Even if you haven’t been to our most visited national park yet, you can probably picture those blue ridgelines blurred across a southern Appalachian sky by that perpetual, namesake haze. In the spring, the sight is often the backdrop for a field of colorful wildflowers; in the fall, a rich palette of changing leaves. I’m lucky to call the 500,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park my backyard, and they call images to mind that captures their character. There’s the black bear sprawling over a low branch, paw dangling; the silhouette of an elk bugling against the fog in a valley; and countless 19th-century log cabins, barns, and springhouses that sit at the edges of wildflower-filled meadows just off of roads and trails, like pioneer exhibits in a museum.

While you’ll count yourself among 11 million people on average who visit the range every year, you can still find something personal and deeply profound in its lush valleys, ridgeline paths, and panoramic lookouts. For some this happens while exploring the more than 90 historic sites the park service maintains, while others are captivated by the slanted headstones, crumbling chimneys, and buckling walls in the backcountry. Many find solitude in the 850 miles of trails, ranging from scenic day hikes to multi-day treks along 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail—do them all and you can join the 900 Miler Club. Just off the paths, and often running parallel, are streams home to one of the last wild-trout habitats in the region, including the distinct southern Appalachian brook trout. But for most, what makes the Great Smoky Mountains special is how each season has its own distinct character and reasons to visit, from spring’s colorful blooms to winter’s unobstructed peak views.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You can make it a spontaneous trip. Unlike most national parks, there’s noĚýentrance fee or lottery reservations system for the Smokies, which makes it an affordable way to get into the woods with a short lead time. Backcountry sites can be booked as early as a month before your trip—a necessity for holiday weekends—or as late as the morning you head out, while major public campgroundsĚýcan be booked

Expect rain and rapid shifts in conditions, no matter what time of year you visit. The rain that keeps the park green year-round—onĚýaverage 55 inches of it falls in the valleys andĚý80 inches on the mountaintops—is what you’d expect from any other temperate rainforest and can be a minor inconvenience when it clouds your view, interferes with your photo ops, or shuts down roads. Abrupt summer storms often lead to flash floods that have caused landslides and closures, while ice is the perpetual culprit during winter months (even though its mountains rarely reach up to 6,000 feet, winters are generally marked more by ice than snow in all but the highest elevations). Always use Smokies Road Info onĚý to check conditions before you go. Depending on your elevation, temperatures can also vary sharply, as much as 30 degrees, which often means the highs feel hotter and the lowsĚýmuch colder. Treat weather and temperature forecasts as gentle suggestions, and prepare for something harsher.

Don’t let the crowds deter you from some of the park’s greatest spectacles. The months of June and October could be considered two seasons in and of themselves. The last three weeks of October are some of the busiest times, when hordes of peopleĚýchase the color of the leaves from the top of the mountains down into the valleys. In June, dayĚýhikers make the 11-mile round-trip to the summitĚýof to see flame azaleas, flowering shrubs that range from deep orange-reds to candy pinks and yellows, often on the same blossom. Nighttime visitors set up camping chairs on the ˛Ô±đ˛ą°ůĚý to watch the fireflies. By 10 P.M., the insects rise up from damp creek valleys and, in unison, flash seven or eight times, and then, just as uniformly, go dark. The display is so popular that Elkmont’s campsites fill up fast. But you don’t have to camp to see them: the park runs a shuttle from . (Note that parking at the campsite is limited, and the lottery for a space only opens for a few days in late spring.)

How to Get There

The Smokies straddle North Carolina and Tennessee. Asheville, North Carolina and Knoxville, Tennessee, the largest nearby cities, are roughly an hour from the park. The closest major airport is McGhee Tyson near Knoxville; it’s a little over a half-hour from the park’s Townsend, Tennessee, entrance and provides easy access to the valley on the western side of the park.ĚýThe towns of Cherokee, North Carolina, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, abut the park boundaries to its north and south, respectively, and are the main gateways via U.S. Route 441. Across the mountains to the east, on the North Carolina side of the park, Bryson City opens some of the less visited areas around , like the and Noland Creek Trails.

WhenĚýIs the Best Time of Year to Visit the Smokies?

