Every autumn travelers journey to the Smoky Mountains from all over the world to experience the crisp air, comfortable temperatures and fall foliage. Affectionately called “leaf peepers,” these visitors seek the best and brightest leaves of the season, stay in the coziest inns and eat popular local cuisine, all at the best rates. Planning a relaxing fall trip isn’t out of reach or overly-complicated. It’s possible to organize an exciting fall adventure at the touch of a button with mobile devices like the 4G LTE iPhone 6, iPad Air 3 or Samsung Galaxy S6.
“Many people take advantage of long weekends for these fall trips, and a lot of times, those weekends go by faster than expected,” says Nathan Waddell, director of sales in Tennessee. “Travelers have to make the most of their time, and with today’s mobile devices and a reliable 4G LTE with national coverage like U.S. Cellular’s, they can be well informed instantly.”
Whatever the reason people travel or wherever they go, studies show that mobile devices are becoming a prominent travel resource. According to a recent U.S. Cellular Better Moments Survey, 23 percent of mobile customers booked airline tickets , and 35 percent of smartphone users used their mobile devices to book hotel reservations. Forty-four percent used smartphones to coordinate plans with others.
To help plan a great fall trip, the experts at U.S. Cellular recommend the following web sites and apps:
Great Smoky Mountains app: With a park map and information about picnic spots and restrooms, this is a perfect app to use when planning your day in the National Park. It includes the official guide book to the Smoky Mountains, too.
AllTrails (iOS, Android — Free): This app is for outdoorsy travelers looking to be on the trail seeing the foliage up close. Featuring 50,000 trail guides in the U.S. and Canada alone, smartphone users will know where to go whether they’re seeking a grueling mountain bike ride, or a kid-friendly hiking trail. Filter trails by activity and location and get reviews by fellow leaf peepers. Trailblazers can even create new trails with GPS tracking, photos and text.
TripAdvisor (iOS, Android — Free): This comprehensive app lets users find reviews for all facets of travel, including airfare, bed and breakfast reservations and restaurants. Including over two million reviews by fellow travelers, everyone – singles, families and retirees – can experience and share the best East Tennessee has to offer.
Flickr (iOS, Android — Free): iOS and Android users can both accentuate the fall colors in their pictures with a wide variety of editing tools, like filters, contrast, and color balance. Take a video or picture and share the experience with friends and family.
“Seeing fall foliage, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, or having a late-season stay in Townsend, can be enhanced with the right information at the right time,” says Waddell. “With U.S. Cellular’s nationwide coverage, you can catch the best wind, find a hayride and see the best colors without getting stuck in the rain.”
Category: Activities
Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing
Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing is an ideal way to spend an afternoon with over 2100 miles of rivers and streams running through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and year-round open waters. We welcome everyone to come and enjoy the solitude and peace of a little fishing on the river.
What You Need to Know
- Permits – Obtain a fishing license to fly fish in the Smokies. Anyone over the age of 13 can find a license that can be purchased in nearby towns or purchased online. The park allows fishing on all streams from thirty minutes before official sunrise until thirty minutes after official sunset.
- Quantity Limits – Five (5) brook, rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combination of these in possession, whether fresh, stored in ice, or otherwise preserved.
- Size Limits – Brook, rainbow, and brown trout must be a 7-inch minimum. Smallmouth bass must be a 7-inch minimum.
- Safety – Because of changing water levels and currents, slippery rocks, and water temperature, standing and wading in streams can be dangerous. Pay attention to the changing water conditions to avoid hypothermia and slick footing.
- Water Temperature – The water temperature is the single most defining condition to determine the level of fish and aquatic insect activity. Because most insect activity decreases during colder months, few fish are feeding. Most experienced anglers agree when the perfect conditions for great fishing are once the water temperatures reach 58 degrees.
- Manners – Be a clean fisherman by taking everything you brought into the park back out with you. Moving rocks to form channels and dams is illegal and harmful to both fish and aquatic insects living in our streams.
Equipment Needed
- The best rods to use in the Smokies are 3wt, 4wt, 5wt, or 6wt rods in 7′ to 8.5′ in length. A longer length rod will make controlling your line less difficult.
