, or hike to the cliffs on a steep, and wheat to make cornmeal and flour. - heard has grown to at least 130 animals. Southeastern section of Great Smoky four-mile round-trip trail. Mountains National Park. MOUNT LECONTE ELK FACTS CLINGMANS DOME Hikers and backpackers often gather Bulls weigh 800-900 pounds and have for close-up views. It is unlawful to approach At 6,643 feet in elevation, Clingmans at dawn or at sunset at Mount LeConte, antlers as wide as five feet, while cows elk. Approaching wildlife causes undue Dome is the highest spot in the Smokies the third-highest peak in the park, for one average 600 pounds. Adults are 7 to 10 feet stress, forcing them to expend crucial energy and a natural magnet for visitors. A for- of the Smokies’ most powerful wilder- long from nose to tail and stand 4.5 to 5 unnecessarily and can result in real harm. If a est of spruce and fir trees covers the top, ness experiences. The 6,593-foot-high feet tall at the shoulder. Cows usually give nearby animal stops feeding, changes direc- but an observation platform rises above mountain offers its best views from two birth to only one calf annually beginning in tion of travel, or otherwise alters its behavior, the evergreens to provide an unparal- outcroppings on the summit, Myrtle Point the second autumn of their lives. Newborns you are too close! leled view of the park. From Newfound and Cliff Top. To summit Mount LeConte, weigh about 35 pounds and can stand within Gap, drive seven miles southwest on take one of five hiking trails: Boulevard minutes of birth. Elk graze on grasses, forbs WARNING! and acorns; and browse bark, leaves and Elk are the largest animals in the park and buds from shrubs and trees. In the Smokies, they can be dangerous. Cows will defend
daveynin coyotes, bobcats and black bears may kill their calves and they’ve been known to young, sick or injured elk. Those that survive charge people in the park. Bull elk may per- these threats can live as long as 20 years, ceive people as a challenge to their territory though 15 is more typical. and may charge, too, especially during the breeding season. Always keep your distance VIEWING ELK and never touch or move elk calves. Though The best elk viewing opportunities are in they may appear to be orphaned, it is likely Cataloochee during early morning or late that their mother is nearby feeding. evening, as well as during the breeding The use of spotlights, elk bugles and season, known as “the rut,” which occurs other wildlife calls are illegal in the national in the fall. The rut is a fascinating mating park. It is also illegal to remove elk antlers ritual when the bulls bugle and compete for or other elk parts from the park. Never feed dominance to attract cows. Elk are also ac- elk or other wildlife or bait them in for closer tive on cloudy summer days and before or observation. Feeding park wildlife is strictly after storms. They are best viewed at a dis- forbidden by law and almost always leads to tance, using binoculars or a spotting scope the animal’s demise. The John B. Cable grist mill is preserved for visitors to learn about park history.
26 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 27 SIGHTS TO SEE PLAN YOUR VISIT
Trail via the Appalachian Trail at New- of log cabins, churches and other buildings. GATLINBURG, TN found Gap, 16 miles round-trip; Alum Cable Mill, near Cades Cove Visitor Center, Cave Trail at the Alum Cave parking lot is an operating water-powered gristmill. on Newfound Gap Road, 11 miles round- The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11- As one of Great Smoky Mountains LODGING trip; Rainbow Falls Trail or Trillium Gap, mile, one-way road that passes by 19 tour National Park’s principal gateway commu- Gatlinburg offers accommodations to each 13.4 miles round-trip; or Bull Head, stops. The stops are marked by numbered nities, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hosts many suit everyone’s taste and budget. There 14.4 miles round-trip from Cherokee Or- posts and are keyed to a pamphlet you can of the park’s millions of annual visitors. are more than 60 hotels and motels; chard. LeConte Lodge is located in the obtain at the beginning of the road or at vis- It is located on U.S. 441 on the park’s 1,500 chalets, condominiums and cabins trees not far from the summit. itor centers. The road is a favorite with cy- northern border, just two miles north of operated by 60 rental companies; nine clists because it is closed to motor vehicles the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The city of- bed and breakfasts, inns and lodges; and MOUNTAIN FARM MUSEUM on Saturdays and Wednesdays from dawn fers lodging, dining, shopping and other two private campgrounds. Book early, es- Settled around 1800, Oconaluftee is to 10 a.m., early May through late Septem- services to make your stay convenient pecially if you’re visiting during the sum- now home to Mountain Farm Museum, ber. It is crowded during peak periods so and comfortable. mer, over the weekend or during holiday which replicates a late 19th-century farm, expect delays. Cades Cove can be reached Gatlinburg continues to recover from periods. For more information, please including a house, barn, corncrib, sor- via U.S. 321 near Townsend, TN as well as a devastating fire in late 2016 which contact the Gatlinburg Convention and ghum molasses mill and blacksmith shop. via Little River Road from Sugarlands Visi- claimed 11 lives and destroyed over 2,000 Visitors Bureau at (865) 436-4178 or From the spring through October, there tor Center. buildings. Fortunately, Gatlinburg’s busi- gatlinburg.com. are costumed interpretive demonstra- Living history demonstrations, held ness core and most hotels and restau- tions. The Mountain Farm Museum is lo- from spring through fall, include the making rants were not affected, and the town is DINING cated a short walk from the Oconaluftee of molasses, soap and apple butter. ready to welcome guests in 2017. More than 80 restaurants serve old Visitor Center. Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park has set up two drive-up dona- NEWFOUND GAP tion collection boxes along the Loop Road. Figuratively, and almost literally the Donations go to visitor facility improvements, center of the park, Newfound Gap is the natural and cultural resource preservation, cut through the crest of the Great Smoky educational programs and visitor services. Mountains. It is almost halfway between Sugarlands and Oconaluftee, along New- found Gap Road. The Tennessee–North
Carolina border crosses Newfound Gap Tourism of Department Gatlinburg east-to-west, as does the Appalachian EASTERN SECTION Trail. At 5,046 feet, it offers fine views of the park. CATALOOCHEE VALLEY Smaller and less visited than areas to the west, this lowland valley was once a choice site for farmsteads and became the largest settlement in the Smokies. Only a few of WESTERN SECTION the nearly 200 buildings that were here at the turn of the 20th century remain. Farm- CADES COVE houses, barns, a schoolhouse and a church In the isolated valley of Cades Cove, are located in the valley. An unpaved steep first settled by Europeans in 1819, the NPS and narrow road at the junction of I-40 and Gatlinburg’s Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is the largest group maintains a historical and cultural preserve U.S. 276 leads to Cataloochee Valley. of independent artisans in North America.