The park and its backcountry sites are open year-round. The off-season, which runs from late October through May, closes seven of the park’s ten developed campgrounds; on the Tennessee side and in North Carolina stay open. Rest areas and picnic areas close, too, as well as most secondary roads.ĚýThe main thoroughfare, Route 441, which runs from the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina to Gatlinburg, only closes for bad weather. Summer is the wettest season—July has the most rainfall—while fall, after the tail end of a typically humid August, is the driest. Every season has its draws and limitations.

Winter: Winter is the season of long views and a solitude that’s hard to find the rest of the year. Take advantage of the highest viewpoints, like the pullouts at and the observation deck at the end of the Ěýor the towering upper ridges from lower-elevation trails. The Roundtop Trail, a lightly trekked, 7.5-mile point-to-point routeĚýthat begins near off and dead-ends on the banks of the Little River, will lead you no higher than 2,600 feet and offers views of Cove Mountain and Chinquapin Knob within the first mile. Even during the busier seasons, you’re likely to be the only person on the Roundtop Trail, but in the winter, the views from this trail will make you feel like you’re the only one in the park. While winter hiking won’t lead you into more than a dusting of snow, you’ll probably find ice in the frozen springheads on most trails. Bring crampons, especially if you plan to hike higher.

Spring: While winter’s sparse vegetation will have you looking out from mountaintops—or up at them—you’ll likely be looking down during spring. The popularity of the blooms that takeĚýplace from March to June drawĚýthe first wave of crowds, with most flowers blossoming from the middle of April to the middle of May. The challenge to catching them at their height isn’t navigating the traffic or even finding the correct trail but ratherĚýfiguring out where to go to see the particular flowers you’re looking for,Ěýfrom the white-fringed phacelia and maroon trillium to the pink and yellow lady’s slipper. Every April for the past 68 years, the park has celebrated the (from $150), a weekend of guided walks and exhibits. If you prefer a self-guided tour, the event’s website suggests five trail options; two of the most popular are the , in the Tremont area, and , a 20-minute drive west. If you’re looking for that perfect photograph, head 3.5 miles up in the Greenbrier area, where flowers blanket the ground like snow, or up the 8.6-mile from the Townsend Wye swimming hole to see upwardĚýof 30 different species of wildflowers in the first half-mile.

Summer: With this season’s swellingĚýcrowds, trailheads fill up by midmorning, so plan to get there early. For popular hikes, like , , and , set out shortly after sunrise. Given the number of trails and their close proximity to larger towns, the Tennessee side of the park fills up faster than the North Carolina side, so escaping the masses often means heading toĚýNorth Carolina’s . The Lakeshore Trail, a 35-mile one-way along itsĚýwestern banks, intersects less traveled pathsĚýthat link to the surrounding mountains. To the east, 2.9 miles from the , is the 11.4-mile Forney Creek Trail, whichĚýleads up toĚý, a destination popular for its views of the surrounding highlands. Seven miles from the western side of Fontana, the Lakeshore Trail joins the 8.9-mile Eagle Creek Trail. With 18 wet crossings, the trail is an ideal summer hike up the mountain to the highland meadow ofĚý, which is less than two milesĚýwest ofĚýTennessee’s iconic (known for its 360-degree panoramic views) via the Appalachian Trail.

Fall: When cooler temperatures hit, you’ll findĚýmore elk and bears in the valleys (and usually don’t have to leave the car to see them). Head to the remote Ěýfor likely sightings of elk and out to for the bears, though be aware that a trip to Cades Cove can be an hours-long, bumper-to-bumper, 11-mile drive. On footĚýyou can expect to seeĚýblack bears and elks anywhere in the park. Remember to keep 50Ěýyards between yourself and the wildlife when you go looking for them. The park is also known for its foliage, so opt for a trail that cuts through old-growth, hardwood forest, like the off the eight-mile Maddron Bald Trail and the six-mile Low Gap Trail up to and back.

