If you’re visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a journey up to the summit of Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee, and formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is an absolute must. Straddling the NC/TN border, the 6,643-foot Kuwohi is the highest point in GSMNP, in the state of Tennessee, and on the entire Appalachian Trail. It’s also the … Read more
Shenandoah National Park attracts nearly 2 million visitors a year, encompasses nearly 200,000 acres of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and is home to the impressively scenic, 105-mile Skyline Drive. It’s a marvelous place with amazing overlooks of the surrounding wilderness. Some of the exposed rocks in Shenandoah National Park date back a billion years. Looming … Read more
In our experience, wildlife in the Smoky Mountains is both abundant and diverse, including amphibians, birds, large mammals, and reptiles. Some of the amazing animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be rather secretive, living deep in the forests or hiding under rocks. Others will graze or hunt out in the open, … Read more
Visiting the Fontana Dam and Visitors Center was high on our list of things to do during our latest car camping trip around the Great Smoky Mountains. Having already spent several days camping in the Nantahala National Forest, the dam was an unmissable, stop-off on our way to campgrounds in Bryson City NC and Cherokee … Read more
The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee are spectacular at any time of year, including Winter. Sure, the chilly Smoky Mountains Winter weather drives some folks indoors. But for visitors interested in snow skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, hiking, and/or exploring waterfalls, Winter is a perfect time to visit! Whichever category you fall into, … Read more
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg TN, and Pigeon Forge TN are huge vacation destinations complete with theme parks, ski resorts, and other fun attractions. Smoky Mountains Hotels provide a comfortable place to recharge for the next day’s adventures. The southern boundary of GSMNP in North Carolina is the town of Cherokee in the Qualla … Read more
Shenandoah National Park in the Fall invites you to experience panoramic views, cool breezes, beautiful birds, and leaves falling like colorful gems from above. In October, Shenandoah National Park is practically bursting with vibrant Fall colors! This natural attraction welcomes Fall foliage pilgrims every Autumn with towering summits, excellent hiking trails, flowing streams, and magical … Read more
[Updated August 23, 2023] Established as the fourth state after ratifying the United States Constitution in 1788, Georgia has a rich and diverse state history. The state is known for its sprawling oak trees in Savannah, rolling Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia, and a largely agriculture-based economy. English philanthropist James Oglethorpe first settled the state of … Read more
Autumn annually amazes western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee visitors with fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. In our experience, the best scenic views in the Smoky Mountains can rival any place in the world. And autumn is arguably the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains. Forests on these peaks are thick with deciduous hardwood trees … Read more
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others want to witness the mysterious Great Smoky Mountains fireflies (a.k.a. Blue Ghost fireflies). Many Smoky Mountains visitors come on a pilgrimage to see lots of waterfalls, but some just want … Read more
