During your visit to Pigeon Forge, you must take a trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park. As the most visited national park in the United States, the Smokies receive more than 9 million visitors a year. There is much to do and see in the park, including overlooks that give you a view of the beautiful mountain ranges, hiking trails, camping, fishing, historic sites, and wildlife. There are five different types of forests throughout the Smoky Mountains and more than 4,000 species of plants. Some sections of the park are actually classified as rainforests. The park is over 500,000 acres in size.
Most visitors to the Smokies are there for a day visit. However, if you like the outdoors and camping, there is no better place in the country to camp than the Smoky Mountains. The campsites in the park are primitive on purpose. There are ten campgrounds and they all have running water, flush toilets and charcoal grills. There are fees to stay at these campgrounds, but they are inexpensive. There are no camper hookups available at these campgrounds.
Hiking is another nice thing to do in the park. Not only does it give you a chance to see the great outdoors, but it’s also a great way to get some exercise. There are more than 850 miles of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains. The trails range from less difficult half-hour hikes to more difficult trips. Many offer beautiful views, historical monuments and waterfalls. The Appalachian Trail stretches 70 miles along the upper ridge of the Smoky Mountains.
Wildlife sightings are great in the Smoky Mountains. Early morning and late evening are the best times to spot wildlife. There are more than 65 mammals that live in the park, with the bear and red wolf being favorites of visitors. Coyotes and bobcats are the shy ones and sightings are rare, while deer are easily seen in the park. Other animals you will see are red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, skunks, and bats. Moose, river otters, beavers, warthogs, and of course snakes also reside in the Smoky Mountains.
There are more than 230 species of birds in the Smoky Mountains and 110 that breed in the mountains. As for snakes, the Copperhead and Timbler Rattler are the only venomous snakes in the park, but neither have lethal venom. The most common nonvenomous snakes are the black rat, garter snake, and common water snake. Other reptiles include frogs, toads, and salamanders. The 27 types of Smokies salamanders make this area the salamander capital of the world.
Fishing is another thing to do in the park. Anglers age 13 and older need a valid fishing license to fish in the Smokies, which must be purchased prior to visiting the Smokies. The national park does not sell licenses. Fishing is allowed year-round and there are more than 40 species of fish, including darts, daces, suckers, bass, shiners, and trout. The brook trout is the only trout native to the Smoky Mountains. Stop by a visitor center to learn about fishing regulations.
The weather in the Smoky Mountains can change quickly. The climate is moderate, but due to the higher elevations, you can experience changes in weather quickly. Elevations in the Park range from 800 feet to 6,643 feet and the temperature can change 10 to 20 degrees from the lowest to the highest elevations. Also, just because it’s a beautiful day when you head out to the park doesn’t mean it will continue to be good weather all day. There is an average of 55 inches of precipitation a year in the lowlands compared to 85 inches of precipitation in the higher elevations of the Smoky Mountains. If you’ve wondered why the Smoky Mountains are Smoky, it’s the result of precipitation and evaporation from the trees. The higher elevations of the Smokies are classified as rainforest.
The beautiful plants in the Smoky Mountains is one of the main reasons it has been classified as a national park. The vegetation is what makes these mountains so unique. Due to varying levels of elevation, precipitation, and temperature, these mountains provide excellent habitat for more than 1,600 different types of flowering plants, 100 types of trees, and more than 100 species of shrubs. The park is sometimes known as the Wildflower National Park. There are more types of flowering plants in the Smoky Mountains than in any other park in North America. And the beautiful fall leaves in the national park are spectacular!
There is no cost to enter the Smoky Mountains National Park. Due to deed restrictions imposed when the Smokies were established, it was decided that gate charges would never be allowed. Limited food and supplies are available in the national park, so it’s best to bring a picnic and drinks and stop by one of the many picnic areas in the Smokies. Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on the hiking trails. Horseback riding and bike riding are also available in the Smokies.
There are several visitor centers in the area to help you about the park and offer tips to get the most out of your visit to the park. Many offer exhibits on the history and culture of the Smoky Mountains. Many guided tours are offered and most have restrooms and shops. The Sugarlands Visitor Center offers a free 20-minute Dolby Digital Surround Sound movie about the Smoky Mountains, which is very interesting. There are several places to go in the Smoky Mountains to introduce you to the extraordinary nature and cultural history of the park. If you want to learn more about the culture of the early mountain settlers, visit the Mountain Farm Museum, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, or the Roaring Fork area. In these places you can tour houses, farms, churches and other buildings built by the first settlers. The best places to view wildlife due to the wide open spaces are Cades Cove and Cataloochee. For the most beautiful views of the Smoky Mountain Range, head to the tops of the mountains at Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap. For a cool, shady stop in the woods, you may want to stop by Deep Creek or Roaring Fork.
No matter what you want to do or see during your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’re guaranteed a fun-filled day. Plan your visit and get ready to enjoy the majestic views of the mountains!