Where to Stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Developed Campgrounds

Located along the and Trails, the park’s ten designated campgrounds range in price from $17.50 to $27 a night and offer no-frills amenities, restrooms, and water. Book reservations on Recreation.gov as early as six months to a year in advance. The , , and campgrounds are busiest due to their central locations and electrical hookups. Consider instead the ($17.50 a night), just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Cherokee Reservation’s eastern Qualla Boundary, for seclusion, mountain views, nearby streams, and the chance to see elk grazing just beyond your tent. At an elevation of 5,310 feet, Balsam Mountain is the highest developed campground in the park, which meansĚýtemperatures rarely get above 70 degrees, even in the southern summer heat, but it’s also especially subject to the area’s characteristically fluctuating weather. There are several uncrowded trails that lead from the campsite, including a 5.2-mile out-and-back nature hike on Flat Creek Trail through hardwood forest and a more challenging 14-mile loop that drops into Cataloochee Valley from the Hemphill Bald Trail beforeĚýclimbingĚýback up Rough Fork Trail. Be sure to make the short walk from your campsite to the HeintoogaĚýpicnic area to watch the sun set over the Smokies’ ridgelines.

Backcountry Campgrounds

The park’s more than 100 backcountry sites include five boat-in areas—three on islands in Fontana Lake—and more than 15 shelters at higher elevation along the 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Almost all include fire grates and bear cables. A nightly rate of $4 a person gets you a backcountry campsite or shelter with direct access to springs or running water. Reservations can be made at the park’s own backcountry-reservation . Appalachian Trail thru-hikers can purchase a $20 pass for all of the shelters but must give up space toĚýany campers with a backcountry permit. Generally, you won’t have any trouble finding an open campsite during most seasons, but availability ebbs and flows in the busy months of June and October. Make sure to check the park’s website for warnings and closures before you go—the weather can cause you to reschedule your trip as unexpectedly as bear activity in the area.

The wildly varying character of each backcountry campsite reveals different aspects of the Smokies’ long history and allows for every kind of camping experience. Lower Ekaneetlee/campsite 89, at the mouth of Ekaneetlee Creek along Eagle Creek Trail, marks the beginning of a Cherokee track that settlers followed across the ridgeline to settle the Cades Cove valley (the old railroad tracks from a later logging camp are still there). Some options, like West Prong/campsite 18, in northwestern Tremont on the Tennessee side, and Big Hemlock/campsite 40, in CataloocheeĚýValley to the northeast, are relatively short, gradual hikes from the main trailheads of and Rough Fork Trail, respectively, which make them perfect for a quick overnighter or a child’s first backcountry experience. West Prong has plenty of trees for shade and hammocks; Big Hemlock is partitioned by huge logs so that an outing feels private even when the site is full. Expect campsites like Proctor/campsite 86, at the mouth of Hazel Creek, located in the area along Fontana Lake’s north shore, or Rough Creek/campsite 24, at the head of Little River’s East Prong along Rough Creek Trail, to fill up faster due to their prime fishing locales.

LeConte Lodge

In operation since 1926, the 60-guest sits atop the Smokies’ third-tallest peak and marks the site where conservationists wooed officials from Washington, D.C., into supporting the park’s creation. Due to its high demand, you’ll have to make online reservations a year prior. A stay includes a bed or a bunk in a rustic cabin and meals in the main lodge (from $162, including breakfast and dinner). Accessible by five trails, the lodge has kept its stuck-in-time feel with basic amenities to match (wash basins, kerosene lanterns). For a longer route that includes a path that cuts below , follow the 8.9 miles of the from the to the lodge. Otherwise, the shortest and steepest way up the mountain is via the 5.5-mile .

Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Driving

You don’t have to leave your car to enjoy the Smokies. The 11-mile and six-mile Ěýare worth doing to experience the park’s varied landscapes,Ěýeven if you plan to spend most of your visit on foot. In 2018, the park opened a new 16-mile-long section of the in Tennessee from the town of Walland to , near Pigeon Forge, with area views from the crest of Chilhowee Mountain.

Cycling

With no mountain-biking trails and steep,Ěýnarrow roads that host a lot of car traffic, there’s little opportunity to cycle in the park, except for Cades Cove, which from early May to late September isĚýclosedĚýto vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 A.M. TheĚýone-way loopĚýallows for plenty of wildlife viewing and stops at 19th-century homes.

