Hiking can be a refreshing experience that can put you back in high spirits and energize you for the year. Not just physically, but it can be great for mental health as well. And if you are looking for any dream destinations this time of the year, then the Great Smoky Mountains is a great choice.
The beautiful mountain ranges along the Tennessee-North Carolina border gives you the most mesmerizing feel. This gem of a destination in the Southeastern US is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. Locals and internationals turn to them in large numbers to break the exhausting cycle of life and relax almost every year. But while as fun as it sounds, you should know that you can start regretting it if you go unprepared.
To make sure that doesn’t happen and you make the most of your visit, here are some tips for exploring the beauty of the great smoky mountains. These will help you stay on track instead of aimless wandering until you drop dead.
1. FIND A SUITABLE PLACE TO STAY
Even if you take camps and camping beds along, you still can’t expect to spend all the time outside. You will need to find suitable lodging with all the amenities to put the stuff you are carrying and spend the night.
Luckily, you will find many Hotels in Gatlinburg TN, thathave already thought it through and are ready to welcome their guests. You can find these resorts with beautiful wooden structures complimenting the scenery while providing a broad range of amenities. Getting a room there will keep you from compromising the trip due to any foreseen situation that you encounter.
Once you shed all the excess weight, you can get into your hiking gear and move on to explore the mountains.
2. KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK
Your experience scale might tip lower if you don’t have everything to make you last. It is why you need to pay close attention to the items that you are packing for this trip.
Starting from the very basic, you need to pack clothes depending on the season of your visit. It is preferable to get a weather forecast of the mountains to prepare adequately. If the idea to spend a lot of time hiking, try to keep as many comfortable clothes and footwear as possible.
Besides that, a few attractive dresses won’t harm you either. You can use them to get some memorable pictures for your social media or plan dinner at fancy restaurants.
Additionally, keeping a camera, sunscreen, batteries, phone chargers, and a first aid kit is a great choice. If you have a medical condition and take regular medication, don’t forget to get a refill.
3. GET AHEAD OF THE RULES & REGULATIONS
It will help you to know about the rules and regulations of your destination, especially short-handed ones. That should let you keep a more realistic approach with your plans and stay in line to avoid any consequences.
In this particular case, you should know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24/7 without any gates or barricades and is free. Such conditions mean there aren’t many arrangements to deal with emergencies and fewer facilities. There are no stores or restaurants inside the park, so you will struggle to get any supplies if you aren’t carrying them.
On top of it, its rules about animals are strict. For instance, the parks allow having leashed dogs on specific trails in developed areas only. Or, if you don’t have a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license, say goodbye to all your fishing plans. Make sure that you know them first because neglecting them might result in some serious action against you.
4. HEAD TO THE VISITOR CENTER FIRST
Planning your activities using online information makes sense, but don’t rely on it too much. Once you are at the park, you should head to the visitor centers and get some professional insight into your surroundings.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has two of those, each with different attractions. The staff at these places can help you with your questions or connect you with the kind of help you need.
But besides that, you can find an incredible museum and theater at the Sugarlands visitor center to spend some quality time. Similarly, the attraction at the Oconaflutee visitor center is the outdoor farm museum. It will give you a taste of a typical mountain settler’s life and might send you away with a fresh perspective on life.
5. PICK AN OFF-SEASON VISIT
You might think that an off-season visit will mean less, and you will never enjoy the location in its prime. However, the more you read about the idea behind this suggestion, the more it will start to make sense.
First off, seasoned visits mean overpopulated places, difficulty finding lodging, less privacy, and more hassle. All these things can become a visitor’s nightmare and will ruin your vacation. By choosing an off-season visit, you can avoid these and make sure no one sabotages your plans.
Secondly, if you have already been to the mountains before, visiting the same place might not be that charming. However, a change of season might present them in a more serene and mesmerizing environment. That can make you fall in love with this destination all over again. And if you have never witnessed them in winters, this idea strictly applies to you.
Try experimenting this way to come up with better variations of a plan that can satisfy you. You will never know what might surprise you and make your trip worthwhile.
SUMMARY
These were some useful tips for exploring the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Be it an individual or a family; this place has everything to offer to keep their guests busy admiring the view. So if you haven’t planned for a vacation, then they should be at the top of your list this time of the year.
