4 Can’t-Miss Places to Visit in the Smoky Mountains

Attracting over 11 million people each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Vacationers come from all over the world to admire the area’s spectacular natural beauty. Unlike many other national parks across the country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an admission fee, so guests can enjoy all of the gorgeous scenery without spending a cent. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Acorn Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to the top four places to visit in the Smoky Mountains.

1. Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome offers the most breathtaking mountain views in the national park. At 6,643 feet tall, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the state of Tennessee and the highest point along the entire Appalachian Trail. The observation tower at the summit of Clingmans Dome provides incredible 360-degree views of the Smokies. On a clear day, visitors to the observation tower can see for over 100 miles. A steep half-mile hike up a paved path is required to reach the observation tower, but the stunning vistas are definitely worth the effort!

2. Cades CoveA stunning sunset in Cades Cove

Cades Cove is another one of the very best places to visit in the Smoky Mountains. Drawing over 2 million annual visitors, this gorgeous valley is the most popular section of the national park. Cades Cove is famous for its amazing wildlife, which includes black bears, whitetail deer, and wild turkey. In addition to all of the critters running around, the cove is well known for its well preserved historic cabins from the 1800s. An 11-mile loop road runs through the valley, which makes it easy to see all of the sights in Cades Cove.

3. Sugarlands Visitor Center

The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a wonderful place to pick up souvenirs from your adventures in the Smokies. The gift shop at the visitor center is filled with stuffed animals, T-shirts, jams, jellies, books, magnets, and many other items that you will want to take home with you. Any purchase you make at the visitor center benefits the critical work performed by the National Park Service, so be sure to buy lots of gifts! Other highlights of Sugarlands Visitor Center include seasonal programs led by park rangers, a small museum about flora and fauna in the national park, and a short informational film about the Smokies.

Driving Newfound Gap Road on a spring cabin vacation in the Smoky Mountains4. Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road stretches from Gatlinburg, TN all the way to Cherokee, NC. One of America’s most scenic drives, Newfound Gap Road offers lovely mountain views that you can enjoy at numerous pull-offs along the road. Some of the most popular stops along Newfound Gap Road include Clingmans Dome, the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line, and the Rockefeller Memorial, where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1940.

When you stay with Acorn Cabin Rentals, you will be near all of these wonderful places to visit in the Smoky Mountains. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 8 bedroom cabins, we are sure to have the perfect accommodations for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of cabins in the Smoky Mountains!