28 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 29 GATLINBURG, TN GATLINBURG, TN down-home Southern cooking featur- Gatlinburg to the top of Mt. Harrison. You A HISTORY OF CRAFTS AND ARTS ing local specialties such as country ham can also see a live performance at Sweet and red-eye gravy, southern fried chicken, Fanny Adams Theatre, replete with slap- fresh mountain trout, and biscuits and stick vaudevillian comedy. gravy, as well as gourmet dinners, sea- food, prime rib and wild game. Dress up PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION if you like, but dining in Gatlinburg is a ca- Convenient trolley service travels sual affair. throughout Gatlinburg and to the park's Sugarlands Visitor Center, Laurel Falls SHOPPING trailhead and Elkmont Campground. Of Gatlinburg has more than 500 gift and particular value is the All Day Trolley Pass specialty shops. Handcrafted leather that provides unlimited ridership on city
goods, wood carvings, baskets, quilts, routes at only $2 per day Clockwise Gatlinburg Britten; W. Left: rom CVB jams and jellies, homemade fudge and candies, jewelry, custom glassware and SPECIAL EVENTS YEAR-ROUND furniture, antiques and pottery are widely No matter what season you choose to available. Of particular note, Gatlinburg is visit Gatlinburg, chances are there will home to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts be something going on during your stay. Trail, the largest gathering of indepen- Here is an overview of the calendar of dent artisans in North America. Located events for the 2017 season. The Appalachian region has a long craft tradition that is brought to life at live demonstrations in both Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. on an eight-mile loop only three miles The 67th Annual Spring Wildflower from downtown Gatlinburg on East Park- Pilgrimage held from April 11 to 15, The strong crafts tradition in the Smok- sustaining the crafts tradition in the south- way (U.S. 321-N), the Arts & Crafts Trail 2017 boasts over 170 programs, includ- ies produced many fine handcrafted eastern United States. Founded in 1912, features over 120 shops, studios and gal- ing hiking tours, motorcades, demonstra- items. Long after most people along the the school has developed into a leader of leries for those who are interested in col- tions and classroom lectures centered Eastern Seaboard lived in a cash economy, arts and crafts education; 2,000 students lecting one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork on the flowers and plants of the national the mountain people still spun thread from from the United States and abroad attend and crafts. park. sheep shearings, built furniture from for- annually. On the evening of July 3, 2017, tens est hardwoods and made baskets styled Another place to admire and buy lo- ENTERTAINMENT of thousands of people gather for Gatlin- after those made by the Cherokee people, cal crafts is the Great Smoky Arts and their predecessors in the region. Crafts Community, the largest group of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies burg’s Fourth of July Midnight Parade. Besides Cherokee-style baskets, most independent artisans in North America. features more than 1.3 million gallons Distinguished as the first Independence Southeastern crafts have been inspired The eight-mile loop road at East Parkway of salt water and is home to thousands Day parade in the country, it starts at the by British designs. A large percentage of (U.S. 321N), is three miles from downtown of rare and exotic fish including 12-foot stroke of midnight. The event’s festivities these mountain settlers emigrated from Gatlinburg. sharks and other aquatic wildlife. Its Pen- conclude with a downtown fireworks ex- Britain or New England. Established in 1937, this community of guin Playhouse, a permanent exhibit of travaganza the night of the Fourth Appalachian crafts include rocking and artisans whittle, paint, sew, cast, weave African black-footed penguins, provides At the Craftsmen’s Fair on July 14-23 cane chairs, cornshuck dolls and hand- and carve to create original collectables an additional interactive offering to aquar- and October 5-22, you’ll find the best in carved wood sculptures. Spindle-carved such as candles, baskets, quilts, booms, ium visitors. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Re- art, crafts and music with over 200 ex- furniture is also popular, as are woven chairs, pottery, jewelry, leather prod- sort and Amusement Park offers winter hibitors from across the country! items such as napkins, jackets, scarves ucts fine photography and art, oils and skiing,snowboarding and tubing, year- The Smoky Mountains Songwrit- and blankets. watercolors. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, For event information, please call the round indoor ice skating and America’s ers Festival celebrates the area’s Appa- located in downtown Gatlinburg on The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau largest tram, a 120-passenger aerial lachian musical roots from August 16-20 Parkway (U.S. 441), is a major force in at (865) 436-4178 or visit gatlinburg.com. tram that whisks you from downtown with entertainment, song competition,
30 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 31 GATLINBURG, TN PLAN YOUR VISIT workshops, mentoring sessions and stage Show from the top of the 400-foot-tall CHEROKEE, NC spots. The SMSWF promotes songwriters Gatlinburg Space Needle. and entertains music fans. A variety of events are already planned If you love good food, don’t miss the for 2018. Celebrate spring in Gatlinburg In Cherokee, there’s too much to do in OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Taste of Autumn in September, featur- at the Smoky Mountain Springfest, from one day. So try two. A culture, a people, Having Great Smoky Mountains National ing menu favorites from the city’s finest March through early-June, when Gatlin- and a place that’s actually a sovereign Park at your doorstep means heaven for out- restaurants at the Gatlinburg Convention burg blossoms with Mandevillas, Bougain- nation, Cherokee is located right in the doorsy folk like you. The Cherokee people Center. villeas, Lantanas, Scaveolas and Wave heart of Western North Carolina. It’s also treat their environment with great care and Celebrate Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlin- Petunias. base camp for hiking in the Great Smok- respect in order to eat well and stay in har- burg September 22 to October 29, 2017. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Com- ies, arts and crafts shopping, elk viewing mony with nature. Consider that over 800 The festival features Bavarian-style food, munity Craft Show, held at the Gatlinburg and hours of fishing fun, and it’s home to miles of the best hiking trails east of the beverages, music and live entertainment Convention Center the weekend prior to a history that spans millennia. Each place Mississippi are located here. during daily shows all month long. Easter, features local artisans’ demonstra- you visit pulses with the stories and sig- On November 9, Gatlinburg kicks off tions, displays and sales. nificance of a people whose roots run “UNTO THESE HILLS” one of the largest holiday lighting festivals deep and whose ancient wisdom is fas- A spectacular reimagining of the Chero- in the country during the Winter Magic GUIDE SERVICES cinating to uncover. How will Cherokee kee story, “Unto These Hills” is an out- Kick-Off and Chili Cook-Off. Smoky Mountain Angler offers full- affect you? door drama that portrays the gripping The Winter Magic Celebration runs or half-day group and personally guided legacy of the Cherokee people through from November 8 through January 31, fishing trips, including waders, rods and THE MUSEUM OF THE the zenith of their power, through the 2017, with millions of twinkling LED lights, license; call (865) 436-8746 for more CHEROKEE INDIAN illuminated street chandeliers and displays information. A Walk in the Woods fea- Inspired by the beauty and ingenu- up to 40 feet tall. tures guided day hikes, nature walks and ity of the Cherokees, this museum is a On November 11, honor Veterans Day backpacking trips; call (865) 436-8283 for cultural and historical tour without equal. in Gatlinburg. A salute to the men and more information. Nantahala Outdoor Hear the whir of the arrow and feel the women of America who have served in Center’s Great Outpost, immediately vibrations of the drums amid spectacu- our Armed Forces will take place in a spe- adjacent to the park’s Gatlinburg en- lar exhibits. Step through the doors and cial ceremony on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza. trance, features outdoor gear and guide discover up close the Cherokee people’s The program includes stirring musical trib- services for hiking, trout fishing and spirit of inventiveness and resilience, and utes, ceremonial speeches and recogni- rafting; call (865) 277-8209 for more their will to survive. tion of Veterans in attendance. information. Shop early for a one-of-a-kind Christ- OCONALUFTEE INDIAN VILLAGE mas present during the Great Smoky VISITOR SERVICES As you step onto the soft trails of the Arts & Crafts Community Holiday There are seven banks with 24-hour village, you’re immediately transported Craft Show at the Gatlinburg Convention ATMs, several service stations, grocery to the 1760s. The faint tang of wood Center, November 27-December 3. stores, liquor stores and drug stores. smoke wafts by as a Cherokee cul- Gatlinburg’s 40th Annual Fantasy of Please call 911 for ambulance service. tural expert leads you on an interactive Lights Christmas Parade on December journey through ancient and authentic 3, when Santa comes to Gatlinburg is one FOR MORE INFORMATION Cherokee lifestyle and history. Speak of the most cheerful and exciting holiday For brochures and additional in- with villagers as they hull canoes, offer Christmas parades in the country! formation, please call the Gatlinburg blowgun demonstrations, sculpt pottery Kick off the new year in style! Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at and masks, weave baskets, and fashion celebrates Auld Lang Syne with a New (865) 436-4178; visit gatlinburg.com or beadwork. Watch as a village prepares Discover the authentic history and culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks download the Gatlinburg app. for war.
32 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 33 CHEROKEE, NC PLAN YOUR VISIT heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, and fi- design enveloped in dramatic mountain LODGING & DINING nally ending in the present day, where the beauty. With 6,600 yards of rolling fairways Cherokee people continue to rewrite their and fun, playable tees for all skill levels, it’s place in the world. little wonder Sequoyah was named Golf A variety of lodging and dining options are Guests stay in rough-hewn private Magazine’s #2 “Best New Course You Can available to visitors, from one hike-in lodge cabins or private rooms in cabins with FISHING IN CHEROKEE Play” of 2009. in the park to a variety of hotels, motels and shared living rooms. LeConte Lodge can Today is your day, proud angler—30 cabins in nearby towns. accommodate up to 50 guests. Cabins miles of streams, arguably the longest SPECIAL EVENTS are supplied with kerosene lamps, heat- stretch of managed fishing waters in the Make a special event the foundation of ers, sheets and wool blankets. Four eastern US, stocked with trout: rainbow, your vacation. Festivals, fairs and other flush toilets are located in outhouses. brook, golden, and brown. You will dis- cultural events abound throughout the Indoor plumbing, electricity, television cover thousands of new favorite fishing spring, summer and fall. All provide an IN THE PARK and telephones are not available. Lodg- spots in Cherokee, all collected into one easy opportunity to absorb some Chero- ing prices include meals. Breakfast and amazingly beautiful place. kee culture through dance, food, craft mak- LECONTE LODGE dinner are served family-style in the ing and more. For a full list of events, go to For a taste of the pioneer life, stay at lodge dining room. Guests who stay QUALLA ARTS & CRAFTS visitcherokeenc.com. LeConte Lodge, a rustic collection of cabins more than one night also get lunch. Day MUTUAL, INC. The Cherokee Voices Festival, hosted on located in the forest near the top of Mount hikers and backpackers can purchase As you walk in, you note the smooth the grounds of the Museum of The Chero- LeConte. It’s a hikers-only affair because it a prepared bag or dining room lunch wood of the dramatic masks used in tra- kee Indian in June is all things Cherokee: can only be reached by taking one of five (reservations required), snacks and ditional dance rituals or the cool clay of living history, traditional dances, music, hiking trails that lead to Mount LeConte, beverages at the lodge. the wedding jugs. singing, crafting demonstrations and food. the shortest and steepest being Alum Cave The lodge is open late March to mid- Founded in 1946 with the purpose of The Cherokee Indian Fair, which takes Trail, a 5.5-mile hike. Gatlinburg mountain- November. To make reservations for preserving and advancing Cherokee arts place in October, has been taking place for eer Jack Huff built the lodge as a retreat in the upcoming year, contact the lodge to and crafts, Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, over a century. It’s a cornucopia of sights 1926. He and his wife, Pauline, operated the be entered in a lottery, which takes place Inc. is the oldest and foremost Native and sounds, and a treat for the senses, lodge until 1960. The present concessioner each fall. Call (865) 429-5704 or visit American arts cooperative in the United with food, music and rides. is Stokely Hospitality Enterprises. lecontelodge.com for more information. States. Here, thousands of authentic treasures wait to go home with you. LODGING, DINING & TRANSPORTATION HARRAH’S CHEROKEE Cherokee offers accommodations to suit
CASINO RESORT everyone’s taste and budget, with a great Lodge LeConte Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is selection of hotels, motels, rental cabins and home to a 21-story, four-star luxury hotel cottages, and more than 15 campground. nestled in the beautiful mountains of West- Cherokee operates two downtown ern North Carolina. Guests have access to shuttle routes Monday through Saturday, an arcade, indoor pool workout room, and with stops every 30 minutes. several delicious restaurants. And the Man- dara Spa brings casino guests the highest FOR MORE INFORMATION quality of therapeutic luxury. Contact the Cherokee Welcome Center at (800) 438-1601 or visitcherokeenc.com SEQUOYAH NATIONAL GOLF CLUB for more information on cultural events Your Sequoyah National Golf Club expe- and attractions, group rates and value rience begins with a Robert Trent Jones II packages. The LeConte Lodge can only be accessed by hikers. No roads lead to the summit of Mount LeConte.
