Gatlinburg is the perfect entree into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited American national park. For travelers on a budget, the wealth of wildlife attractions offers enough affordable -- if not free -- activities to fill a number of weeks. Gatlinburg is essentially a giant tourist attraction though, with myriad events and festivals designed to draw visitors in and their money out. However, you can have a cheap weekend getaway with some careful planning.
Camping is the ultimate frugal accommodation, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has two primary types of campgrounds: backcountry and frontcountry. Backcountry camping is free with a permit, which is also free and available at the visitors' centers and at any ranger station. Some basic backcountry sites are located within the park, several miles from the main roads, but you can camp anywhere in the park with a permit.
Frontcountry campgrounds are accessible from the road and include parking. You won't find hot water or shower facilities, but each campground includes an enclosed fire pit with a grate for grilling. Ten frontcountry campgrounds are available in the national park. Some take reservations online, but others are on a first-come, first-served basis.
nps.gov/grsm
The Rockefeller family granted $5 million when the Great Smoky National Park was first chartered, so no visitors would ever need to pay admission. If you plan to hike in the park, bring a map and do some research in advance. Ninety-five percent of visitors don't make it more than 100 yards from their cars, so you can easily have the wilderness to yourself if you make it off the beaten path.
If you are short on preparation time, A Walk in the Woods tours will help you get off the main roads and into the woods. Guided walks and hikes in the park start at $25 per person for 2 1/2 hours including snacks, as of 2010. Highly informative and congenial guides are well-versed in local plant life and can show you which plants are edible as well as provide botanical background during your hike.
awalkinthewoods.com
If you want a hearty breakfast that you don't have to cook over a campfire, Gatlinburg brims with pancake houses for an inexpensive morning fuel fill-up. The popular Pancake Pantry is known for its lengthy lines, so try the Log Cabin Pancake House. The buckwheat "cabin pancakes" with honey are a treat if you aren't feeling too adventurous, and the Carribbean pancakes with bananas, coconut and nuts are a really filling way to start the day. In addition to eggs, bacon and sausage, The Log Cabin offers a wide selection of crepes and flavored french toast to help you carbo-load.
Log Cabin Pancake House
327 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-7894
logcabinpancakehouse.com