- Only permitted to use artificial flies with a single hook, either nymphs or dry flies. You can use dropper flies and can only have up to two flies on a leader.
- Most anglers choose not to use waders but instead use felt-soled wading boots, or sandals because of slick and uneven stream beds.
- Dress in colors like green and brown to blend in with your environment and prevent skittish trout from avoiding your fishing spot. We also recommend a light rain jacket due to the wet nature of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, regardless of the forecast.
- Wearing polarized sunglasses (in amber, copper, or brown) will help cut the water glare and improve your chances of catching a fish.
Where to Fish
You can find miles of quality fishing readily available, from remote, headwater trout streams to large, cool-water smallmouth bass streams. The Little River is one of the largest streams in the Smokies and is right off of Little River Road, connecting Townsend and Gatlinburg. Little River splits into five distinct sections: Little River above the Elkmont Campground, Little River above Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Little River below the Sinks, Little River through Townsend, and Little River below Townsend. Once the river leaves the boundaries of the park, it takes on a different nature, and fishing regulations change.
Middle Prong, along Tremont Road, is an active stream to fish and is easily accessible. West Prong is a smaller stream but offers lots of eager rainbow trout. It is usually one of the first streams available after a heavy storm. Abrams Falls is also a popular stream for fly fishing and can be found just inside Cades Cove. Another popular section is the “Horseshoe” but takes a full day to fish, so you will need to prepare for at least 8 hours and will not be able to bail out midway through.
Extensive maps and guidebooks can be found in most local outfitters in the area, or you can look online. Check out the following guide for more ideas: Fly-Fishing Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains by Don Kirk.
Just Learning
Smoky Mountain fly fishing isn’t just an adventure for experienced anglers. Several local businesses offer lessons and guided tours, but because of the ongoing pandemic, limited times and attendance vary among businesses. A great place to start your search for local guidance is through our friends Little River Outfitters.
Smoky Mountain Lights: A Peaceful Side Christmas Experience
It is Christmastime in the Smokies, and this year, the Peaceful Side has a new holiday experience for the whole family. Smoky Mountain Lights is a drive-thru light show located at the Townsend Visitor Center. This Christmas light display embraces all things Smoky Mountain so that you can expect bears and camping and bigfoot; oh my! It will also feature some of your Peaceful Side favorites, like the old mill, the Jeep Outpost, and the hot air balloon festival.
Christmas Village
Along with the Smoky Mountain Light show, you can also visit and explore the Christmas Village next door. Guests can find unique gifts in the local vendor booths, enjoy hot chocolate and kettle corn, or grab some grub at one of our food trucks. While you are rediscovering that old fashion Christmas in the Smokies, remember to take family pictures in front of the giant Christmas tree.
Photos with Santa
What Christmas would be complete without a visit with Santa Clause? Each weekend throughout the holidays, Santa will be available for pictures. To ensure he received a warm Peaceful Side welcome, our own Tennessee native chainsaw artist, Bubba Daniel, has carved Santa a distinctive Smoky Mountain throne to keep him comfortable.
Event Details
- Smoky Mountain Lights is open from November 25, 2022, to January 1, 2023. Visitor hours begin at 5:00 pm and closes at 10:00 pm.
- Located at the Townsend Visitor Center, which is easily accessible for visitors traveling to the area, situated 30 minutes from the Tyson McGee airport, with direct access from the major interstates.
- All ages are welcome, and entry is $25 per car.
As the inaugural event, Kim Mitchell, the director of tourism for the Blount Partnership, looks forward to sharing this light show with both residents and visitors to the area.
“Townsend is a beautiful winter destination with stunning scenery and plenty of activities. And with the light show, we want to offer a fun holiday event while sharing what the area has to offer this time of year,” said Mitchell. “The area is growing, and there are new places to visit while enjoying the Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains, like Company Distilling, Peaceful Side Social, and Towns End Coffee Co. While families experience the Smoky Mountain Lights, we recommend they check out the other great venues and attractions Townsend offers.”
