Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the US. Last summer, we decided to take a road trip to see what all the buzz was about The park was very crowded, and I got my fair share of bug bites, but the mountains are filled with waterfalls, streams, vibrant forests, stunning rocks, and active wildlife. We went on many cool hikes that left me sore, and camping made visiting even more fun. I can see why this is the most popular national park in America. Here are a few hikes that you can't miss in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
Mount Le Conte
Summiting Mount Le Conte is one of the top-rated things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a long hike to the top, but it's an adventure all the way up there. The trail consists of caves, beautiful views, and sometimes steep drop-offs. While there are many ways to get to the summit, Alum Cave Trail is the most popular and the one we chose to do. It's an 11-mile hike, so it's not for the faint of heart. Most people turn around once they reach Alum Cave, but you'll see many hikers continuing to the top. The beginning of the hike is right along Alum Cave Creek and is relatively flat. About a mile and a half into the hike, you reach the Arch Rock, which is a staircase carved from the mountain. Next, at the 2.3-mile mark, you hit Alum Cave. This is a great spot to enjoy the view, although there are usually many people relaxing here. It's not easy to sit down and relax because of the crowd and being at a steep incline. Still, we stopped and ate some clementines and a Cliff bar. After Alum Cave, the trial starts getting more strenuous. You have to walk past huge dropoffs and the elevation continues to increase. We washed away some of our sweat with fresh water dripping down the mountainside. Once you finally reach the top, Le Conte Lodge has a bathroom and water! When we made it to the lodge, we thought the hike to the summit was over - that it would be an easy stroll to see the beautiful views. But we were wrong. From the lodge, you have to hike an additional half a mile straight up. This path is rocky and very steep. Once you finish that, you finally make it to the top. The summit was pretty crowded, but we found a spot to eat lunch while enjoying the beautiful view of the lush Smoky Mountains. Overall, it was a fun hike and an amazing view.
Ramsey Cascades
Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains and is by far my favorite hike in the park. Even though it is a well-known trail, we didn't see that many people hiking here. Elevation increases by almost 2,200 feet and the total distance is 8 miles. Getting to Ramsey Cascades is just as fun and exciting as seeing the actual waterfall because of the rugged terrains. The trail starts at a gravel road and soon takes you through the forest. Some of the trail is alongside the LIttle Pigeon River, and one of the best parts about this hike was getting to cross long and narrow footbridges over the water. About two-thirds of the way through the hike, the terrain becomes very rugged and rocky. At this point, I was already exhausted, but I had to stay alert in order to not get hurt. There are plenty of rocks to climb or hang out on. We could hear the waterfall before we could see it, and once we climbed past the last rock, it was a sight that we could never forget. The waterfall was gushing in all different directions and was pouring into a stream. There were few people at the top and it felt very secluded and private. Throughout the trial, we were able to meet a lot of great people and have friendly conversations. One couple we met said they "smelled bear" and that spooked us out, so we ended up going down a lot faster than planned. If you only have time for one hike in the Smoky Mountains, this is the one.
Rainbow Falls Trail
Adjacent to Mount Le Conte, Rainbow Falls is one of the park's most popular trails. It's easy to see why. The hike itself is not as challenging as other waterfall hikes, but the trail is still 2.7 miles uphill. The Rainbow Falls are impressive but don't expect a lot of water to cascade down from them. Parking is very limited, so be sure to go as early as possible. Once on the trail, the hike begins flat and follows alongside Le Conte Creek. Soon enough, you cross paths with plenty of switchbacks. Although most of the trail takes place in the forest, the forest suffered from wildfire damage in 2016, which makes it feel bare at times. Right before the falls, there is a stream crossing and a little waterfall about 5 feet tall. After that, you have to scramble through rocks to finally reach Rainbow Falls, which towers over the landscape. The area is usually pretty crowded, but we were able to find a more secluded place to drink water and eat a snack. This is a more relaxed, cool hike.
Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome isn't a hike per se, but a walk. A difficult walk. For some reason, we decided to do this the evening after we did the 11 mile Mount Le Conte summit. I thought it would be easy, and maybe it is if you aren't tired and sore from other hikes. But hey, that's the joy of the outdoors. Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains at 6,600 feet. To get there, you walk up a steep half-mile paved trail. The observation deck is very unique and shows beautiful views of the park that we had not yet seen in any of our other hikes. It is definitely worth the walk. Plus the architecture is awesome. It is very crowded at the top and in the parking lot, so that is something to be mindful of. We went at the worst possible time and got stuck in over an hour of construction. To make the best of the situation, we made campfire popcorn on the side of the road and snacked!
Big Creek- Midnight Hole
You can't miss out on swimming in the Smoky Mountains, right? That's what I thought too, not realizing how cold the water would be. I'm serious, the water in this swimming hole was the coldest I have ever swam in, and it was late June! I'm not going to recommend swimming here, but seeing the area is a must. Midnight Hole is a 6 feet waterfall that creates a pool. The pool is a part of the Big Creek trail. The water is crystal clear and surrounded by huge boulders, which makes it a popular place for cliff jumping. The hike to get there is 1.4 miles and is relatively flat. That was a relief after all the hiking we did. The entire trail is next to Big Creek, which is beautiful and secluded. Once you get to the swimming hole, there are usually other people there as it's a popular summer destination. It's a great place to have a picnic and relax. Further down the stream, you can find Mouse Creek Falls. We decided not to go since we were exhausted. This is a fun place to explore and is more private than other areas of the park.
What's your favorite hike in the Smoky Mountains National Park?
Happy Exploring!
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