Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
|
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee |
Live picture of the Smokies c/o Smoky Mtn. Mall!
| DESCRIPTION: | The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Tennessee's only National Park. It is also one of the most visited National Parks in the eastern United States. The Smokies are located near Knoxville, and offer numerous opportunities for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, rafting, and many others. There is not enough space here to do the park justice so please check out the official National Park Service Web Page as well as some of the other links at the bottom of this page. Other attractions in the area are Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN which offer all the junk associated with tourist regions. Here you can see the Batmobile at the Ripley's Museum, see and feed 5 live bears, outlet shop 'till you drop, or talk to The King at the Elvis Museum. Fortunately the park service maintains a buffer zone between the heinous commercialism and the splendor of the park. Once inside the park, places not to miss include Cades Cove and the Scenic Drive through the park beside the river. |
| DIRECTIONS: | The Back Way: This route bypasses the commercial heap of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and is actually a shorter route to the park. Take I-40 East from Nashville to Knoxville. Take the I-140 Exit (Exit 376) marked for Maryville/Alcoa. Take the Maryville Exit, following the signs to the airport which you will pass on your right. Ahead the road forks. Follow this road into Maryville where you will see signs for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will also be able to see the mountains from this part of the trip on. In Maryville, you will take a left (follow the signs) and will pass several mountain bed-and-breakfasts and other small businesses. Before you know it, you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains and will following the signs will get you to the park welcome center to get more information. There is so much to enjoy that you cannot possibly do it all in a day, but if that is all you have, go for it. This is a natural treasure! |
| CAUTIONS: | Please keep the park clean for the benefit of others, and more importantly, for the flora and fauna. There are many deer and bears which have come to rely on humans feeding them (often not on purpose by leaving food out at campsites) so be careful if they do not run off when they spot you. Remember, you don't have to run faster than a bear, you just have to run faster than your companions! Feeding the animals will only make them rely on humans more than on their on wild foraging. |
| FOR MORE INFO: | There are many resources in the Outdoor
Recreation Center Library on the Great Smoky Mountains. There are also a number of web
sites about the park. Below a few have been listed:
|