Gatlinburg TN is home to some of the best attractions in the United States, and the most exhilarating attraction of all is definitely the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Take any one of the beautiful hikes the park has to offer, and you’ll be mesmerized by what you see!
Plus, don’t forget to find out how the young folks in your family can get their Jr. Ranger Badge at the National Park, or join one of the educational programs at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont! Remember—the mountains are calling you! Here is why your family needs to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park today:
Delightful Hikes with Beautiful Scenery
One of the things families love most about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the wonderful hikes with beautiful scenery! There are hundreds of hiking trails throughout the park for all skill levels, but the most difficult task is choosing a trail! The park offers everything from wildflowers and old-growth forests to waterfalls, so be sure to research the hiking options in the park prior to your visit!
Historical Wonders to Explore
A unique aspect about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is it contains many historical wonders for your family to explore! In fact, the park has one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States! Altogether, you will find more than 90 historic structures that have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, including houses, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills. The best places to see these structures are at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Fascinating Visitor Centers
There are 4 Visitor Centers within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that make the perfect starting point for your park exploration! These visitor centers offer interesting natural history exhibits, park maps with trail guides, and the opportunity to speak to a park ranger, as well as public restrooms. Don’t miss Sugarlands Visitor Center, which is the closest visitor center to Gatlinburg, because it has free admission to a 20-minute film about the park!
Junior Ranger Programs
If you have a child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, they can become a Junior Ranger at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This is a fun activity your kids will love and provides them with an educational and interactive experience. You can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for a nominal fee at any park visitor center or at the Cades Cove or Elkmont campgrounds. Once your child has completed all of the activities in the booklet, simply stop at any visitor center, talk to a ranger and your child will receive their Junior Ranger badge! If your child wants to spend even more time learning about the Smokies, consider one of the programs at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont!
Your family is ready to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Now all you need is a place to stay. Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Gatlinburg TN today to stay close to the park entrance!