Tips for Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge, TN

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is the perfect destination to lose yourself for a day or two. With a little planning and a bit of preparation, the great outdoors of the Smoky Mountains will make for a comfortable, safe getaway that everyone in the family can enjoy together. Keep the following tips in mind when planning a trip to the park:

• Visit one of the park Visitor Centers when you arrive. You?ll find valuable information, including maps, brochures, and other resources to help you plan your visit. Many centers also feature restrooms, vending machines, and other features.
  • Cades Cove Visitor Center
    • Open year-round
    • Located inside the park near the middle of Cades Cove Loop Road
  • Sugarlands Visitor Center
    • Open year-round
    • Located two miles south of Gatlinburg on US 441
  • Gatlinburg Welcome Center - Downtown
    • Open year-round
    • Located at Traffic Light #3 on the Parkway
  • Smoky Mountain Visitor Center
    • Open year-round
    • Located inside Smokies Stadium at Interstate 40, Exit 407
• Traffic around Cades Cove can be extremely busy, especially during the fall and summer months. Make plans to arrive around sunrise (except on Saturdays, when the road opens at 10 a.m.), or to bike the loop to avoid idling in traffic.
• Consider making reservations if you plan on camping in the park as campsites fill up very early during the busy months.
• Be aware that black bears call the Great Smoky Mountains National Park home. As a matter of fact, the park is home to the densest population of black bears in the country. Safeguard yourself by keeping all foods and items with strong odors (including toothpaste and soap) away from tents. Dispose of all food in bear-proof dumpsters located in the park.
• If a bear shows aggressive behavior toward you, make every effort to appear large, loud, and intimidating. If the bear is after food nearby food, back slowly away from the food. Never turn away or run from a bear.
• Use common sense when exploring the park. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, and always carry water, a flashlight, and a basic first aid kit. It?s also a good idea to always let someone know your planned route, and to always hike with at least one other person.
• The park and everything in it is protected. Please do not pick flowers, take rocks, feed or harm the animals, or otherwise disturb the natural order of the park. A common saying around the park is, "Take nothing but pictures & leave nothing but footprints."
• Be prepared for the weather. Summer often brings afternoon thunderstorms and humidity, while fall is often pleasant in the park. Snow can begin falling at high elevations as early as November, so be sure to check weather before heading to the park. Winter can be extreme in both directions, with lows at chilly as -20 in some elevations, while other days may see temperatures reach near 70. Spring often sees both extremes as well, with a mix of snow and mild weather through March.
• Make sure you have any fishing license required before arriving. Visitor Centers do not sell these licenses, although stores and businesses near the park entrance may. All anglers over the age of 12 will need a valid Tennessee fishing license.
• Although pets are not allowed on park trails, with the exception of the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail, they are allowed in developed areas of the park. Pets in these area must be on a leash at all times.