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Fall Travel Highlights
all’s changing leaves, For the adventurous at heart, a
with their stunning reds, fun—an inexpensive—way to enjoy
oranges, and purples, both the Smoky Mountains is to campout
herald the end of summer and in the park. What’s better, the
delight the eyes. This fall, campgrounds aren’t
treat yourself to a display of one-size-fits-all. Instead, you
color like no other on earth and have a few options to choose
visit the Great Smoky Mountains from, so you can select the area
National Park. Feast your eyes on of the park that’s right for you.
the rich hues of billions of Play Lewis and Clark and trek out
leaves on over 100 different to the backcountry. You can only
species of trees as you breathe get there by foot! For those of
in the fresh, crisp autumn air. us less keen on “roughing it,”
frontcountry offers running water
Hiking the Smoky Mountains will and flush toilets. There are also
give you spectacular panoramic campgrounds that accommodate
views of the great diversity of groups of 8 and some made for
wildlife the park has to offer. folks who bring along their
There is no shortage of hiking horses.
trails. With over 800 miles of
them, you will be able to find Of course, there’s more to the
the one right for your level of Smokies than leaves. The park has
expertise. And plants aren’t the the makings of a romantic getaway
only type of wildlife you’ll for two or a trip that’s fun for
enjoy. You’re sure to spot many the whole family. Here are just a
furry critters at home in the few of the activities this
natural habitat, including deer, national park has to offer:
elk, and even the occasional
black bear! • Bicycling
• Auto tours
• Wildlife viewing learn about how the dam was
• Historical sites built, you can check out the
• Hiking visit center operated by the
• Waterfall walks Tennessee Valley Authority.
• Picnicking
Don’t forget to include Clingmans
In fact, there’s more to do in Dome in your itinerary. The dome
Smoky Mountain National Park than is the highest point in the whole
you can probably fit into one park and the highest point in all
trip. For history buffs, there’s of Tennessee. It’s a half-mile
the Mountain Farm Museum. This walk to the observation tower,
museum is actually an extensive but well worth it. At 6.643 feet,
collection of 19th century the tower offers you an unrivaled
farmhouses. Highlights include a view of the Smokies. Typically,
barn, apple house, and working you can see for about 20 miles,
blacksmith shop. Be sure to but if you’re lucky enough to be
arrive in time for one of the there on a clear day, you can see
live gardening demonstrations. as far as 100 miles.
Lesser known than Hoover, the If you need a break from nature,
Fontana Dam is also an impressive Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are
site. It’s actually the tallest near by and chock full of family
concrete dam east of the Rocky fun. There’s Dollywood, numerous
Mountains—480 feet to be exact. shows and restaurants, miniature
The dam, with a reservoir size of golf, go-karts, and the Ripley’s
11,700 acres, forms Fontana Lake, Believe it or not Aquarium, just
which provides boat access to to name a few.
more remote areas of the park. To
About the Author:
Andrea Morris is a staff writer for DiscountOnline. The latest travel discounts are at DiscountsOnline Travel and are updated regularly.
Read more articles by: Andrea Morris
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