34 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 35 LODGING & DINING LODGING & DINING
The warm weather fun continues Townsend’s excellent restaurants of- Townsend has many craft shops fea- through October when glorious fall fo- fer varied menus, some of which special- turing Appalachian art. Most shops carry FUN FACTS liage adorns the city of Pigeon Forge. ize in regional dishes such as Tennessee the works of hometown and regional Fall also brings several arts and crafts country ham. Many restaurants will pre- artists. See the chart in this chapter for Q. ARE THERE LODGES festivals, two of which are nationally pare box lunches that are perfect for a pic- contact information. LOCATED WITHIN acclaimed. nic in the Smokies. THE PARK? If you arrive between November and A. The only lodge located February, you will be greeted by 5 million in the park is the LeConte twinkling lights—part of the annual Win- NEARBY COMMUNITIES: LODGING & DINING CONTACTS Lodge, located on one terfest celebration. Live entertainment Accommodations and restaurants are available in nearby communities. Contact the local of the park’s highest peaks at an and traditional holiday festivities take visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce or departments of tourism below for more infor- elevation of 6,593 feet. It’s accessible place in November and December, while mation. See the “Plan Your Visit” chapter for a regional map and directions. only by hiking; reservations are January and February feature dozens of required and can be made by calling Cherokee, North Carolina (800) 438-1601 special events like a storytelling festival. (865) 429-5704. Communities Adjacent to the park on U.S. 441 at the park’s visitcherokeenc.com Wilderness Wildlife Week is in May. near the park offer a variety of southentrance. See the “Cherokee” chapter for Year-round, Pigeon Forge is a prime accommodations. more information. destination for outlet aficionados, boast- Gatlinburg, Tennessee (865) 436-4178 ing more than 200 factory outlet stores For answers to all your questions, Adjacent to the park on U.S. 441 near the park’s gatlinburg.com as well as specialty and craft villages. go to OhRanger.com north entrance. See the “Gatlinburg” chapter for See the chart in this chapter for contact more information. information. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (800) 251-9100 On U.S. 441 near the park’s north entrance mypigeonforge.com TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE In the early 1890s, this little moun- Townsend, Tennessee (800) 525-6834 On U.S. 321 near the park’s west entrance smokymountains.org tain village was the capital of the lumber NEAR THE PARK industry in the eastern United States. To- Bryson City, North Carolina (800) 867-9246 day, the commerce of sawmills and rail- Off U.S. 74 near the park’s south entrance greatsmokies.com Accommodations and restaurants are road cars has been replaced by a thriving Fontana Dam, North Carolina (800) 470-3790 available in many communities near the tourist trade. Townsend has become a On Highway 28 on the park’s southern boundary grahamcountytravel.com park. For a more complete list of nearby peaceful vacation spot for travelers who Maggie Valley, North Carolina (800) 624-4431 towns, see the chart in this chapter. want it all—comfort, good food, affordable Off U.S. 19, southeast of the park maggievalley.org prices and easy access to the park. Sevierville, Tennessee (865) 453 - 6411 PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE Townsend’s accommodations in- On U.S. 441 near the park’s north entrance visitsevierville.com Nestled alongside the Great Smoky clude modern motels, amenity-filled Jefferson County, Tennessee (877) 237-3847 Mountains, Pigeon Forge is located near log cabins and campgrounds. You can On 1-40 and I-81 near the park’s north entrance jeffersoncountyvacation.com the park’s north entrance. enjoy golfing, tennis, swimming, tub- Visitors can sample wave pools, min- ing and horseback riding. Some facilities Cosby, Tennessee (423) 623-7201 iature golf courses, go-carts, bumper also offer games, fishing poles and bad- On U.S. 321 near the park’s east entrance newportcockecountychamber.net boats, kiddie rides and music shows minton sets for children. Bicycle rent- Asheville, North Carolina (828) 258-6101 in the spring and summer. Visitors to als are available for visitors who want to Off of I-26 and I-240 east of the park exploreasheville.com Dollywood experience mountain tra take advantage of the paved, three-mile - Waynesville, North Carolina (828) 456-3517 ditions, amazing adventures and live bike trail that parallels U.S. 321 through Off U.S. 74 east of the park downtownwaynesville.com entertainment. the community.
36 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 37 PLAN YOUR VISIT THINGS TO DO
Great Smoky Mountains National Park gus Mill, near Oconaluftee Visitor Center, offers a variety of things to do each season. and Cable Mill, near Cades Cove Visitor Center, millers grind corn into cornmeal and wheat into flour using a water-pow- ered gristmill. You will find other historic sites along Cherokee Orchard Road and SPRING, SUMMER Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. & FALL FIELD STUDIES PARK PROGRAMS The Great Smoky Mountains Insti- The NPS offers talks, slide shows, tute at Tremont is located in the park near films, guided nature and history walks Townsend, Tennessee. Open year-round, and evening campfire programs. The this environmental education center edu- park provides a wealth of year-round cates teachers, students and the general classes and programs covering almost ev- public about the Smokies through special ery aspect of the park’s nature and history. science programs, family weekends, out- The park also hosts a variety of events, door experiences, craft workshops and including Mountain Life Festival, special numerous other offerings. On-site lodg- hikes, blacksmith demonstrations and mo- ing and dining facilities allow participants lasses making. to immerse themselves in the programs, which usually last two to six days. Subjects HISTORIC EXHIBITS AND include photography, backpacking, moun- DEMONSTRATIONS tain crafts, Appalachian crafts and envi- Barns, churches, a school and many ronmental topics. For details, please call cabins are preserved in Cataloochee Val- (865) 448-6709 or visit gsmit.org. ley, once the largest settlement in the The University of Tennessee Smoky Smokies, located in the southeast area of Mountain Field School offers nature pro- the park. The NPS also maintains histori- grams and activities that incorporate back- cal cabins, farmhouses and churches in packing and hiking in the park. Programs, Cades Cove, a valley in the western area which run from four hours to two days and of the park. Here, and at other locations are frequently held on weekends, cover throughout the park from spring through various aspects of natural and cultural his- October, park employees don the dress tory ranging from wildlife and forest ecol- of 19th-century settlers and demonstrate ogy to Cherokee history and orienteering. how mountain people lived. At the Moun- All courses are filled on a first-come, tain Farm Museum near the Oconaluftee first-served basis. For more information, Visitor Center, they spin wool, weave please write: University of Tennessee, cloth, forge tools, make sorghum into Community Programs, 105 Conference molasses, and perform and explain the Center Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-4110, daily tasks of mountain people. At Min- call (865) 974-0150 or visit smfs.utk.edu.