Smoky Mountain Lights is an addition to the area that will encourage more visitors during the holiday travel season. Townsend is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National park. It offers a tranquil getaway to escape the holiday hustle with numerous options for family-friendly activities during the winter season. Townsend is the home of award-winning, sold-out festivals like Grains & Grits, the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Bigfoot Festival, and the Scottish Festival, to name a few. We’re excited to have a Smoky Mountain Christmas event join the list of high-caliber entertainment celebrating the area’s heritage.
Visit smokymountain.org to learn more about planning your winter trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
For more winter fun on the Peaceful Side, check out these past blog posts:
Snow in the Smokies
Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses
Smoky Mountain Spelunking at Tuckaleechee Caverns
If you are looking for a break from the warm summer weather while vacationing in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, let us recommend a trip to Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, TN. It is true the gorgeous mountain trees will give you ample shade during your hikes, and the refreshing river water will cool your feet while you splash in the water like you did when you were a kid, you will still surely find yourself working up a sweat and looking for a brief escape from the heat. What better place to cool down than the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies,” where the average temperature is a comfortable 58 degrees year-round?
Tuckaleechee Caverns has a deep history in Tennessee Mountains. The cave system itself dates back twenty – thirty million years, but the first recorded discovery took place approximately 100 years ago by two young boys named Bill Vananda and Harry Myers, as they played at the mouth of the cave as children. But it wasn’t until their time at Maryville College when they started tossing around the idea of re-opening the cave for the public in 1954, that this national landmark became such a significant turning point in their lives. The cave had been opened briefly for the public in 1939, but because of the depression, it closed after only a year. Unable to find financing for their endeavor, Mr. Vananda and Mr. Myers traveled to Alaska on a work expedition to raise money, finally opening for the public in 1953.
Only a year after they opened to the public, the National Speleological Society discovered what is now called the “Big Room,” which is 400 feet long, 300 feet across, and 150 feet deep; that’s big enough to fit a football stadium in the space. The newest discovery was a waterfall which is 210 feet tall from top to bottom, making it the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern United States. Both of these spaces are open to the public and can be seen during your 1.25-mile round trip adventure.
However, Tuckaleechee Caverns offers a lot more to our country than it’s beauty and magnitude alone. It houses the most sensitive seismic station on Earth. The seismic station was originally installed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as they began construction on Norris Dam, to monitor how the water displacement affected tectonic plates. After the US Military realized how accurate and precise the station was able to track the global tectonic movement all around the Earth during the Cuban Missle Crisis, they began upgrading equipment to help detect other nuclear activity across the globe. Currently, the Tuckaleechee Caverns AS107 seismic station is monitored 24/7 and transmits via satellite to the Department of Defense, US Military, Geneva Switzerland, Vienna Austria, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Pentagon. It is has been able to detect nuclear testing in North Korea, as well as monitor earthquake activity as far away as the Great Sendai Earthquake, which caused the massive tsunami that hit Fukushima, Japan. Please take a moment during your tour of the cave to check out this insightful data.
Voted the highest-ranking cave or cavern of the Eastern United States, Tuckaleechee Caverns is a great all-weather option for your Smoky Mountain Vacation. The cave is open from March to November and will give your family a great escape from the summer heat or one of those pesky pop-up thunderstorms for which East Tennessee is known. It will not only give you a break from the weather but will also give you a unique glimpse beneath the mountains and into a national treasure!
For other adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains, check out the blog posts below.
Make the Peaceful Side of the Smokies Your Home Base for Smoky Mountain Adventures
Have Small Kids with You? Check Out These 3 Hikes, Suitable for the Little Ones
Next to Heaven Ranch Offers Horseback Rides and Zipline Adventures
Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop
Life sure has thrown us some curveballs over the past couple of weeks. With the constant stream of worst-case scenarios finding their way into our newsfeed, sometimes you need to slow down and let the power of nature heal your soul. Join us at the Spring Photography Workshop at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and accomplish both. Unlike many photography workshops, their price includes meals, lodging, and instruction by one of the finest teams of photography instructors anywhere in the country. Celebrate the beauty of life while improving your nature photography skills this spring. Our instructors will teach you new methods, help you discover a new side of the Smoky Mountains. Capture the beauty of the mountains, while meandering through the forests looking for wildflowers, and streams.