Fishing

There areĚýclose to 2,900 miles of streams in the Smokies, of which 20 percent are large enough to support trout. Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters, and in the fall, you can stalk brown trout in the deep runs along or charter a boat shuttle ($30 one way) from the across Fontana Lake to catch rainbow trout on Hazel Creek. The headwaters above the creek are full of brook trout and remain local anglers’ favorite spots. Try , the park’s most recent brook-trout restoration project, which parallels , an easy eight-mile hike that features multiple waterfalls. You’ll catch the most fish on the Tennessee side of the park above the Panther Creek Trail juncture, a small tributary off Lynn Camp Prong, about 2.5 miles in on the trail. Pack a fly rod and some peacock-bodied flies.

Hiking

More than 850 miles of trails lead into the park, ranging in length from largely overlooked, quiet, quarter-mile walkways—short dirt paths just off the main roads—to 70Ěýmiles of the Appalachian Trail. One of the most popular day hikes is an eight-mile round-trip thatĚýfollows the AT north from and offers some of the park’s longest-range views. You’ll find more solitude and similar views on another section of the AT, a above to the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, a go-to spotĚýfor sunrise photos.

One of the best, most solitary views in the park is from the High Rocks, where an old warder’s cabin sits beside a gray bluff that once supported a fire tower. From thereĚýyou can see the jagged ridges of Nantahala National Forest across Fontana Lake. To get there, take the ridgetop Welch Ridge Trail, which runs between the AT and the Cold Spring Gap Trail. It’s a rigorous ten-mile hike one-way, so plan to overnight it at one of backcountry sites in the Forney Creek valley or at theĚý.

Those who want to see multiple waterfalls, springtime wildflower displays, and panoramic fire-tower views should head to the Big Creek Trail for a two-night trip. Start the first day with a five-mile hike from to Lower Walnut Bottoms/campsite 37, which has dense displays of spring flowers. On the way, you’ll pass the Midnight Hole, a favorite swimming spotĚýin the Smokies, and . On the second day, head up four miles along Swallow Fork Trail, an old Civilian Conservation Corps trail long popular with hikers, to the Mount Sterling Ridge Trail, and stay the nightĚýat Mount Sterling/campsite 38, a breezy, cool areaĚýat the base of a fire tower. The next morning, head back to Big Creek Campground on Baxter Creek Trail, a sharp descent of 4,000 feet over six miles.

History

If history is your way into the Smokies, you can find stories of southern Appalachia’s pioneer past throughout the park. In the Cades Cove valley, there’s a working , numerous barns and houses, and three from the early 1800s; in Cataloochee, you’ll find the well-preserved homesteads of the Caldwell and Palmer families, which dateĚýfrom the late 19th century; and on the , in the Gatlinburg area, popular sites includeĚýthe cabin of Noah “Bud” Ogle, whose great-grandparents were some of the first Euro-American settlers, and aĚýfew structures farther along the trail that tell stories of mountain people who refused to be displaced by the formation of the park, like the Walker SistersĚýcabin, just offĚý, whichĚýthe park has maintained since the last of the five sisters lived there in 1964. In the backcountry, you’ll find the remains of old homes on the Old Settler’s Trail, as well as hearths and chimneys that mark the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corp camps, like CCC/campsite 71, as well as the artifacts left by the logging operations that ravaged the range in the early 20th century.

Rafting and Kayaking

Along the northern border of the park flows Pigeon River, where a number of outfitters lead whitewater rafting trips. The Upper Pigeon features Class IIIĚýand IVĚýrapids across 6.5 miles, while the river’s lower section, Pigeon Gorge, is ideal for families looking for gentle rapids and swimming holes. The Gatlinburg-based runs spring and fall trips from $46 per person. For flat-water kayaking and canoeing, the sprawling Fontana Lake has many fingers to explore.

The Best Places to Eat andĚýDrink Around the Smokies

Your food options in the park are limited to what you pack in or buy from concessions at its majorĚýcampgrounds, so get your fixes before and after. If you start your day in Asheville, go to , downtown, and dredge a cathead biscuit in itsĚýespresso red-eye gravy. And if it isn’t too early in the day, make sure to catch a of Asheville, which has a burgeoning craft-brewing scene.

