There are some places in the U.S. that you’ve got to see at least once in your life. For many people, the Great Smoky Mountains is one of those places. This national park is a great place for you and your loved ones to get in touch with nature and see some amazing sights along the way. But if you’ve never been to this area, you might be unsure of the best way to plan your trip or what things to set as your priorities. So to help with this, here are three tips for planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains.
Know The Popular Spots
As with all national parks, there are some places in the Smoky Mountains that are pretty iconic and well visited. According to the National Parks Service, some of these most popular spots include Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Clingmans Dome, and Roaring Fork. If there are some of the things that you’re hoping to do, you might want to ensure that you plan your day for these trips carefully so you can ensure that the weather will be right for these adventures. Also, try to get out early in the morning so you can miss the bigger crowds of people who chose to sleep in rather than get their exploring on. Probably for that you might want to search for some nearby places for accommodation, cabins in Wears Valley can be on of those options.
Be Aware Of The Wildlife
There’s a lot of wildlife that can be found in the Great Smoky Mountains. Some of this wildlife are things that you can to see and experience, while others you’re going to want to keep your distance from. According to Susan B. Barnes, a contributor to USA Today, some of the best animals to see and encounter are the elk, salamanders, and fireflies. But if you chose to get close to these animals, just be sure that you’re being safe and that you’re keeping them safe as well. The last thing you want to do is disrupt them and cause any type of harm to the animals or damage to their habitats.
Camp Carefully
When getting out in nature, it only makes sense that you’d want to camp so you can complete the experience. But when camping in the Great Smoky Mountains, Frommers reminds us that you’re only to camp in designated camping areas. If you and your party are going through the backcountry, make sure you’ve attained the right permits so that you can legally camp outside of the designated camping areas during this time. Permits for backcountry camping can be obtained at ranger stations, other campgrounds, and visitor centers that you pass along your trip. However, it is still suggested that you stay somewhere like the pigeon forge campgrounds so that you’re safe and secure.
If you have a trip planned to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, consider using the tips mentioned above to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time adventuring around this amazing part of the world.