![]() ![]() ![]() Parking can be quite challenging during peak times. It helps to designate a meet up place just in case. Often there is limited parking so you may need to park separately. If you want to bring your furry friend along, there are only 2 trails in the entire park, the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail, which are both located near the visitor’s center.Ĭell phone coverage is spotty so pick up a trail map and make plans ahead of time if traveling in groups with multiple vehicles. If you’re around children for more than 10 seconds near mud and water you know they are guaranteed to get dirty.ĭogs are not allowed on any of these trails. Stash an extra change of clothes in your vehicle. Soggy feet are no fun, and listening to children complain about them is even worse!! Having extra socks can eliminate some wet feet and discomfort on the return hike. Tips for Hiking in the Smoky Mountainsīring extra socks! Countless times while exploring the river trails and waterfalls my children’s feet slipped into the water. Here is a detailed Daypack Trip Essential Packing List that can help you assemble your hiking daypack to have a great start, especially when hiking with children. Some essentials for your trip include, good hiking shoes, water, snacks, layered clothing, sunscreen, maps, and a rain jacket or poncho. Not to scare you, but with 800 miles of wooded forests it helps to plan ahead. Be Preparedīefore setting out on any hike, make sure you are prepared. The knowledgeable ranger helped direct us to the Spruce Flats Trail, which proved to be our children’s favorite hike of the entire trip. Case in point- originally, we had planned to hike the Porter’s Creek Trail to see the wildflowers, but learned that part of the trail was closed due to flooding in late March during our spring break. Cell reception was spotty throughout our visit and unreliable so make sure to pick up maps of the area for specific trails and make plans ahead of time if traveling with multiple families/friends.Īlso take the time to speak with the rangers, who are a wealth of information, to help choose your hikes. This is an ideal spot to grab trail maps, pamphlets for local attractions and souvenirs. ![]() There are 4 visitors centers within the park including Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove and Clingman’s Dome. First Stop: Visitor’s Centerīefore you do anything, first stop in at the visitor’s center. Temperatures usually range in the high 40’s during the winter months. Snowfall is common, so as long as you layer up you can enjoy the pristine beauty of snow covered mountains. Winter If you desire to visit the Smokies without the crowds, winter is a peaceful time to experience this beautiful area. This is a wonderful time to go horseback riding or ziplining to see the area from a bird’s eye view! Scenic overlooks are breathtaking as the trees are clothed in crimson reds, glorious yellows and bright oranges. Although be warned, summer is the busiest season for those visiting The Great Smoky Mountains, so plan your trip to expect greater crowds.įall Autumn is a perfect time to experience the beauty of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with cooler temperatures in the 70’s and stunning fall leaf color. The highest rainfall occurs June through September so waterfalls are at their peak during these months. Tubing down the rivers, hiking and splashing in waterfalls, and enjoying airconditioned indoor attractions offer plenty of things to do. Summer With hundreds of babbling rivers and roaring waterfalls to cool off in during the heat of the summer, summer break is a great time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Luckily there are plenty of nearby Indoor Attractions in Gatlinburgand Pigeon Forge that can be visited no matter what the weather. Crimson crabapples, purple violets, stunning white and pink rhododendrons and white mountain laurel begin showcasing their beauty in the spring. Yet all the rain helps create gorgeous waterfalls and herald in the spring’s colorful wildflowers. Spring Spring weather in the Smokies can be quite unpredictable, rain showers will pop up throughout the day. Here is a brief summary of the highlights and appeal during the four seasons. It truly doesn’t matter when you visit, there is beauty to be found in every season. One week barely scratches the surface of the numerous waterfalls and trails you can explore, so we’ve narrowed down the choices and selected our best recommendations for waterfall hikes for families. If you’re just starting to plan a trip to the beautiful Appalachian region, you’ll soon find out that one of the hardest parts is deciding between all the choices of things to see and do! If you’ve just started planning here is a Guide to Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg, which has the best tips for where to stay, eat and play in the area. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |