4 Cool Things You May Discover While Hiking in the Smoky Mountains
- January 20, 2022
The awesome thing about hiking in the Smokies is that you never know what amazing discovery you might find on the trails! While you can always count on spectacular scenery, you may also discover some pleasant surprises along the way! Whether you are setting off on a winter hike or planning to hit the trails during the summer, there is always something fascinating to see in the Smokies! Here are 4 cool things you may discover while hiking in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Unique Wildlife
The Smoky Mountains are a critical sanctuary for a wide variety of animals, so you can count on seeing plenty of critters during your hiking adventure! Some of the animals that you might find along your trek include white tailed deer, chipmunk, squirrels and birds. Many folks also hope to spot the most popular resident in the Smokies, the American Black Bear! Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 1,500 bears, so there is a good chance you might just see one! If you want to see animals while you’re in the Smoky Mountains, check out these top things to do for animal lovers!
2. Beautiful Waterfalls
Another one of the cool things that you may discover while hiking in the Smoky Mountains is a beautiful waterfall! There are several excellent hikes in the Smokies with waterfalls, including trails to Laurel Falls, Abrams Falls and Rainbow Falls! You also won’t want to miss Ramsey Cascades, which is the largest waterfall in the National Park! While the hike to Ramsey Cascades is 8 miles roundtrip with a 2,000 foot elevation gain, it is well worth the effort once you see the falls!
3. Fascinating Historical Structures
While the Smoky Mountains are full of natural wonders, they are also home to some fascinating historical structures! In fact, the National Park contains nearly 80 structures that have been preserved or rehabilitated! While hiking along some of the trails in the park, you may discover churches, schools, grist mills, houses and barns. One of the highest concentrations of these structures is located in the Cades Cove area of the park, so be sure to put some hikes in Cades Cove on your itinerary!
4. Stunning Mountain Views
There is nothing quite like hiking on a forest trail through the Smokies and coming across a clearing with stunning mountain views! Whether you hike during the winter to see magical snow capped peaks or in the fall to witness the colorful displays of fall foliage, you’ll always want to have your camera on hand to capture some magnificent photos! There are plenty of hikes in the Smoky Mountains with incredible mountain views, including the Alum Cave Trail, Andrews Bald Trail and Clingmans Dome Trail!
Where to Stay
Stay close to all of the fabulous hiking options in the Smokies with a stay at our affordable cabin rentals! We offer a wide variety of cabins to meet your needs, ranging from 1 bedroom cabins for couples to multi-bedrooms for large families and groups! After a strenuous hike in the mountains, you can look forward to returning to cabin amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, bubbling hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms and more!
Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to find the perfect place to relax after hiking in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you soon!
