Thank you! We are making our first trip this October to this part of the country. The details here are really helpful. Feeling much more confident about exploring the area due to your all your detailed information.
I am so glad I found this video. I live in SC so I visit the GSM frequently but have not seen a few of the places you suggest. I'll remedy that soon!!!! Thank you.
Great video. All those places are great. Other great places are Lynn Camp Prong Cascades right past Tremont. Twentymile Cascades in the Twentymile area. Big Creek and the Midnight Hole. Cataloochie. The Y near Townsend is a great swimming hole. On Little River Road you can pull over and see Meigs Falls and the Sinks. Me and my Wife have a picnic lunch at Metcalf Bottoms.Deep Creek and the 3 Waterfalls. Indian,Tom Branch and Juneywhank.
I’ve done 9 of the 12. We aren’t big hikers due to health and age. Still, I plan to do Grotto falls at some point. Large vehicles of any kind would be suspect on Roaring Fork Nature Trail due to how people park. The narrow road becomes almost blocked by a mis parked full sized pickup. Caught the Llamas up there once which was really cool.
Please don’t let this dissuade you from coming to the Smokey mountains, but you need to know this because it really colors the experience for a lot of visitors here. If you’ve never hiked to Clingmans Dome, know this…. 1 mile? Steep? I can handle that. The issue is that the air is extremely thin. Nothing like most people have ever experienced. You’ll see folks stopped trying to catch their breathe all along the way. That being said, the view is nice….. sometimes. Most of the time there is so much fog that you can’t see anything. That’s why they are called the smoky mountains. I wish people wanting to get folks to come here said this so expectations are set correctly rather than disappointing people.
I think it is what you make it! I've never had a bad experience at Clingmans Dome, even in the fog. But my itineraries do mention things that like for people who are looking for more insider info :)
I just order this Traveling Guide book Moon Tennessee. I was a former student in Job and the trade I took up was Outdoor Rec. I have done hiking, kayaking, canoeing, climbing. I am still interested in moving forward. Its just having to come up with the funds. But I am working on it. When its a good time to go visit and hike
This is perfect, thank you! I will be visiting the Smokies the first week of October and hope to see some fall colors. How is the rain situation during that time? Trying to decide if I should bring a dedicated waterproof rain jacket or a lighter jacket that is water resistant. I'll be day hiking, no backcountry hiking or overnight camping.
Hi there Very nice vlog. I am planning to visit smoky mountains in July but my wife had a foot fracture 3 months and doctor has advised caution so she is not allowed to strain it too much. I wanted to know if Clingmans dome and other places can be toured using a wheel chair and if wheel chairs are available there? Thnx
Thanks for the video! Could use your help in making a 3 day itinerary as so much of the stuff you mention is spread so far out. Whats the best way to hit up as much as possible?
@@DirtInMyShoes Going there in two days! Weather looks promising! As a European, I wake up at like 4 AM wide awake so being on the trails at 5-6 AM is no problem, albeit a bit dark lol. Should be able to avoid most crowds at that time. ;)
Hi my daughter and I are wanting to go there going to be in North Carolina Waynesville will be there November 18th leaving North Carolina on the 25th so we have all week to explore when is it a good time during that week to come
I typically like to stay a little closer to the park. You'll find a full article on the best places to stay in and near the Smokies on dirtinmyshoes.com
Love how you high light the trip like Google Map For peoples like to hike Day trip all the way to the top Watch out for ice and snow in late March half miles be for ranch the top PLEASE use the cable long way down Only lodge on top of the national park in American Only way get to the lodge by hiker book year ahead Full up FAST
Some roads are still closed at that time of year. You'll find a full article about the best time to visit the Smokies on dirtinmyshoes.com that will walk you through the park month-by-month!
I’ll be there in November. I’m definitely nervous about a bear encounter. What are you supposed to do if you encounter a bear? I know my instinct will be to run but I’m sure that’s not what you are supposed to do.
Thanks for video. I now realize that this is NOT for me, it sounds so boring!!!! Literally watched the whole vid & I’m like I’m not paying to go walking the whole time & do what? Just look & then walk all the way back down? Got recommended to go for my bday, but this sounds so boring haha thanks good vid! 😅
Wow!! This video is super helpful!! Best video I’ve seen so far!! I really like how you showed each place on the map!!
Thank you!
This was SO helpful! Thank you!!
I'm so glad you found it useful!
Thank you! We are making our first trip this October to this part of the country. The details here are really helpful. Feeling much more confident about exploring the area due to your all your detailed information.
I'm so glad to hear that! Have a fun and safe trip to the Smokies!
I am so glad I found this video. I live in SC so I visit the GSM frequently but have not seen a few of the places you suggest. I'll remedy that soon!!!! Thank you.
You're welcome!
So super helpful! Love the map orientation!
Thanks for watching!
Appreciate all your helpful tips. Looking forward to visiting in September. Should be an amazing time.
You're going to love it!
Thanks for your tips 👍
Of course!
Great video. All those places are great. Other great places are Lynn Camp Prong Cascades right past Tremont. Twentymile Cascades in the Twentymile area. Big Creek and the Midnight Hole. Cataloochie. The Y near Townsend is a great swimming hole. On Little River Road you can pull over and see Meigs Falls and the Sinks. Me and my Wife have a picnic lunch at Metcalf Bottoms.Deep Creek and the 3 Waterfalls. Indian,Tom Branch and Juneywhank.