Photo by Bud Snihall
Smoky Mountain Photography Workshop Details
Who: Calling All Photographers
What: Spring Photography Workshop
Where: Tremont Institute, 9275 Tremont Rd., Townsend, TN 37882
When: April 24, 2020 – April 27, 2020. Plan to arrive on Friday between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm for Check-In. Dinner begins at 6:00 pm. Beginning at 3:00, there will be an optional early session for those who arrive early. After the weekend workshop, the program ends on Monday following an optional late morning presentation.
Cost: $708
Equipment Needed: Participants should bring their own cameras, but laptop computers (installed with Adobe Photoshop CS6) are available for $50 (payable to GSMIT). Requests for laptops must be made no later than two weeks before the start of the workshop.
How to Register: Anyone interested in participating in the workshop can click on the Spring Photography Workshop link above or call their office at 865-4498-6709.
Photo by Susan Milinkovich
Instructors
Lead Instructor
Bill Lea is a nationally recognized nature photographer, most known for his artistic documentation of various deer and bear behavior in the Great Smoky Mountains and southern ecosystems. He has written several photography books, and over 7000 of his photos have appeared in a variety of publications, including Audobon calendars, BBC Wildlife, Defenders of Wildlife, National Geographic, Nature Conservancy, and National Wildlife. His latest book, Cades Cove: Window to a Secret World, is in its fourth printing.
Assistant Photographers
Tom Vadnais
Todd Moore – www.naturephotog.com
Jeff Miller – www.mountainlens.com
Susan Milinkovich – www.susanmilinkovich.com
Steve Zigler – www.stevezigler.com
Photo by Susan Milinkovich
Photography Workshop Overview
Bill has taught this annual workshop since 1992, which emphasizes wildlife, landscape, and macro photography. His team of instructors helps tailor each program to meet individual interests and skill levels with plenty of one-on-one instruction. Field sessions and lectures will cover the use of light, composition, and equipment. The workshop includes lodging at the Tremont Institute and meals throughout the event.
Photo by Val Weston
Note: Feature Photo by Jane Palmer
For more exciting ways to experience the Spring in the Smokies, start here:
Start Planning Your Spring Trip
Springtime in the Smokies is one of the most beautiful times of the year, so this is the perfect time to start planning your spring trip. Whether you want to four-wheel in the mountains or cozy up with the family in a cabin- we’ve got ideas to ensure you make the most of your time here.
The Adventurous Spring Breaker
Bouldering in the Smokies
What is Bouldering? It’s a form of free climbing performed on small rock formations without the use of ropes or harnesses. An ideal place for bouldering on the Peaceful Side is Look Rock, off Foothills Parkway. The climbing options are short, with the difficulty level topping out at about 5.10. In total, you will find five climbs at Look Rock; 40% boulder (below Look Rock Tower) and 60% top rope. This sandstone crag is the perfect spot to refine your skills or learn your ropes for traditional rock climbing. With amazing views and parking close by, this is a superb spot for a day’s adventure.
UTV/Motorcycle Rentals
Experience your spring trip through the Smokies with the wind in your hair. Rent a Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), Slingshot, or motorcycle for a scenic drive through Cades Cove, River Road, or the infamous Tail of the Dragon. Go off-roading
Rental Information
- Wolf’s Creek Motorsport Rental (motorcycle and slingshot rentals)
- Rocky Top Adventure Rentals (rock crawler, slingshot, and Jeep rentals)
- Harley Davidson (motorcycle rentals)
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
This outdoor resort has accommodations for every kind of nature lover. Whether you need nothing more than a tent and a campsite or prefer to sleep in the comforts of a cabin, Little Arrow has you covered. There are campsite spots for tent campers and RV owners. Or folks who enjoy their outdoor living in a little more luxury, glamping tents, tiny houses, and cabins are available.