38 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO
BICYCLING Creek below Cades Cove, Big Creek near Sugarlands Riding Stables, (865) 436-3535; The park has limited areas for safe biking I-40 at the park’s northeastern end, and Smokemont, (828) 497-2373; and Smoky because roads tend to be steep and nar- Little River near Elkmont Campground Mountain Stables, located four miles east row, and bicycles are prohibited on trails. in the north-central section of the park. of downtown Gatlinburg on U.S. 321, WINTER Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley, how- Fontana Lake, located along the park’s (865) 436-5634. Snow occasionally causes road closures ever, make for pleasant cycling. Remem- southern boundary, is also popular. You The NPS requires concessioners to in winter. The two main roads, Newfound ber, cyclists should exercise caution when can fish for smallmouth bass, rock bass, send guides with rental horses. Children Gap Road and Little River Road, are closed approaching steep downhill grades. and brook, rainbow or brown trout. Fish- younger than 6 years old must ride with an when they become unsafe for driving. The 11-mile loop road around Cades ing is allowed within the park from sun- adult. Clingmans Dome Road is closed to cars in Cove is closed to automobile traffic on rise to sunset. A valid Tennessee or North The park’s five drive-in horse camps— winter from December 1 to March 31. For Wednesday and Saturday until 10 a.m. Carolina state fishing license is required. four in North Carolina and one in Ten- road and weather conditions, please call (early May through mid-September). You They are available at sporting goods nessee—are open April through early (865) 436-1200. can rent bicycles at the Cades Cove Camp- stores in gateway communities and at the November. Reservations are required and ground Store and at Nantahala Outdoor Gatlinburg Welcome Center at the north can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or WINTER RECREATION Center in Gatlinburg. entrance to town. Pick up a copy of fishing visiting recreation.gov. Clingmans Dome Road is one of the regulations at the visitor centers. In addition, Cades Cove Riding Stable best places in the park for cross-coun- FISHING offers carriage rides and hay rides try skiing and sledding. Downhill Anglers relish the park’s bountiful PICNICKING (wheelchair accessible). The Smokemont skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing mountain streams, including Abrams There are 11 picnic areas in the park. Riding Stable offers hor s e - d raw n and ice skating are available near the Several remain open year-round and about wagon rides along the route of the park at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & half have pavilions that are available to re- historic Oconaluftee Turnpike. Amusement Park. serve up to one year in advance. Visit the park’s website for a listing of picnic areas or call (865) 436-1200.
HORSEBACK RIDING Equestrians consider the Smokies among the best riding country in the East. About 550 miles of the park’s hik- ing trails are open to horses. If you wish to ride your horse in the park, obtain a copy of the park’s trail map, which shows horse-friendly trails and outlines the rules and regulations of riding in the backcountry. It also has information about backcountry camp- ing and permit requirements. Official trail maps cost $1.00 and are available at any park visitor center or by calling (865) 436 -1297. You can also rent horses from con cessioner-managed stables located in the park: Cades Cove, (865) 448-9009;
40 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 41 THINGS TO DO
If you decide to hike, you’ll have the WINTER WILDLIFE WATCHING Appalachian Trail practically all to yourself Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the winter. Be aware that hiking is teeming with life and you’ll see plenty from November through April at elevations of white-tailed deer, woodchucks and rac- above 4,000 feet is often a snowy adven- coons in winter, especially around Cades ture, with temperatures frequently falling Cove. You likely won’t see bears, though; below zero. Always dress accordingly they’ll be denning. Some small birds, There is no in-park lodging dur- such as the black-capped chickadee, also ing the winter, but the Cades Cove and winter in the Smokies. See the “Nature Smokemont campgrounds remain open & Wildlife” chapter for more information year-round. about plants and animals in the park.
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL jcarrilet/iStock AD
The white blazes of the AT stretch for more than 70 miles through the park.
The trail was proposed by conservation- rivers. Elevations range from 6,643 feet at ist Benton MacKaye in 1921. Work began Clingmans Dome in the Smokies to near the following year, and by 1937, the trail sea level at the Hudson River in New York. was complete. The first person walked The segment within the park follows the its entire length, from Georgia to Maine, Smokies’ ridgeline 68 miles for nearly the in 1948. Every year, some 100 hikers re- entire length of the park. You can access peat the feat. Successful hikers include a the trail at Newfound Gap, Clingmans 6-year-old boy, several octogenarians and Dome, Fontana Dam and at the end of a visually impaired man with his service Highway 32 just north of Big Creek Camp- animal. The entire trip takes four to six ground. For a suggested route within months, crossing 14 states, eight national the park, see the “Walking and Hiking” forests, two national parks and 15 major chapter.
42 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | PLAN YOUR VISIT PLAN YOUR VISIT JUST FOR KIDS WALKING & HIKING
A visit to the Smokies gives kids a Take a field trip. The University of With its miles of scenic paths and trails, HIKING TIPS chance to get back to nature and learn Tennessee Smoky Mountain Field School Great Smoky Mountains is meant to be ex- • Consider the weather. If you get about plant and animal life, living history offers family programs on topics such plored on foot. Whether you’re a casual day caught in a thunderstorm, stay off the and the wonders of the ecosystem. Here’s as reptiles and amphibians, insects and hiker or a determined mountaineer, there’s balds and away from meadows and a helpful rundown of some fun ways kids animal tracks. Call (865) 974-0150 or visit a trail for you. You can choose to stroll easy other open areas to avoid getting hit by can get involved. smfs.utk.edu for more information. quarter-mile paths called Quiet Walk- lightning. Always carry rain gear. When planning your trip, keep in mind Listen to Southern Appalachian ways, or go on self-guiding nature walks that many park activities are seasonal. stories. Check at visitor centers for the (pamphlets describing points of interest are • Know your limitations. An average times and locations of these stories about available at the trailheads). If you’re a more hiker travels two miles an hour. Steep PARK ACTIVITIES settlers, the Cherokee and even ghosts. experienced hiker, you will want to tackle terrain, heavy loads or young children Become a Junior Ranger. Kids can Take a hayride in Cades Cove. trails that bring you up steep mountain- may slow your travel time. earn a badge by engaging in specially-de- Cool mornings are the best time to see sides, along high ridges and through deep signed programs such as blacksmithing, wildlife from a hay wagon. Call Cades forests with rushing streams. Before head- • Stick to the trails. Getting lost or injured pottery, venturing to learn about insects Cove Riding Stables at (865) 448-9009 ing off, be sure to stop at a visitor center is much more likely to occur if you are and other wildlife, or becoming a nature for reservations. to learn about your walking and hiking op- away from established trails. If you do detective and identifying animal signs, Go Fishing. Nearly 700 miles of fish- tions, pick up maps and find out about become lost or are overtaken by dark- tracks and scat. Age-specific booklets able streams meander down the Smok- weather and trail conditions, and weather, ness, stay calm and remain where you are available at visitor centers and guide ies and spill into Fontana Lake and three fire and storm-related closures. are. Park rescues of overdue hikers who kids ages 5 to 12 through a variety of prongs of Little Pigeon River. Brook, stay on trails are usually successful within activities. rainbow and brown trout and other sport a few hours; it may take days to locate Walk with a park ranger. Get the real fish thrive here. You’ll need a valid Ten- hikers off the trails. Never hike alone, and scoop on nature during a ranger-guided nessee or North Carolina fishing license, always leave an itinerary with someone. walk or attend a slide show at camp- for sale in local communities, if you are 16 Melinda Fawver Melinda ground amphitheaters. Check the park years or older (13 years or older for non- • Be wary of both bears and boars— newspaper for current times and topics. residents in Tennessee). Always follow give them a wide berth. Experienced Attend Discovery Camp. Participate state fishing regulations. hikers wear bells, whistle, talk or sing to in a three-day program at Great Smoky announce their presence to bears. Mountains Institute at Tremont, designed ACTIVITIES IN LOCAL specifically for children ages 9 through COMMUNITIES • To prevent blisters, the most common 12. Summer youth programs focus on The gateway communities near Great ailment on the trail, wear comfortable exploring the Smokies, hands-on science Smoky Mountain National Park offer a vari- shoes or boots that suit your needs and and adventure. Family camps, natural- ety of fun, kid-friendly events like the Chil- the terrain. Likewise, choose quality out- ist workshops and programs for kids are dren’s Trout Derby in Cherokee, North door socks that will cushion and protect also available. For more information, call Carolina and Smoky Mountain Tunes & your feet. (865) 448-6709 or visit gsmit.org. Tales in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Watch millers grind corn and wheat. For a full listing of events in Cherokee and • Don’t drink stream water. It may con- Visit the water-powered Mingus Mill near Gatlinburg, see the corresponding chapters in tain impurities and parasites that can Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and Cable Mill this guide. More information is also available make you ill. Boil, filter or treat (with Some trails through the park’s lush forest are in Cades Cove to learn how flour and corn- at the chambers of commerce listed in the narrow; follow markers and stay on the iodine pills) any water from streams or meal are made. “Lodging & Dining” chapter. maintained route. springs.
44 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 45 WALKING AND HIKING PLAN YOUR VISIT
WALKING & HIKING TRAILS CAMPING
Difficulty Trail Round-Trip Elevation Trailhead Description Distance Gain Great Smoky Mountain camping is primi- RESTRICTIONS tive by design. The park operates 10 front- Stays of up to seven days are allowed Abrams Falls Trail This relatively level trail leads to the 5 miles moderate Abrams Falls Parking Lot at west 20-foot-high Abrams Falls, which 340 feet country campgrounds that have 1,008 sites from mid-May through October; 14 days is end of Cades Cove Loop Road spills into a scenic pool. (Look Rock is closed indefinitely). These the limit during the rest of the year. Alum Cave Trail Travel through Arch Rock’s erosion- 11 miles strenuous campgrounds have cold running water, pic- Alum Cave Bluffs parking created tunnel, to Alum Cave Bluffs, 2,800 feet area at Newfound Gap Road and finally up steep cliffs to Mount nic tables, fire pits and flush toilets. There BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING between Newfound Gap and LeConte, one of the park’s best are no RV hookups or showers. The larg- Permits are required in the backcoun- Chimney Tops viewpoints. est campgrounds also have amphitheaters try and are available online or at the back- Appalachian Trail A popular section of the trail leads 8 miles moderate used for ranger talks and slide shows. country office at the Sugarlands Visitor Newfound Gap from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bun- 980 feet ion, which passes through a spruce- Cades Cove and Smokemont remain open Center. Anyone staying overnight in the fir forest with spectacular vistas. year round. For more information about the backcountry must camp in one of the Boulevard Trail This is one of five trails to Mount 16 miles strenuous park’s five drive-in horse camps, please nearly 100 designated sites or shelters. Appalachian Trail from New- LeConte’s summit. It is the longest, 1,545 feet see the “Things to Do” chapter. Permit and site reservations can be made found Gap to Boulevard Trail but less steep and still considered strenuous. up to one month in advance and cost Chimney Tops Trail This trail winds through virgin forest 4 miles strenuous RESERVATIONS $4 per person per night. Always prepare Chimney Tops Trailhead on to Chimney Tops pinnacles. Closed 1,335 feet Campsites at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, before heading into the backcountry— Newfound Gap Road for repairs Mon.