866-808-7525
View from Newfound Gap RoadWhy do so many people visit the Great Smoky Mountains area? This is a question worth considering right now, as the number of Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors is at an all time high. The national park, and the entire area, has a lot to offer to many types of visitors. Here’s what’s happening in the Smoky Mountains that has everybody wanting to bring their family here for a vacation:
Record Number of Fall Visitors
In October of 2014, more than a million visitors passed through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the greatest number in several decades, and indicates that many people are drawn to the area’s distinctive natural beauty and other attractions. Many people who visit the national park stay at nearby cities such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. October is an especially popular month because of the incredible Smoky Mountain fall foliage that is on display. However, people flock to this area in large numbers throughout the year. Here’s what we know:
Reasons to Visit the ParkGroup of hikers in the mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 500,000 acres of pristine wilderness, panoramic views, hiking trails, amazing wildlife, streams full of fish and lots more. Some of the more popular activities in the park include:
Hiking
There are trails for casual short hikes or long and challenging ones. The park is actually part of the famous Appalachian Mountain Trail that passes through several states.
Bicycling
Although there are no mountain biking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors like to take a bicycle and ride around the designated areas to enjoy the scenery.
Wildlife Viewing
There are many areas in the national park that are wonderful for seeing wildlife like black bears, elk, deer, squirrels and so much more. Check out our blog for The Absolute Best Place to See Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains.
Fishing
The park has hundreds of streams containing fish such as rainbow and brown brook trout.
Driving
You don’t have to walk or cycle to enjoy the park’s beauty. There are many roads that offer amazing views of mountains, rivers and forests. You can take a driving tour through Cades Cove or along Newfound Gap Road for great views, any time of the year!Newfound Gap Road with green trees around it
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors have a wide choice of activities, so that’s another reason . The park is a place that you can visit for a few hours or for weeks on end. It’s all very accessible when you’re staying in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area.
Where to Stay in the Great Smoky Mountains
There are lots of places to stay in the Smoky Mountains, but Parkside Cabin Rentals, however, provides some benefits that you won’t find with other types of accommodations. These cabins provide you with a combination of Southern charm and modern luxury. You can find cabins with amenities such as Jacuzzis, fireplaces, flat screen TVs, pool tables and fire pits. Cabins also come with full kitchens so you can cook your own meals whenever you want.
Staying in one of our cabins gives you easy access to the area’s many attractions, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that’s right outside your doorstep. Gatlinburg and nearby cities, like Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, are full of great places to eat, shop and explore. Nearby activities include miniature golf, zip lining, go karts and several fun theme parks such as Dollywood. Visitors who come in the winter can go skiing, snowboarding or ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park.
To learn more about Dollywood, visit their website here: http://www.dollywood.com/
To find out more about Ober Gatlinburg, see their website: http://www.obergatlinburg.com/
To have the most comfortable experience, you can rent a Gatlinburg cabin at Parkside Cabin Rentals, where you can find comfortable and roomy cabins of all sizes. When you stay in a cabin in Gatlinburg, you can join the millions of other visitors who have experienced the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains.
