One Day in the
Great Smoky Mountains
3 Things to Do
Established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926 and formally dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1940, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most frequently visited national parks in the United States. For good reason! The experience here is unlike any other. I was blessed to spend a day among these beautiful mountains. Honestly, a day is only enough time to scratch the surface of the park. However, if your time here is also limited here are three things you can do to make the most of your time in the Smokies!
1. Take in the scenes & Enjoy the open road!
There are numerous trails to traverse and sights to see within the park but even the driving within and to the park can be a real treat. The time of year that you visit is important, though. I think I hit a sweet spot when I visited in November. The temperature was nice and cool, the park was not as crowded as it can be during the summer months, and, best of all, the leaves had turned glorious shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown.
I stayed at an Airbnb in Asheville, North Carolina for my stay. Traveling from Asheville to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee, North Carolina had me travel the famed Blue Ridge Parkway for part of the journey. The road is full of gorgeous mountain views. Within the park there are several overlook spots where you can pull over to snap photos or just for a moment of pause to take in the breathtaking sights. Hey, maybe you’ll catch sight of an elk or see one of the many species of birds that call the park home.
2. Ascend clingman's dome
The highest point in the Smoky Mountains is Clingmans Dome. At over 6,500 feet, the dome also claims the title as the highest point in the state of Tennessee. Clingmans Dome is a must see for an awesome 360 degree view of the Smokies.
If you’re traveling from the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center, Clingmans Dome is a 22 mile drive via 441 & Clingmans Dome Road.
Note: Clingmans Dome Road is closed December – April for the winter.
When you visit, be sure to pack some patience. Although the park was not crowded, even in November Clingmans Dome was pretty busy. I had to wait a little while for a parking space to become available at the foot of the trail.
From the parking lot to the summit of the Clingmans Dome observation tower is a 0.5 mile hike. Although the hike is short it is also pretty steep. I had to stop a couple times to take a breather. This hike is well worth the priceless view you’ll see at the summit!
3. hike a portion of the Appalachian trail
Along the way to the observation tower of Clingmans Dome there is an entrance to the Appalachian Trial. One of the longest hiking trails in the country, the Appalachian Trail is a whopping 2,000+ miles long! It could be fun to say you’ve hiked it, even if it was just a short distance 😉
Tip!
Because I am a planning nut, I screen shot directions for getting from the Visitor’s Center to Clingmans Dome. I’m glad I did because I lost cell service for a good portion of the drive. So, you may want to do the same or keep a good ole trusty paper map handy. There are signs along the way, but with my ability to get lost I liked having the directions saved in my photos just in case.
Have you been to the Smoky Mountains? If so, tell me in the comments about your must-see part of the park ❤️