That park has enough cool spots to keep you busy for a lifetime!
Great video, I love your channel!
Thanks!
I’ve done 9 of the 12. We aren’t big hikers due to health and age. Still, I plan to do Grotto falls at some point. Large vehicles of any kind would be suspect on Roaring Fork Nature Trail due to how people park. The narrow road becomes almost blocked by a mis parked full sized pickup. Caught the Llamas up there once which was really cool.
Yeah, that road gets pretty narrow!
Only way get anythings up to the mountain be side air drop
Please don’t let this dissuade you from coming to the Smokey mountains, but you need to know this because it really colors the experience for a lot of visitors here.
If you’ve never hiked to Clingmans Dome, know this…. 1 mile? Steep? I can handle that.
The issue is that the air is extremely thin. Nothing like most people have ever experienced. You’ll see folks stopped trying to catch their breathe all along the way.
That being said, the view is nice….. sometimes. Most of the time there is so much fog that you can’t see anything. That’s why they are called the smoky mountains.
I wish people wanting to get folks to come here said this so expectations are set correctly rather than disappointing people.
I think it is what you make it! I've never had a bad experience at Clingmans Dome, even in the fog. But my itineraries do mention things that like for people who are looking for more insider info :)
I just order this Traveling Guide book Moon Tennessee. I was a former student in Job and the trade I took up was Outdoor Rec. I have done hiking, kayaking, canoeing, climbing. I am still interested in moving forward. Its just having to come up with the funds. But I am working on it. When its a good time to go visit and hike
You'll find a ton of free trip planning help here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/
This is perfect, thank you! I will be visiting the Smokies the first week of October and hope to see some fall colors. How is the rain situation during that time? Trying to decide if I should bring a dedicated waterproof rain jacket or a lighter jacket that is water resistant. I'll be day hiking, no backcountry hiking or overnight camping.
I personally would plan for rain and bring something waterproof, but you can definitely watch the weather forecast and adjust as your trip approaches!
Hi there
Very nice vlog. I am planning to visit smoky mountains in July but my wife had a foot fracture 3 months and doctor has advised caution so she is not allowed to strain it too much. I wanted to know if Clingmans dome and other places can be toured using a wheel chair and if wheel chairs are available there? Thnx
Thanks for the video! Could use your help in making a 3 day itinerary as so much of the stuff you mention is spread so far out. Whats the best way to hit up as much as possible?
You'll find my 3-Day Itinerary for the Smokies here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-smoky-mountains-itinerary/
@@DirtInMyShoes Thank you very much!!
Porters creek trailheads and greenbrier are great.
So many beautiful spots in this park!
I plan to add the Tuckaleechee Caverns. Would you recommend or have any input about it? :)
I haven't been there personally, but they look really cool!
@@DirtInMyShoes Going there in two days! Weather looks promising! As a European, I wake up at like 4 AM wide awake so being on the trails at 5-6 AM is no problem, albeit a bit dark lol. Should be able to avoid most crowds at that time. ;)
@@LivingInCloud1Have a fantastic trip!!
How busy does clingmens dome get in march with the road closure?
If the road is closed, it's super quiet there because you have to hike in quite far and most people don't :)
Great, I’m planning a backpacker in March so that’s great news
Hi my daughter and I are wanting to go there going to be in North Carolina Waynesville will be there November 18th leaving North Carolina on the 25th so we have all week to explore when is it a good time during that week to come
You'll find full articles that will answer your questions at dirtinmyshoes.com
Awesome!! thank you!
You're welcome!
Is sieversville a good place to stay if we visit?
I typically like to stay a little closer to the park. You'll find a full article on the best places to stay in and near the Smokies on dirtinmyshoes.com
Is october good time ro drive the newfound gap scenic drive goodto drive
Yes, but it's also the busiest time of year to be in the park!
@DirtInMyShoes is it because of the fall colors
I will be doing the newfound gap all by myself and driving from Columbus oh almost a 7hr drive
@@amyj4714 Yes, October is peak for fall colors in the Smokies!
Love how you high light the trip like Google Map For peoples like to hike Day trip all the way to the top Watch out for ice and snow in late March half miles be for ranch the top PLEASE use the cable long way down Only lodge on top of the national park in American Only way get to the lodge by hiker book year ahead Full up FAST
So true!
Is the end of March a good time to visit?
Some roads are still closed at that time of year. You'll find a full article about the best time to visit the Smokies on dirtinmyshoes.com that will walk you through the park month-by-month!
I’ll be there in November. I’m definitely nervous about a bear encounter. What are you supposed to do if you encounter a bear? I know my instinct will be to run but I’m sure that’s not what you are supposed to do.
You'll find all of that info here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/bear-safety-101-preventing-an-encounter/
learn to run faster than the others. LOL
Trying to avoid the northern border parts of the park and crowds. Last thing I want to do is sit in traffic.
The NC side of the park is definitely quieter!
Why do more people visit this state park than the Grand Canyon? I never even heard of this until today -- and I'm not a kid.
It's a large park that is close to many huge population centers!
Thanks for video. I now realize that this is NOT for me, it sounds so boring!!!! Literally watched the whole vid & I’m like I’m not paying to go walking the whole time & do what? Just look & then walk all the way back down? Got recommended to go for my bday, but this sounds so boring haha thanks good vid! 😅
Haha well that's just fine. But you basically just described exactly what hiking is, and Great Smoky Mountains NP has some amazing hikes :)