Family Trip Ideas
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Journey 150 feet underground to see the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern United States at Tuckaleechee Caverns. The Caverns are open March – November and a great all-weather option for your Smoky Mountain Vacation.
Biking
Vee Hollow is a new addition to the Peaceful Side, offering 14 miles of biking trails at the base of the Smoky Mountains. The trails are open year-round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, with trail ratings from beginner to expert. This bike trail is a must-do while planning your spring trip.
Cades Cove is a lush, isolated area surrounded by 4000-foot mountains. One of the best ways to see the park is to hop on a bike and ride around with the family. The bike paths are as smooth as the views are rugged and there’s always so much to see
Horseback Riding
The Peaceful Side offers riding experiences for first-time riders and seasoned riders who want to bring their horses to the Smokies. Experience the trails in much the same manner as the early explorers did when they first discovered the area by traversing the trails on horseback. See below for local riding stables and lodging that includes stables for your horse.
- Camp Lamon Short Term Campground & Horse Boarding
- Orchard Cove Stables
- Twin Valley Bed & Breakfast Horse Ranch
- Country Manor Acres
- Cades Cove Riding Stables
- Davy Crockett Riding Stables
- Hidden Hollow Farm
- Gilbertson’s Lazy Horse Retreat
Cabin Rentals
The Peaceful Side of the Smokies has perfect cabin rentals for all family sizes and budgets. You can find cabins with breathtaking mountain views, places along the Little River, or secluded lakeside retreats. We’ve listed several popular cabin rentals to get you started for the perfect family trip.
Rental Information
- Little River Tiny House
- Black Bear Hollow Cabin Rentals
- Dancing Bear Lodge
- Dogwood Cabins
- Little River Log Cabins
- Mountain Mist Cabins
- Old Smoky Mountain Cabins
- Smoky Cabins
Find a complete list of cabin rentals in our Townsend Vacation Guide.
Whether young or old, traveling alone or with family, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is the perfect place to plan your next spring trip. We look forward to seeing you this Spring! Until then, check out the blogs below for more spring planning ideas:
Visit These 3 Picnics Spots in the Smoky Mountains This Spring
The Fish are Biting in the Smokies’ Many Streams and Rivers
Super Day Trip Idea: Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures in Townsend, TN
Are you looking for your next great day trip idea? There are plenty of things to do in the Townsend, TN area, but none can quite equal the fun of spending the day at Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures. This ranch offers great family fun and spectacular mountain views that are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Next to Heaven is the only ranch to offer unguided horseback rides and zipline rides.
The Zipline
Rather than start with the horseback rides, let’s take a quick (no pun intended) look at the ziplines. The zipline at Next to Heaven is listed as one of the longest in the Smokies with 9 different lines to choose from that will take you soaring out of the trees while you enjoy incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The staff will help get you outfitted with a helmet, a harness, and anything else you need. After filling you in on the instructions and rules, off you go. This is your chance to soar over the trees, taking in the incredible fresh Smoky Mountain air as you fly free as a bird. This may be one of the most amazing adventures you and your family will ever have.
Now for the Horse Rides
At Next to Heaven, you can enjoy the only hour-long unguided horseback rides in the Great Smokies. The 7-mile trail winds through some 45 acres of what many describe as the most beautiful scenery in the Smokies. Along the ride, you come across overlooks that let you see seven different mountain ranges. Depending on the weather, you can see all the way to North Carolina.
The staff will fit each member of your party with a horse that matches them for size and riding ability. Once you take off, you get the chance to see the local flora and fauna along with wildlife in a way that can only be seen at the slow but steady pace of being on a horse. Capture the moment with pictures, videos, or simply drink in the Zen-like experience with as much of the fresh mountain air as your lungs can handle.
Immerse yourself in the experience and let the peace and quiet wash your stress away, even if only for an hour. The ride to the top of the mountain is nothing short of amazing, but when you reach the top, you can truly see what can only be described as “some of God’s greatest work.” Enjoy the ride from atop Appy, Big Red, Stormy, Dakota, or one of the other very gentle horses and create memories your family will never forget. You can even take your little ones for the ride by placing them in front of you, giving them the thrill of a lifetime.