-Thurs. through Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont may be re- listen to the local weather forecast and early fall. served online or by phone at (877) 444‑6777. pack proper clothing, food, water and Hen Wallow Falls Trail A good, short day hike. The main 4 miles moderate Before the picnic area on the trail leads to the top of the falls; a 520 feet They are required at Cataloochee Camp- equipment. Remember to store your food road to Cosby Campground steep, narrow side trail leads to the ground. All remaining park are first-come, properly and to follow Leave No Trace bottom. first-served. Reservations may be made principles. For more information, contact Indian Creek Falls Trail This flat trail leads to picturesque 2 miles easy up to six months in advance by calling the backcountry office at (865) 436-1297. End of Deep Creek Road Indian Creek Falls, which cascades 100 feet just past the Deep Creek 60 feet down a series of ledges into (877) 444-6777 or at recreation.gov. Sites at For backcountry camping reservations Campground a wide pool. other developed campgrounds are available visit smokiespermits.nps.gov, or call Laurel Falls Trail The paved trail is the most popular 2.5 miles easy on a first-come, first-served basis. (865) 436-1231. Laurel Falls parking area on waterfall trail in the park. It passes 200 feet Little River Road through a pine and oak forest. CAMPGROUNDS Ramsey Cascades Trail* This trail passes through an old- 8 miles strenuous From Greenbrier, follow signs growth deciduous forest before 2,375 feet Campground Open dates # of Sites Elevation (ft) Fee Per Night to the Ramsey Cascades reaching the 100-foot-high Ramsey Abrams Creek May 22 to October 13 16 1,125 ft. $14 trailhead. Cascades. Balsam Mountain May 22 to October 13 46 5,310 ft. $14 Sugarlands Valley A paved trail leads to the forest, a 0.5 mile easy Nature Trail** river and the remains of pre-park level Big Creek*^ April 10 to October 31 12 1,700 ft. $14 Off Newfound Gap Road, dwellings. Favorite among older visi- Cades Cove* Year round 159 1,807 ft. $17–$20 0.25-mile south of Sugarlands tors, families with children in stroll- Visitor Center. - ers, and visitors with mobility and Cataloochee*† April 3 to October 31 27 2,610 ft. $20 sensory impairments. Cosby* April 10 to October 31 157 2,459 ft. $14
* Do not attempt to climb to the top of the falls; several attempts have resulted in fatalities. Deep Creek* April 10 to October 31 92 1,800 ft. $17 ** Special communications media are available at the visitor center to assist in interpreting nature. Elkmont* March 13 to Nov. 28 220 2,150 ft. $17–$23
Look Rock CLOSED - 2,600 ft. - Note: Hike times range from 1.5 miles to 3 miles per hour, depending on the steepness of the terrain and the physical fitness of the hiker. Plan your hike based on your individual ability and Smokemont* Year round 142 2,198 ft. $17–$20 the trail descriptions above. *Group sites available ^No RVs permitted †Requires advanced reservations
46 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 47 NATURE & WILDLIFE NATURE & WILDLIFE NATURE & WILDLIFE
The astounding variety of plants and an- tains became a refuge for many species skiserge1/iStock imals in the Smokies is unequaled in most of plants and animals that were displaced temperate areas of the world. from their northern homes. The Smokies Biological diversity is the hallmark of have been relatively undisturbed by gla- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ciers or ocean inundation for over a million which encompasses over 800 square years, allowing species eons to diversify. miles in the Southern Appalachian Moun- The park’s abundant rainfall, 55 inches tains. No other area of equal size in a in the valleys to over 85 inches on some temperate climate can match the park’s peaks, along with high summertime hu- amazing diversity of plants, animals and midity provides excellent growing condi- invertebrates. Over 12,000 species have tions. During wet years, over eight feet been documented in the park; scientists of snow falls in the high country. The believe an additional 25,000 to 50,000 relative humidity in the park during the species may live here. growing season is about twice that of the Mountains, glaciers and weather Rocky Mountain region. are the primary factors in the park’s di- versity. Elevations in the park range from 875 to 6,643 feet, mimicking the FOLIAGE COLOR GUIDE latitudinal changes you would experi- Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the last remaining natural black bear habitats in the Eastern U.S. ence driving north or south across the The Smokies foliage changes in the mountains beginning in mid-September eastern United States from Georgia Some 100 species of native trees find ALL TAXA BIODIVERSITY and moves down to the valleys through to Canada. Plants and animals com- homes in the Smokies, more than any INVENTORY October, often continuing into early No- mon in the southern United States vember. Here is a guide to the spectacu- other North American national park. Al- There has been much written about the thrive in the lowlands of the Smokies, lar fall colors. most 95 percent of the park is forested, accelerating crisis in protecting global biodi- while species common in the northern 25 percent of which is old-growth—one versity. This is not just a tropical issue, but it Yellow Flowering beech, birch, black states find a suitable habitat in the higher of the largest blocks of deciduous, temper- is also an issue in the United States. How are gum, buckeye, hickory moun- elevations. ate, old-growth forest remaining in North we to make critical decisions about protec- tain ash, and poplar trees The Great Smoky Mountains are among America. Over 1,500 additional flowering tion, when we do not even know what spe- the oldest mountains in the world, formed Scarlet Red maple tree plant species grow in the park. The park cies exist, or what their relative abundance perhaps 200–300 million years ago. They Red Dogwood, maple, pin cherry, is the center of diversity for lungless sala- and distribution are? are unique in their northeast to southwest sourwood and sumac trees manders and is home to more than 200 Discover Life in America, a non-profit orientation, which allowed species to mi- Crimson Blackberry and blueberry species of birds, 66 types of mammals, partner of the national park, is coordinating grate along their slopes during climatic bushes 50 fish species, 39 varieties of reptiles and an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, or ATBI, changes such as the last ice age, 10,000 43 species of amphibians. Mollusks, milli- to catalogue the estimated 25,000 to 50,000 Mixture Buckeye northern red oak years ago. In fact, the glaciers of the last pin cherry (orange, red), red pedes and mushrooms reach record diver- species of living organisms in Great Smoky ice age affected the Smoky Mountains maple, sugar maple (yellow, sity here. Mountains National Park. without invading them. During that time, orange, scarlet), sweet gum In recognition of the park’s unique natu- You can be a part of the ATBI! Join other glaciers scoured much of North America (yellow, red, dark purple) and ral resources, the United Nations has des- citizen scientists and volunteers in discover- but did not quite reach as far south as witch hobble (yellow, red) ignated Great Smoky Mountains National ing new species in the park. For more infor- the Smokies. Consequently, these moun- Park as an International Biosphere Reserve. mation, visit DLIA.org.
