Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited National Parks in the United States with over 10 million visitors per year. The park is filled with things to do and see. There are many trails for hiking and some lead to waterfalls with spectacular mountain views. Enoy a bike ride around the Cades Cove loop road and see buildings from days gone by. Venture to the top of the mountain and Clingman's Dome for a view from the highest point in the park or settle into one of many camping locations and just relax and enjoy nature at its best.

The Smoky Mountains area is an amazing place to visit. The park has over 800 miles of hiking trails for any level of hiker. Many of the hikes pass or end at cascading waterfalls and a wide range of easy day hikes can be found throughout the park including Grotto Falls (pictured left) and Rainbow Falls. Aside from the hundreds of miles of hiking trails, curvaceous mountain drives and breathtaking views, the chance to see a bear or any number of other interesting wild creatures is always possible. In fact, it is the rare visitor who does not see the natural wildlife in the national park. The diversity of the flora and fauna of the Smoky Mountains has awed many a visitor. In addition to the animals, the park is world renowned for its spectacular orange, yellow, and red foliage in the fall although throughout the seasons wild flowers are in bloom at different altitudes. Visit in late Ocoter and early November to enjoy the fall colors...but book your stay earl as these are peak times and tend to go fast. The park boasts over 1,500 species of native flowering plants, making this a haven for plant lovers of all ages and levels of expertise.

The park is free to all visitors and is accessable most of the year. Some roads do close during the winter for inclement weather. Several roads in the park were closed in 2006 due to high wind damage. Plan on traveling steep winding roads for most of your journey. So take some time out from the shows and rides to visit the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. In winter you will see for miles throught the forest as most trees have dropped their leaves. Springtime brings many flower plants alive and the green leaves return. During summer, the lush temperate rain forest gives a welcome relief from the heat. Then in fall, the mountains do come alive with beautiful colors. The change starts at the top of the mountain in October and slowly works its way down to the lower elevations. Don't just visit in one season, experience the Smoky Mountains year round.

Of course, you will need a place to stay while you enjoy all this beauty. Sunset Pointe rental cabin is the perfect answer. Use this cabin as home base while you explore the great outdoors. The cabin is located in Wears Valley an only 5 minutes from the national park. No need to travel back to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, just enter the park through the Metcalf Bottoms entrance. In minutes, you can be in Cades Cove or high atop the mountain. Come and enjoy the Smoky Mountains National Park on your next vacation.