I have never been to Great Smoky mountain's, we are not taking our rig, but staying in a time share in Pigeon Forge for that week. I really don't want to do the shopping or amusement park stuff. We are taking our conversion van with our bikes,what can we do that uses our own energy, like walking, biking swimming? Would like to stay within a hour driving distance from Pigeon forge. Everyone knows of the roads to take, I want to know that roads and areas and stops that are not always in a brochure. Any suggestions?
Want the family to get back to nature, and enjoy the views and sounds.
Thanks in advance.
[red][/red][red]Terry:D Mary:B, Chris:C and Nick:p, Indy and Daytona
We may not have much.... But together we have it all.....
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
Well to tell you the truth there's just not that much. There are some outdoor areas for hiking and the such as there are most everywhere. Be sure to get directions for Cade's Cove. Its a wilderness area not far from P. Forge that takes about about an hour or two to drive through. The wildlife just are everywhere. There are places there to get out and picnic and hike. We always see a hundred deer or more. Be sure to check it out.
Cades Cove has that `animal' reputation but for the best viewing you need to drive through either early in the morning or at dusk. We drove through at noon and only saw other drivers!
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
There are all kinds of waterfalls to hike to both in Cades Cove and the Smokey Mountain National Forest.Visit the Apple Barn, the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Ober Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg, Clingman's Dome in the National Forest to name a few. Get a visitors guide book to find out what all there is to do ( to your liking ). Not everyone likes to shop ( like me ),not everyone likes to hike to the waterfalls( unlike me ). Find what you like and enjoy every minute.
This is two of my favorites. Get an early start and head over to Cades Cove. Starting in early May till October, the 11 mile loop is closed to vehicles (only bikes and walkers) until 10 am on Wed. and Sat. Take your bikes and ride the loop.
On another day or the same if you are fit, take the 5 mile round trip hike to Abrams Falls from about the half way point on the Cades Cove Loop.
The Roaring Fork Loop is another good outing. There are two hikes to 2 great waterfalls on the route.
Things to do in Great Smokey Mts NP. The NPS has a visitor center between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with lots of information and maps. Click on Auto Touring for information about Cataloochee Valley. This is were the Elk are and usually come out in the late afternoon. The bulls hang out at the ranger station in the late afternoon. Bring you bikes and you can ride thru the valley. Bring a picnic lunch and water.
* This post was
edited 03/16/08 08:19pm by Retired Phone Man *
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab with 5.7L V8 and Tow Package.
2007 Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite 21MB
Peaches - Lhasa Apso/Mut Mix
go to http://www.clingmansdome.com. It isn't a far drive and if you go to the top you can be on the highest point in the smokies. We went last year while we there for Easter and the kids got to play in the snow. It will much colder up there than in pigeon forge.
Offline