If you’re traveling through Knoxville, head toĚý, on the corner of Market Square, and orderĚýthe bison burger with a side of duck-confit fries. Follow that withĚýice cream from on Gay Street.

Closer to the park, a meal in Gatlinburg often involves standard southern comfort fare—stop by for family-style smoked meats or for seafood platters. The moonshine once distilled in the far-back hollows of town is on the main street now: usually has 20 types to sample.

A tradition for at least 50 years, park visitors leaving through Townsend, Tennessee, have capped off their trip with a stop at . The parking lot is always full, even though it’s just simple, backyard-style comfort foods, banana splits, and chocolate-dipped ice cream. But go less for the food than for a drive-in atmosphere and post-camp crowd.

If You Have Time for a Detour

The park’s nearby towns cater to tourists. Much of the traffic in Cherokee, North Carolina, outside the Oconaluftee entrance on the park’s south side, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, stops by the and the various shops selling crafts. Just west, in Bryson City, is the , where you can take a train ride into Nantahala Gorge. In summer, in the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, near the Sugarlands entrance, you can visit theĚý theme park, and in winter, ski above Maggie Valley at or take a tram up to .

Editor’s Note: We frequently update this National Parks guide, which was originally published on Oct 8, 2019.

The post The Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

As of press time, the trails and campsites mentioned in this piece were open. To check for safety protocols and potential closures, check state websites.Ěý

Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, I lived close to Highway 19E, a stretch of road that begins a short distance north of AshevilleĚýand ends in Bluff City, Tennessee. At first glance, 19E is a practical country road. It’s the sort of expanseĚýtravel writer William Least Heat-Moon might have called a “blue highway,” one of America’s old back roads marked in blue on the maps andĚýalmanacs travelers used before the era of apps.

For those who know where to look, the road is like a multipurpose tool. Although it’s little known outside of the region, the 60-mile stretch connects as much natural diversity as any locale in southern Appalachia. It links southeastern superlatives: the highest point east of the Mississippi, 6,683-foot Mount Mitchell, which you can reach via one of the region’s highest-elevation trails; the most rugged mountain cliffs in the region, located on 5,946-foot Grandfather Mountain; some of the best tailrace fly-fishing in the Tennessee Valley; and, depending on which thru-hiker you ask, the most beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail.

The two-hour corridor begins 31 miles north of Asheville, where Highways 19W and 19E meet in the small mountain community ofĚýCane River, and then runs 76.5 miles west to Bluff City. But the best section for the outdoors person is from miles 6 to 61,ĚýconnectingĚýeight adventures never more than 25 minutes off 19E.

The şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř StopsĚý

1) Mile 6.2: Pisgah National Forest and Mount Mitchell State Park

A strenuous one-way route that ends in , Black Mountain Crest TrailĚýleads to the park’s namesake mountain. The trail earns its local nickname, the Death March,Ěýin only 11.3 milesĚýand involves crossing over five 6,000-plus-footĚýpeaks, including 6,647-foot Mount Craig, the second highest in the Southeast.ĚýSince it’s not a round-trip hike, itĚýmakes for a challenging 22.6 mile out-and-back, so planĚýaĚýleisurelyĚýtwo-to-three-day tripĚýaround four first-come, first-served primitive campsites along the Pisgah National Forest section of the trail before it enters the state park at mile 7.9. Once you hit the park, you’ll find nine sites that need to be in advance. Be prepared for exposed narrow ridgelines, tough ascents, and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Need to know: Don’t underestimate the weather here. While the altitude may seem low to a western hiker,Ěýthe climateĚývaries wildly inĚýthe valleysĚýand changes rapidly along the ridgeline. Also, be aware that this is a relatively dry trail: water is only available at three spots.

Getting there: Turn off at mile 6.9 of North Carolina Highway 197 South to Bowlen’s Creek (State RouteĚý1109). Park in the area on Water Shed Road near a hikers-only national-forest sign that marks Black Mountain Crest Trailhead.

