Top 5 Tips for Hiking in the Smokies

It’s officially the season of hot apple cider, warm blankets, and pumpkin patches. It’s also the season for fall festivals, and the Smoky Mountain area is full of them!

Here are three festivals you can enjoy while on your Smoky Mountain vacation.

1. Dollywood Harvest Festival

If you love Dollywood and the fall season then you won’t want to miss this event! From early September to late October this annual celebration marks the best weather and some beautiful fall foliage in the Smokies. Stay late into the evening to see beautifully carved pumpkins, lit up and on display. During the day you’ll enjoy fall themed food, and colorful leaves all throughout the park.

2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

In early to mid October the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair heads into full swing. Artisans from across the country gather to peddle their wares while musicians serenade the crowds. You’ll see everything from woodworking and pottery to handcrafted jewelry and leatherworkings. If you have an appreciation for handmade goods then this event is for you.

3. Wears Valley Fall Festival

The Wears Valley Fall Festival takes place in mid October and is a favorite event for locals. Come experience the hundreds of vendors, melodic live music, and incredible Southern cuisine. If you’re interested in a true rustic, Appalachian festival with plenty to do and see for the whole family, then this one is for you.

No matter the festival you choose you’ll need a place to stay. Choose from one of our many options at Bear Camp Cabin Rentals today!

Hiking In the Smokies Tips for Success

Adventurers, thrill-seekers, wanderlusts, sightseers and nature children take note - the Smoky Mountains are your paradise on Earth. Within the National Park's 522,000+ acres (that's over 800 square miles!) of federally protected land are more hiking trails, walking paths and exploration possibilities than you could accomplish in a year's time! There is something for everyone amongst the hills and woods for trekkers of all sizes, skills and ages - from families with very small youngsters in tow and those who just want a quiet walk amongst the glory of God's creation to those who eat red clay for breakfast and want a challenge. In this article we'll give you some tips for hiking in the Smokies as well as resources for trails and other worthy info to digest on the subject. Let us take a look:

Get smart and be prepared! The hiking trails are generally pretty safe and reports of people injured or lost per year are few in number, but don't underestimate it all the same. Bring food, water, sunblock, jackets, proper footwear (preferably footwear that is slip-proof or slip-resistant as the rocks and trails can get slippery) flashlight and maybe even a small first-aid kit just in case.

If driving clear across the county (and then some) to find a selection of hiking trails isn't on the menu for this trip, consider sticking to Newfound Gap Road. Newfound Gap Road is the road that connects from the Gatlinburg Bypass directly to Cherokee, North Carolina - it has the Sugarlands Visitors Center on it, the Tennessee National Park headquarters, over a dozen stops for views and more than a handful of hiking trails. It even has the famous Rockefeller Memorial where President FDR spoke in 1940 when the park was dedicated. Well worth considering.

Definitely bring your best camera and get ready to shoot some photos or film, because the views you'll experience are unlike anything else you're likely to see in this world. From the waterfalls and tops of the cliffs to the wildlife that are VERY present around the trails. Yes, there is a half decent chance you'll see deer and black bears, among others, along the trails and as long as you keep your distance and don't bother or feed them, they'll just be another part of the atmosphere.

If you're not sure where to go, how to start or need some quality hiking supplies before venturing, the Smoky Mountains have several stores available that will provide all the information you need and practically everything you want for your trip. Hiking stores in the Smokies include:

Orvis

Hikey Mikey

Coleman Outlet Pigeon Forge

GSM Outfitters

Day Hiker

Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg

You could also consider a scavenger hike while in the Smokies! Check out the Scavenger Hike Adventures book by Kat and John LaFevre where it lists all kinds of awesome "hidden treasures" during your hikes. These include landmarks, views, oddities and more items that will make your trips memorable. See more on this book at Scavenger Hike Adventures

We hope this is a good start towards getting you interested in gearing up and trekking the hills here in East Tennessee! Be safe, take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints, and you'll have an awesome time here!

More useful information: