There is no shortage of activities when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Whether you're a history buff, an athlete or you just want to take in a nice view of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in all of the U.S., the Smoky Mountains region has something to offer to you. This guide will give you an overview of the various activities you can do when visiting the Smoky Mountains.
If you enjoy the thrill of the catch, then you will not be let down by the abundance of fishing opportunities throughout the Smoky Mountains. With roughly 2,115 miles of streams, the national park is a playground for fishermen. Both trout and smallmouth bass are popular catches. Although fishing is allowed year-round at the park, there are some guidelines. First, fishing is only allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunrise. Second, there are two areas where fishing is banned, Bear Creek and Indian Flats Prong, because of repopulation efforts. Also, to be allowed to fish, you must possess a proper fishing license from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Finally, there are certain limits on the amount of fish you can catch as well as specific guidelines around the types of fishing equipment you can use. Additional information can be found on the official website of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Although the majority of the Smoky Mountains is nature in its purest form, there are several areas that feature man-made historical sites, some of which date back more than 100 years. Cades Cove, formerly known as Kate's Cove, is a very popular historical site that was initially frequented by Cherokee Native Americans in the pre-settlement days because of its abundance of wildlife. European settlers then established permanent settlement in the area and began working the land, creating a small farming community. To this day, many of these original buildings are preserved and on display in what is the park's largest outdoor museum. Structures include a mill, churches, barns and log cabins. Another area that features about 10 historical buildings, but is often less crowded than Cades Cove, is Cataloochee Valley. Like Cades Cove, this lush valley was also home to early settlers. It features cabins, churches and an old schoolhouse. Most of the buildings are located along the main road, but a few are just a short walk off the path. Both Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley are perfect destinations for the early American history buff.
For those who love horses, the Smoky Mountains features four concession horseback riding stables. Rides are available from mid-March through the end of November. Horses travel along scenic park trails at a walking pace for tours that last anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. The four horseback-stable locations are Cades Cove, Spokemont, Smoky Mountain and Sugarlands. For those who want a little tamer outing, hayrides, carriage rides and wagon rides are also available throughout parts of the park. If you own your own horse, you are allowed to bring it. In fact, the park features about 550 miles of trails that are open to horses.
