If you’re looking for a fun family summer adventure that works either as a day trip or weekend getaway, whitewater rafting in the Smokies may be just the experience. Kristina took her kids to SMO Rafting and tells us why it is was a great experience and fun introduction to white water rafting, even for little kids.
I’m a fairly adventurous person, spending as much time on rivers and lakes as possible, hiking trails deep in the forest, camping in the woods, and anything else I can come up with that involve the outdoors. I’ve been waiting until my youngest would be old enough for one particular adventure though and this was the year for it: whitewater rafting.
When the opportunity came up to finally go rafting on a river, I went for it because it’s a boatload of fun. Truly.
Stay Near Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO Rafting)
As you plan your rafting adventure, use the map below to find lodging that’s perfect for your family near Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting.
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Rafting in the Smokies
There are several rivers within a short driving distance of Greenville, SC where you can go whitewater rafting and I chose the Lower Pigeon River in the Smoky Mountains because the rapids were small and the company takes kids on the excursions here.
With whitewater rafting, the rapids are classified as Class I-V with I and II being fairly tame and III, IV and V being a crazy wild ride. I’ve done the latter classes on the New River in West Virginia when I was much younger and invincible. It was super awesome but definitely not for kids. I knew the lesser rapids would be fine and a lot of fun for kids who loved the outdoors but who weren’t quite ready for a wild river ride.
We booked a trip with Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting, which is just off Route 40, about a three-hour drive from Greenville. We were camping nearby for the weekend but you can definitely do this as a day trip.
Getting on the Pigeon River
There are different options to choose from when rafting with SMO and we went with the Lower Pigeon River because my youngest was too little for anything else. True story. This trip is a fairly leisurely 5.5 mile float down the Pigeon River with some smaller rapids and all-around stunning views. I can’t ever get enough of the Smokies so anytime I can marvel at them is a good day.
This trip is available May – September and takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half depending on water levels. Our trip was about an hour.
You can save time by filling out waivers online when you book. All trips will start at the outpost on Hartford Road, not far off of Route 40. If you do the same trip we did, you’ll get in the boat right there at the outpost. For the more exciting rides, you’ll get on the bus and drop it farther up the river. Either way, you’ll park at the outpost.
Once you park (get there 45 minutes before your scheduled trip), you’ll check-in at the shop and they’ll give you your time of departure and group number and tell you to wait under the covered deck. If you want to pre-purchase photos, do so at check-in since you’ll get a small discount and have them emailed to you during your trip.
They have lockers available for $2 each where you can store your keys and valuables. Don’t take your keys rafting. Just don’t do it. The gift shop does sell waterproof packs and lots of other fun things.
Once your group is called, you’ll be assigned a guide and get your life jacket, helmet, and paddle. From there, you’ll walk down to the river and get in your boat. Your guide will give you a quick safety lesson as you paddle away from the river bank and off you go.
Paddling the river
There isn’t much effort in paddling the raft down the Lower Pigeon River, which gives you time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and take in the experience. The rapids give you some nice bumps along the way, which is fun for the kids. We learned about the area, some of the trees, and asked about how crazy the Upper Pigeon River rafting ride is.
We had a couple who did the Upper Pigeon ride that morning on our boat with us and they were telling us it was a blast. That trip is a 6.5 mile fast ride over more than 70 rapids including class iii and iv, with few breaks in between. To do that Upper River trip, kids need to be at least 8 years old or weigh more than 70 pounds.
Smoky Mountain Outdoors also offers an extreme Upper Pigeon River rafting trip that’s on a smaller raft and where they hit the meat of the rapids down the river. Kids need to be 12 years old for that trip, know how to swim, and previous rafting experience is highly recommended.
Our guide did a great job as well. She was telling us about some of the neat hiking she’s done in the area plus what mountains we were looking at as we paddled down the river. The guides are all well-trained and love what they do – I mean, I’d love it too if I got to raft all day in the Smokies!
Once the trip ended, we unloaded on the riverbank while the guides got the rafts onto the buses, which we used to head back to the outpost.
Tips on whitewater rafting
We went on July 4th weekend and to say the place was packed would be an understatement. However, everything ran smoothly and it was obvious Smoky Mountain Outdoors was well-run. Every staff member and guide we encountered was kind and helpful and they all knew their jobs and did them well.
You don’t need to bring much on your trip but you will need:
Shoes with a strap or sneakers. No flip-flops or sandals (we saw an entire family wearing flip-flops who were instructed to either wear different shoes if they had them or purchase shoes in the store). The rafting company tells you this multiple times via emails before you come to the outpost.
A change of clothes and towel if you want to get out your wet clothes before driving back to your campsite or hotel.
Sunscreen. There’s no shade on the river and you’ll be in the direct sun.
Reservations are encouraged as well, especially during holiday weekends. Since this place takes smaller kids, it’s popular with families and you don’t want to get there and not be able to go out rafting if you didn’t have a reservation.
Tickets for the Lower Pigeon River trip are about $37 a person but be sure to check the website and sign up for their email list as they do run specials. We were able to get a lower ticket price since they were running a deal on the site when we booked.
That’s pretty much it. It’s not complicated. Families have enjoy time rafting and a trip down the river that adds a little adventure to a scenic float. It makes for a memorable day and an amazing experience with your family and friends. When my youngest is old enough, I’ll write about the Upper Pigeon River next time!
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Hmmm, I wonder what attractions offer memberships near me?” Look no further! Are you also looking to save money with a membership or pass to attractions in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida? You can save money when you visit your favorite attractions multiple times by purchasing a membership. Memberships can range from annual to monthly, per person, or per family.
Places like state parks, amusement parks, museums, and aquariums all offer memberships to help save yourself the trouble of paying each time you go. Some places we’ve included will also get you access to attractions when you travel as a perk through reciprocity programs.
* Prices are subject to change, please confirm with the organization at the time of purchase.
Obtain free admission to hundreds of other museums across the county through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program, the Southeaster Reciprocal Museum Program, and the Time Travelers Reciprocal Program.
Unlimited admittance for the family to all of the 47 SC State Parks
A 7 day passport is available for purchase for $65 and includes all 47 parks statewide
The ALL Park passport is half-price for South Carolina senior citizens (65+), legally blind and 100 percent disabled citizens, and active members of the SC National Guard. Must show proof of eligibility
This pass also includes free admission and home tours for four at Redcliffe, Rose Hill, and Hampton plantations.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Areas, Stone Mountain Park, Jekyll Island, and Lake Lanier are not state parks and are not covered by the ParkPass.
The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for up to a total of eight people entering as a group at all but three Florida State Parks, for a total of 172 locations.
The pass is good for admission of up to two people, (including the pass holder) at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Pass holders receive 33% off admission to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park over Tampa Bay
I get the zoo pass from the Smithsonian National Zoo. A lot more reciprocal
Anita S.
National Reciprocity and Discount Programs
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is at the discretion of the participating zoos and aquariums as to whether they will be able to honor entrance benefits during this time. Call ahead to confirm before you go.
The zoos and aquariums on the Reciprocal Admissions List that are located in close geographic proximity to each other are not required to offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members, although they may offer an alternative discount. “Close geographic proximity” is determined by each institution.
Science centers and museums located within 90 miles of the science center/museum where the visitor is a member offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members. This distance is measured “as the crow flies,” meaning that it is based on the linear radius, not driving distance. To help determine linear radius distance, use the “Measure Distance” feature on Google Maps.
The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association is a network of over one thousand art museums, galleries, historical museums, societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos and more.
When you sign up with your favorite participating NARM institution you can receive reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, El Salvador and Mexico.
Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders during the first full weekend of every month
Present your active credit or debit card with photo ID to gain free general admission to a participating institution
Participating Museums 4 All locations provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00 for visitors presenting their EBT card.
This reduced rate is available during all normal operating hours to up to four individuals per EBT card.