2) Mile 26.2: Linville Gorge WildernessĚý

Every region of the country seems to have its own little Grand Canyon.Ěý is North Carolina’s. Most famous for the 150-foot Linville Falls at the northern end of the gorge, Linville River is bound by canyon walls and punctuated by cascades, waterfalls, and blue-green pools. The 11.4-mile Linville Gorge Trail tracks the length of the gorge downstream fromĚýthe falls, but you’ll have to hike in for access. Choose from one of six trails, ranging from 0.75 mile to 2.7 miles, that all connect the gorge trail. But don’t let the length of the access trails fool you: these are steep hikes. The Pinch-In Trail, for instance, leads directly to the Linville Gorge Trail after a descent of more than 1,700 feet in just under 1.5 miles. Want a gentler hike? Try the well-trodden, 2.4-mile Babel Tower Trail. At the bottom of itsĚý850-foot descent, you’ll find the ten-foot-tall Babel Tower FallsĚýand a popular swimming hole.

There are plenty of campsites withinĚýLinville Gorge, but you’ll need to reserve an overnight permit for camping on weekends and during holidays from May 1 through October 31—and they fill up fast. For a permit, call the Pisgah National Forest Grandfather Ranger District office at 828-652-2144. You can reserve a permit (from $20) on the first working day of the previous month.

Need to know: Since Linville Gorge is managed as a wilderness area, trails aren’t maintained.

Getting there: Exit on Highway 194 North/Three Mile Highway to U.S. 221 South. Three miles later, take the exit for Highway 183 South before heading onto Kistler Memorial Highway (State Route 1238), where you’ll find pullouts.

3) Mile 26.2: The Brown Mountain LightsĚý

Southern Appalachia is haunted. The Brown Mountain Lights, a series of irregular, ghostly lights that are said to appear and flicker over Brown Mountain after dark, areĚýa regional legend. You might catch a glimpse of them from Wiseman’s View over Linville Gorge. The best time to try to see them is from September to November.

Getting there: Exit on Highway 194 North/Three Mile Highway to U.S. 221 South, Highway 183 South, and thenĚýKistler Memorial Highway. Pullouts will lead you to the Wiseman’s View overlook.

4) Mile 42.9: Grandfather Mountain State Park

To the east of Highway 19E, watches over the headwaters of the Watauga River. To the west, the peak rises above Pisgah National Forest and one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most photographed locations, the . While the park includes more than 12 miles of trails, the best views are from the 3.6-mile Profile Trail. In the spring, the trail’s lower reaches glow with wildflowers and pungent ramps (butĚýit’s illegal toĚýharvest rampsĚýinside the state park). The route ends at the 2.4-mile Grandfather Mountain Trail, the popular crest hike that traces a narrow line across gray cliffs, up ladders and cables, and over boulders. You’ll follow it through the Chute,Ěýa steep, hand-over-hand ascent through a fissure in the uppermost cliffs. When you come to the Attic Window—you’ll know it when you see it—climb up to the point that marks the top frame of the windowĚýfor incredible views of the national forest. The highest vantage point in the state park, though, is foundĚýat the end of the trail, the 5,946-foot Calloway Peak summit, which offers a vista west of the mountain.

Alternatively, skip the hike to the Grandfather Mountain Trail and arriveĚýat the trailhead via the instead. The privately owned, 228-foot-longĚýsuspension crossingĚýpasses above an 80-foot drop andĚýis open almost every day of the year, even when the state park is closed. In addition to its bridge, the attraction is popular for area wildlife—you’ll likely see cougars, black bears, river otters, bald eagles, and elk.

In the park, campsites are largely nestled in the ridgeline forests. To some degree, trees on theĚýmountaintop help block the wind, which is important since highĚýgustsĚýare regularlyĚýclocked on the peak. Post up at the campsite (from $15), the closest to Calloway Peak. To camp in one of the 13 backcountry sites in Grandfather, you’ll need to book a space or by calling 877-722-6762. Bring a cookstove, as no fires are allowed along the ridgeline.

Need to know: Be aware that the state park is closed in the winter, and its ladders and short stone climbs can be dangerous in the rain or heavy fog that cap the mountaintop throughout the year.

