Reasons Why Hiking in Gatlinburg is Fun for Everyone
If you’re looking for a vacation for your family that is both fun and active, hiking in Gatlinburg, is the perfect option for you! Spending a weekend hiking with your family through the beautiful Smoky Mountains will be great exercise, not to mention you’ll be blown away by the beautiful nature surrounding you.
You and your family will be having such a good time exploring the trails and taking in the scenery that you won’t even realize how much you’ve walked by the end of the day.
1. Hiking Trails for Every Level
Hiking in the Smokies can be quite challenging, and hiking any trail above your fitness level can make for a less than enjoyable day while out on the trail.
2. Enjoyable Exercise
You know hiking is good for your health. Hiking exercises almost every part of your body: legs, knees, ankles, arms, hips and butt, abdominal, shoulders and neck.
3. Spectacular Nature Views
You see so many beautiful views when you visit the Smoky Mountains, with over 800 square miles, the Smoky Mountains offer a unique view of Tennessee and North Carolina.
4. Touring the Cove
Cades Cove offers visitors the chance to experience once of the most picturesque valleys in the country and simultaneously enjoy historic structures and wildlife. However, this is a slow-paced drive and it is not uncommon for the 11-mile loop to take 2-4 hours to drive so don’t try to rush it.
5. History
There are a lot of historical trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 850 miles of trails throughout the national park, they all have at least a little bit of history in the making.
6. Wildlife Viewing
Keep an eye out for white tail deer, coyote, elk, fox and black bears. Visitors often spy black bears in the late afternoon/early evening hours. Black bears typically can be seen along the Loop during late summer and fall.
7. Camping
Campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have campsites that can accommodate tents, pop-up trailers and RVs. Nearly 950 campsites are available at 10 locations within the park. Each of these campgrounds has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets. However, there are no showers, electrical hookups, or water hookups in the park. Shower facilities are available in the communities surrounding the park. Each individual campsite has a fire grate and a picnic table.
Check here the Interactive Topo Map for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For more info see: 4 Reasons Why Hiking in Gatlinburg TN is Fun for Everyone