No matter what else you pack along with you, be sure to pack a camera so you can create a separate album covering the fun you had at the Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures. Be sure to book early as this is a very popular attraction in Townsend, TN. Contact the ranch at (865) 448-6947 for more information and to book your adventure.
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
East Tennesseans who live near the Smoky Mountains know their home is a special place. This area is so special, in fact, that it hosts one of the rarest sights in the world: synchronous fireflies in the Smokies. Every year, this species of firefly gathers in the Smokies for their two-week mating season in late spring. At the peak of their season, these fireflies can be seen blinking in synchronicity.
The flashes of bioluminescence emitted by lightning bugs are essential to their mating ritual. The males flash to the females, who may or may not flash in response. During this special time, though, all males and females of this species flash together in mass. No one knows for sure what makes synchronous fireflies behave this way, but the effect is truly awesome—hundreds of individuals acting in harmony. Perhaps the mystery of it is what draws so many people year after year.
A few weeks before the event, the National Parks Service distributes a limited number of advanced parking tickets online. However, as in the case of this year, the tickets are gone the instant they go on sale. For those who miss out, there are 85 passes that can be reserved starting at 10:00 a.m. the day before you wish to attend by going to www.recreation.gov or calling (877) 444-6777. Again though, these disappear faster than the flash of a lightning bug, so plan ahead.
And yes, this spectacle is worth every bit of the mania it takes to get a pass.
The lucky few who get their hands on a ticket must park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and ride a shuttle to the Elkmont viewing area after sundown. This year, the synchronous fireflies can be seen from Tuesday, June 2, through Tuesday, June 8.
Because viewers will be walking around in the woods after dark, some may want to bring a flashlight. However, if you do, be sure to cover it with blue or red cellophane, and point it directly toward the ground and only when you’re walking to your selected viewing spot. Once you are settled, turn off the artificial light and revel in nature’s light show, an experience that is nothing short of magical.
Take the Kids to a Real Drive-In Theater in Maryville, Tennessee
Remember the days when Saturday nights meant the latest movie showing at the drive-in? There was once a time when just about every town large enough to have a drive-in theater had one. It was the way America took the family out for a low-cost night of entertainment. The smell of the popcorn, hot dogs sizzling on the grills behind the booth, and the scratchy sound of the window speakers. Ah, such wonderful memories. Sadly, in most parts of the country, those days are long gone, as drive-ins are few and far between these days.
Guess What? – It’s Movie Time in Maryville, TN
While drive-in theaters may be gone in most of the country, you can still introduce your kids to the same level of excitement you enjoyed as a kid. Here in Maryville, TN, you can still pile everyone in the car and head to the Parkway Drive-In. Here, you can enjoy some of the latest movies with double-features showing every Friday and Saturday night and some Sunday nights.
Many of the movies shown are rated PG or PG-13 so you can bring the whole family. Prices are extremely reasonable at only $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5 through 12, and kids 4 and under are free. There is room for up to 400 cars. Once the theater reaches maximum capacity, the gates are closed and no one else is allowed to enter. To make it more enjoyable and safe for everyone, they do not allow walk-ins.
Your Kids Are Going to Love the Experience
Make your first visit to the Parkway Drive-In with the kids a big surprise. Pile them in the car and simply tell them you have a really cool surprise for them. Imagine their faces when you pull up to the gates! It doesn’t matter whether the weather is warm and dry or chilly and rainy, the shows always go on and start at dusk or dark.
Remember those scratchy speakers you used to hang on your window? Luckily, those days are long gone. Today, the Parkway Drive-In broadcasts the entire soundtrack via FM radio so you can listen to it from your car stereo. Alternatively, you can rent an FM radio at the concessions booth.
With an FM broadcast, you can tune in on a portable FM radio and sit outside on blankets and chairs as long as you stay within your dedicated space. Don’t forget the concession stand, loaded with burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn, and more. There are plenty of goodies to treat your kids (and yourself!) with to create a great night out at the movies.
What are you waiting for? Load up the kids and take them out to experience a real part of American history: Saturday night at the drive-in movies. Remember to check the website frequently to see what movies are playing and pack a few blankets to sit on for a great night out with the family.
