The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the southeastern United States is the most-visited national park in the country, reaching approximately 12 million annual visitors. This natural treasure is one of the most beautiful sights to see in all of the fifty states.
Are you pressed for time or looking to just see the best of the best of this magical park? Here are three spots that you should definitely add to your list.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is possibly the most scenic and spectacular spot of the park, where a small, isolated valley is tucked in between the tall peaks of the mountain range. Here, you can find many animals such as deer and black bears ambling along the grassy meadows and small streams of this verdant paradise.
Laurel Falls
Laurel Falls is an eighty foot-tall cascade that is accessible by an easy 3-mile hike. Here, you can observe as the mountain water cascades down into a pool, where you can get in to cool off after your trek to the falls.
Chimney Tops
Chimney Tops is one of the more unique mountains in the park, where a metamorphic rock capstone juts out from the rest of the mountain to create a peak at nearly 5,000 feet. One of the few bare knobs in the park, more experienced climbers can make the trek to the top to see an impressive panoramic view.