Getting there: Exit on Highway 194 North in Elk Park and continue on toĚýHighway 184 South and Highway 105 North. Look for the state park’s official parking area.

5) Mile 44.7 and 49.6: Roan Highlands

Two hikes will get you to the Roan Highlands, a 20-mile massif part ofĚýthe AppalachianĚýBald Mountains. These almost treeless ridges are carpeted in grasses and short shrubs, leaving room for 360-degree views. The longer approach, an ATĚýsection hike between Carvers Gap and Highway 19E, is 16.7 miles. This route takes you across Little Hump Mountain, through historic Yellow Gap, where the passed en route to a Revolutionary War battle at King’s Mountain, and up across the highlands themselves. Just downhill from the gap is the site of the former .

The quickest way to the Balds, though, is via a popular short AT hike justĚý2.5 miles east of Carvers Gap. You’ll find the gap where the AT bisects Tennessee State RouteĚý143 South, also called Roan Road, at the top of Roan Mountain. Head south. The crowds taper a bit after you cross the first of the three most famous balds of the highlands, Round Bald. It’s not uncommon to see a tent pitched on Jane Bald, but for the best views of 6,286-foot Roan High Knob, climb to Grassy Ridge Bald via a short, signed trail that branches off from the AT. From there, Grandfather Mountain and the mouth of the Linville Gorge are easy to spot. On a clear day, you’ll also see the ridgeline of Black Mountain. The day hikers who make it to Grassy Ridge Bald often stop for lunch by the boulder with a plaque commemorating Cornelius Rex Peake, one of the highlands’ early conservation benefactors. But follow the trail for another quarter-mile, and you’ll find yourself on a hidden section that winds through rhododendrons to a wide saddleback ridge with a stone fire pit and great views of Grandfather Mountain.

You have your choice of five shelters on the AT, from the Roan High Knob Shelter, which, at 6,285 feet, is the highest-elevation shelter on the AT, to one at Laurel Falls. While the iconic Overmountain Shelter is closed now, the field next to the shelter has always provided overflow camping and is still available—just pitch at a safe distance, at least 40 feet away.

Getting there: The Appalachian Trail crosses 19E at mile 44.7. To reach Carvers Gap, exit at mile 49.6 on Tennessee State Route 143 South. Or you’ll find small parking areas on either side of 19E at mile 44.7 and a larger parking area at Carvers Gap. You can getĚýto and from either point with the service out of , a popular hostel. Be aware that both parking areas have had a reputation for vandalism in recent years, particularlyĚýon 19E at mile 44.7.

6) Mile 49.6: Roan Mountain State Park

Comprising part of the Roan Highlands that crosses state lines into Tennessee, isn’t just a good base camp for local adventures off of 19E, it’s a destination in its own right. It offers 12 miles of hiking trails and three miles of biking routes that run from easy to strenuous. There’s also a swimming area and fishing options at the northern end of Doe River, which flows through the park. You can one of 30 cabins (from $90) orĚý107 campsites that have picnic tables, grills, and access to showers (from $15).

Getting there: Exit on Tennessee State Route 143 South, and head 1.7 miles to the park entrance.

7) Mile 61.8: Laurel Falls in the Pond Mountain Wilderness

The to the popular Laurel Falls and back is only 4.8 miles. The falls themselves are 40 feet high and 50 feet wide, but in the summer, when the water is low, they form two cascades that splash down mossy rock shelves.

Getting there: Exit on U.S. 321 South, and drive 1.5 miles to the Laurel Falls Trailhead.

8) Mile 65 and Mile 76.5: Watauga River and South Holston River

The Watauga River in Elizabethton and the South Holston River in Bluff City offer excellent tailrace fishing, which involves angling just below natural or man-made dams. Watauga is known for its rainbow trout and Mother’s Day caddis hatch, as well as its wading access. To do the South Holston justice, you’ll likely have to float the river, but it’s worth it. South Holston has a reputation for monster brown trout and its hatches of sulphurs.

Need to know: Fishing in and requires a valid license and a trout stamp that can be purchased online. Also, these are tailrace waters, so you’ll need to plan your trip around dam-release schedules.

Getting there: The rivers intersect 19E at mile 65 and 76.5.

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