The Best Winter Views in the Smokies
It is fair to say that one of the best winter views you can enjoy while visiting the Smokies during the colder weather is the sight of your crackling fire roaring happily away in your cabin’s fireplace. Tucked into a cozy chair, surrounded by family or friends, and gazing out at the majestic winter landscape is probably one of the finest ways to relax and recharge this winter.
However tempting it might be to spend your entire visit inside by the fire, you should also head out into the surroundings and enjoy the unprecedented beauty that is the Smokies in winter. There are frozen waterfalls that you can reach in your car, popular spots now free of summer crowds and blanketed in a peaceful drift of snow, and the mountains themselves, which look entirely different in the winter months.
And if the idea of heading out in a car makes you think you might miss something, think again. CNN picked the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one of the finest winter drives in the entire United States. So, just opting to pay a visit to the park can provide you with plenty of photo opportunities and show-stopping views.
Holiday Lights in the Smokies
From late November and until the turn of the New Year, the entire region is full of holiday lights. Known formally as Winterfest, it is a celebration of the season and between Sevierville, Townsend, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, there are more than five million little twinkle lights glimmering. There are self-guided driving tours to enjoy, walks through towns, parades, and so much more. Booking a visit in this period can offer some of the most amazing views imaginable. If you prefer all-natural views, consider some of these options:
Newfound Gap Road
Running from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC, the road has a wide array of spots to pull over and snap photos. It is busier in the summer months, and so a winter drive is super enjoyable because you can spend longer stretches at each stop, drive a more comfortable pace and really savor the scenery. If you are particularly hardy, the parking area for the Appalachian Trail access offers truly stunning sunrise photos, and at the northern end of the road, you get great views of the Little Pigeon River, and the Oconaluftee River at the southern end.
Cades Cove in the winter
Long noted as the most popular part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is also a place where loads of local wildlife is frequently spotted – even in the winter months.
The 11-mile loop is one of the most scenic and there are lots of spots to pull over. With the leaves down for the season, you can see a lot of the old homes, mills, barns and churches normally concealed from sight!
Frozen Waterfalls in the Smokies
In the park and throughout the area, you can find many waterfalls reachable by car, including:
- Meigs Falls
- The Sinks
- Place of a Thousand Drips
Frozen by winter’s chill, they can offer some of the most stunningly beautiful views you will ever see, and which are only possible thanks to the changing seasons.
You might also want to head to Ober Gatlinburg to go to the top of the mountain, take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, or enjoy the views from your own private cabin. Wherever you look, it is sure that the Smokies offer something appealing and beautiful to behold.
The Fish are Biting in Blount County's Many Rivers, Streams and Lakes
The quality of the fishing in Eastern Tennessee is famous. It’s not just good in the summer, either; people successfully dip their lines in the water all year round, in all weather conditions. Decide whether you’re a boat fisherman or a bank fisherman (or both!) and check out some of the hot spots below when you’re looking to feel a nibble on the end of your fishing rod or nab a new record.
Chilhowee Lake
If you haven’t heard the news yet, now is the time to get out on the water and make up for lost time. Chilhowee Lake was closed for 2 years so that repairs could be performed on the Chilhowee Dam, but as of summer 2017, the lake was reopened. In the past, it’s been stocked with crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, trout, and redear sunfish, as well as walleye and smallmouth bass.
The lake is bordered by both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest, so you’re guaranteed a beautiful view, one well worth appreciating the next time you find yourself with a day free of obligations and unbeatable weather.
The Little River
Once featured in a “Guide to America’s 100 Best Trout Streams,” published in Trout Unlimited magazine, the Little River is more than just a spot for great tubing. Expect tons of native brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout, as well as some small- and largemouth bass. The Little River is the most popular fishing destination in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and once you start fishing, you’ll see why!
There are three sections to the Little River: the East, Middle, and West Prongs. The West Prong of the Little River is famous for being a particularly successful spot.