48 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 49 NATURE & WILDLIFE NATURE & WILDLIFE
PLANT LIFE WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
1 2 3 1 2 3
4 5 6 4 5 6 The Smokies’ diversity of flowering plants and deciduous trees makes for a colorful spring, summer and fall. The spring bloom starts in the valleys in late March and works upward to 1 BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus) 4 RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) the peaks through July, while the changing colors of the leaves starts on the peaks as early Approximately 1,500 bears live in the This reddish fox, with white under-parts, chin and throat, is common in the park, but is as mid-September and works downward to the valleys into early to mid-November. park. Coming out to forage during the day, they eat juicy plant parts, insects, ber- rarely seen because it is shy and nocturnal. It eats almost anything it can sink its teeth into, FLOWERS TREES ries, nuts, acorns and meat. See the “Park Regulations & Safety” chapter for bear including birds, crickets and plants. • Weight 1 BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria canadensis) 4 BLACK CHERRY (Prunus serotina) safety tips. • Weight 200-600 lbs • Size 10-15 lbs • Size 15-30 in long • Active spring This plant’s name is derived from its stem, This is the park’s largest native cherry tree, 5-6 ft long • Active spring through fall. and summer. Photo Credit: Jeff McGraw. from which American Indians made red growing up to 60 feet tall. It has white blos- Photo Credit: Tom Reichner. dye. A member of the poppy family, the soms in spring and leaves that turn red or 5 WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo Griseus) bloodroot’s flowers are white with a gold yellow in fall. A small and shy songbird, the White-eyed center. It grows along streams in wooded 2 NORTHERN FLICKER (Colaptes auratus) Vireo inhabits bushes and shrubby areas and areas. 5 BLACK LOCUST (Robinia pseudoacacia) The only woodpecker in North America that is more noticeable for its explosive song than Black locusts grow mainly in the south- eats primarily from the ground, it uses its its appearance. Interestingly, the White-eyed 2 DUTCHMAN’S BREECHES (Dicentra ern Appalachian Mountains and have long tongue to lick up insects, only peck- Vireo bathes by rubbing against wet foliage. cucullaria) forking, irregular trunks. Their aromatic ing on wood as a mating call or to proclaim • Weight 0.5 oz • Size 4-5 in long • Active This white flower’s shape is reminiscent white flowers appear in late spring, and territory. • Weight 4-6 oz • Size 1 ft long spring through fall. Photo Credit: P. St. Clair. of a pair of pantaloons hung out on the line their fruit consists of flat brown pods, • Active year-round to dry. The leafless flowering stalk arches which appear in fall and then split open over the bluish, finely dissected leaves, in winter. 6 WHITE-TAILED DEER 3 NORTHERN SPRING PEEPER which stand upright. (Odocoileus Virginianus) (Hyla crucifer) 6 MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia) White-tailed deer live throughout the Smok- 3 STAR CHICKWEED (Steliaria pubera) This common evergreen shrub ranges This nocturnal tree frog gets its name from ies. Most commonly seen in areas with open This native perennial wildflower member has along the East Coast from southern Maine its familiar peeping sound. Although rarely fields such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee white star-like flowers with deeply cleft pet- to northern Florida and west to Louisiana. seen, these frogs are often heard through- Valley, more than 6,000 may live in the park. als in clusters atop an erect stem. It is usually Its small pink or white flowers appear in out the park. They live in wooded areas near • Weight 100-350 lbs • Size 3-3.5 ft long found in woods and on rocky slopes during spring in clusters of pointed buds, and its ponds and lakes. • Weight 1 lb • Size 1 in • Active year-round. Photo Credit: Tony April–June and grows 6 to 16 inches tall. leaves are long and narrow. long • Active spring through fall Campbell
50 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 51 PLAN YOUR VISIT PHOTOGRAPHY
The ecosystems of America’s national behavior so that you can be prepared for and state parks and public lands are among what it will do next. the most diverse on the planet—from the The eyes have it. Capturing your subject’s wetlands of the Everglades to the temper- eyes will lead the viewer into the picture ate rain forests of Olympic National Park and make your image more impactful. and the deserts of Death Valley to the Always keep the eyes in focus and try to mountains of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. place them in the power points (the inter- For both aspiring and experienced photogra- section of rule of third guidelines). phers, the goal of any trip to a national park Keep a safe distance. You’ll want to keep a is to capture its endemic wildlife. minimum of 25 yards between you and Taking photographs of animals presents a your subject and more than 75 yards for unique set of challenges. Landscapes cooper- larger predators. That means that you’ll ate; wildlife does not. Not only are animals need a big telephoto lens if you want to get likely to react to a photographer’s presence, up close and personal. but they are also driven by their own instincts Shoot in burst mode. Instead of taking a and behavior, which can make capturing them single frame, increase the probability that difficult. The tips below will help you compose you’ll capture the behavior, head position or better wildlife images of all creatures great angle by capturing multiple frames. and small—from the bison to the tiniest hum- Be prepared. Wildlife, and particularly birds, mingbird and everything in between. move quickly and without provocation. Use a tripod. If you are using a large tele- Practice your panning skills to better catch AD photo lens, consider investing in a gimbal birds when they alight. head, which will make it easier to track your Timing is everything. The best time to subject. photograph wildlife is during the golden Know your subject. Before you take out hours—at dusk and dawn—when the light your camera, understand your subject’s is soft and less likely to cast harsh shadows across your subject’s face. Keep it simple. The easiest way to draw at- tention to your subject is to use a simple background. Use a shallow depth of field to JPecha/iStock blur any distracting backgrounds. Aim for the action. Make your image more compelling by capturing your subject ex- hibiting its natural behavior—flying, hunt- ing, eating or caring for young. The best way to take better photographs is to practice, and you don’t need to go far. Buy a bird feeder and build a studio in your backyard, where you’ll be able to create Don’t miss your shot! Be aware of your surroundings. your own version of A Star(ling) is Born.
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If you only have one day to visit the kee. Those who are up for it can hike to the park, drive along Newfound Gap Road Alum Cave Bluffs, a popular destination for (U.S. 441) between the Sugarlands and day hikers. Oconaluftee visitor centers. Begin at either Continue on Newfound Gap Road to visitor center. This trans-mountain road con- Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Just beyond nects Tennessee to North Carolina, offering the visitor center is Mountain Farm Mu- spectacular panoramic views and plenty to seum, a collection of farm buildings. Here, do along the way. costumed interpreters reenact 19th-century If you’re driving south to Oconaluftee, farm life from spring through late October. stop first at Sugarlands Visitor Center to get At nearby Mingus Mill, watch a demonstra- information and a park overview. tion of how people ground grain for their A short drive leads to Chimneys Picnic daily bread. Area, where you’ll find the 0.75-mile, self- Depending on which direction guided Cove Hardwood Nature Trail. you drive, finish the trip with an eve- Chimney Tops Overlooks offer a view of ning in Gatlinburg or Cherokee (see the twin summits called Duniskwalguni, the relevant chapters of this guide for which means “Forked Antlers” in Chero- more information).
Ehrlif AD
WSD-F20
*1 Original Casio criteri *2 •Drop: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 516.7 Procedure IV. •Random Vibration: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 514.7 Procedure I. •Humidity: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 507.6 Procedure II. •Solar-Radiation: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 505.6 Procedure II. •Non-Operating Altitude: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 500.6 Procedure I. •Operating Altitude: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method500.6ProcedureII. •Non-Operating High Temperature: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 501.6 Procedure I •Non-Operating Low Temperature: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 502.6 Procedure I. •Temperature Shock: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 503.6 Procedure I-C. •Icing Freezing Rain: Tested in conformance with MIL-STD-810G Method 521.4 Procedure I. (The performance of this instrument has been confirmed under various test environments, but its operation in actual use is not guaranteed for every environment. Freedom from breakage or failure can also not be guaranteed.) •This product conforms to the JIS C 61000-3-2 harmonic electrical current standard. •This product is in conformity with or certified to the Radio Law, Telecommunications Business Law and VCCI. •The screen design shown is correct at the time of development. Actual design may vary. •The final specifications may differ from those shown. *Bluetooth® and Bluetooth SIG are registered trademarks. *Wi-Fi are Wi-Fi Alliance registered trademarks. *Android, Android Wear and other terms are trademarks of Google Inc. *Other service and product names are, in general, trademarks or registered trademarks of the companies concerned.
Diverse, fragrant forest ecosystems enclose the Newfound Gap Road. protrek.casio.com
56 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | B:5.875" T:5.375" S:4.75"
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