Fort Loudon Dam Tailwaters
For area fishermen and women, much is owed to the effects of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s hydroelectric dams. They create lakes and “tailwaters,” or pools and fisheries, just downstream from wherever they operate, and this makes for some unique fishing opportunities. Anglers in the Fort Loudon Dam should be aware that catfishing is strictly catch-and-release, but other species, including crappie and sauger, are fair game for a dinner plate.
Don’t Miss These Creeks
A number of creeks in Blount County shouldn’t be ignored just because they’re smaller. Anglers have grabbed meals from Beard Cane Creek, Cane Creek, Hessee Creek, Laurel Creek, the Lynn Camp Prong, Marks Creek, Meigs Creek, Parson Branch, Sams Creek, and Thunderhead Prong, so make sure to include a few of those on your fishing bucket list.
Make Your Fishing Plans Now!
You may be able to fish in all weather conditions, but that doesn’t mean certain seasons aren’t better than others. Check to make sure you’ve got the right fishing licenses, put up the “Gone Fishin’” sign, and head out to the water in Blount County the next chance you get!
The Smoky Mountains are Harley-Davidson Paradise
Would a ride through the Tail of the Dragon, with its 318 consecutive banked curves in 11 miles, get your blood pumping? Or maybe a trip on the Cherohala Skyway, a road featured as one of Discovery Channel’s Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in North America, is more your style. Why not plan the ultimate ride and add the Blue Ridge Parkway and a stop to admire the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountain National Park to your trip? Riders from all over the world have said there is no better place to ride than the Smoky Mountains. So, when owner Scott Maddox decided to turn his love of music and motorcycles into a full-on destination experience, he knew Maryville, Tennessee would be the perfect hub for his Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson Dealership. As the #1 Harley-Davidson Dealership in the world in 2017, it is safe to say the experience they have created is second to none.
Nestled in the valley of the Smokies, this is not your typical Harley dealership. The Retail Showroom stuns with its locally sourced building materials, a massive inventory of bikes, and all the motor clothes a biker’s heart can imagine. The extensive Parts Department carries everything from engine kits, audio, and electronics to bags, luggage, racks, helmets, and more. With worldwide visitors, the Service Team understands the importance of getting travelers back on the road in a hurry. Whether you run into technical problems, tire issues, need simple maintenance, or want to upgrade accessories, they are available seven days a week. (Appointments are preferable, but they understand unexpected needs arise for travelers.) To learn your way around a bike and take a full course to get your motorcycle license, they also offer a Riders Academy. Check out their website at www.smh-d.com for more dealership information.
For those coming from long distances, who want to ride, but can’t bring their bikes, they also partner with Eagle Rider, making bike rental an easy process. Project Ride More is a program where they have staff on board to lead group rides several times a week. The rides are open to anyone who wants to join; just show up the day of the journey with a bike and a sense of adventure. Ride sizes vary, from groups as small as 5-6 bikes up to larger groups of 30-50 bikes. Scheduled rides generally stay within a 100-mile radius, with a variety of shorter or full-day ventures. Find a complete ride schedule at www.smh-d.com.
In conjunction with the dealership side of Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, they also have an award-winning restaurant and concert venue called The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint. The restaurant offers delicious East Tennessee BBQ smoked on the premise, freshly prepared sides, cocktails, and cold beer, for lunch and early dinner, seven days a week. Not to be outdone by the showroom and smokehouse, the concert venue has a huge stage, state of the art sound rig and lighting, and holds a sold-out crowd of 2000 concert goers. They pride themselves in booking shows with artists on the verge of stardom like Brent Cobb, or top acts like Old Crow Medicine Show and Jamey Johnson. The Shed introduced artists like Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell to East Tennessee well before they were household names. Concerts are scheduled every Saturday, from April through September, with encore shows and local/regional artists playing on Thursdays and Fridays. For concert schedules and ticket information, please go to www.theshedtickets.com.
On your next trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, be sure to stop in at SMOKY MOUNTAIN HARLEY-DAVIDSON – 1820 W. LAMAR ALEXANDER PKWY, MARYVILLE, TN 37801 and immerse yourself into a little slice of Harley-Davidson Paradise!
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