Memberships Our Readers Enjoy
We got the state park pass a few months ago. It’s around $100 for a full year, and we are trying to go to every state park this year! Pretty good value. Also- the Greenville zoo membership gets you into a lot of zoos, but for some, you only get half off (riverbanks in Columbia is the best zoo in the state!)
Sarah R.
We have riverbanks and western NC nature center – wncnc gets you in roper mountain science center free and used to get you in Greenville zoo free but they just updated and now the zoo is only half if you travel a lot though there’s an entire list of zoos/aquariums/science centers it gets you in to free or half-off
If you’re looking for South Carolina Aquarium reviews or information on how to plan your visit, you’ve come to the right place. We were able to experience all the SC Aquarium has to offer and we’re ready to share it with you! We’ve got all the info you need to plan your trip and have a blast with your family at the aquarium.
Thank you to the South Carolina Aquarium for providing media tickets for our review. All opinions are genuine and those of our team member.
South Carolina Aquarium Reviews, What You’ll See, and How to Visit
About the South Carolina Aquarium
In 2019, the SC Aquarium was one of ten recipients of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor for an aquarium to receive. They received it “not for having a massive living collection of exotic species from around the world, but for keeping its collection’s focus local.” This focus is entirely evident as soon as you step foot into the Aquarium.
If someone asked me what the focus of the Aquarium is, I’d tell them conservation and education. It is easy to see how dedicated this nonprofit is to educating the public on the local species right there in Charleston and throughout the state as well as ways to conserve the beautiful animals you’ll see.
Bald eagle at the SC Aquarium
My favorite parts of the Aquarium were the two interactive talks given by the volunteers and staff at the Aquarium, which I’ll tell you about shortly. When you visit the beautiful Aquarium, you will no doubt walk away with a greater appreciation for the different climates and environments of South Carolina as well as the incredible work being done by the Aquarium in areas of conservation and the treatment and rehabilitation of sea turtles.
The Exhibits at the SC Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is the perfect sized-aquarium for really getting to understand the different exhibits and spending time learning about sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, river otters, and even the resident bald eagle, Liberty. My daughters and I took our time going through the exhibits and attending the two educational talks and in total, spent about two hours there. We probably could have stayed longer if we had a snack at the Sea Turtle Snack Bar or fed the stingrays!
Spoonbill at the SC Aquarium
There are two public floors to the aquarium: the first floor houses the sea turtle hospital, a Great Ocean tank with tons of fish and loggerhead sea turtles, the gorgeous balcony overlooking the USS Yorktown and the Ravenel Bridge, and the bottom level of the Great Ocean Tank. The upper level has the kids play area, the salt marsh exhibit, the jelly fish, the mountains to Piedmont exhibits, the North American river otters, a touch tank, and the upper viewing area of the giant tank.
There are many hands-on exhibits all throughout the Aquarium, which really any kid will find entertaining and fun. When you enter the Aquarium, you can scan the QR code located at the visitor stand or if you would prefer to print out a copy for your visit, here is a map of the South Carolina Aquarium Exhibits.
The Educational Programs at the SC Aquarium
At the advice of the Aquarium’s public relations staff member, we timed our visit so we could see the Dive Into the G.O.T and Turtle Talk programs.
The Dive Into the G.O.T. was phenomenal! The G.O.T. stands for the Great Ocean Tank, which holds more than 350,000 gallons of water and is 42 feet deep. There is a diver inside the tank who does a question-and-answer session with an Aquarium staff member and then takes questions from the audience.
Diver at the SC Aquarium
We learned all kinds of cool things about how the volunteers and staff feed the animals in the tank, how they clean the tank, and ways to practice conservation on our own. The Turtle Talk was also amazing. The sea turtle care center is really neat and an active place where the sea turtles are taken when they are stranded or injured. Many are cared for and rehabilitated and then released back into the wild.
Sea turtle hospital at the SC Aquarium
There are also animal encounters throughout the day. We saw a couple of volunteers and staff offering guests the opportunity to pet a snake. My kids passed on that one unfortunately.
The staff we met were all so, so kind and helpful. They all seemed to really love their jobs and were happy to be working at the Aquarium. The passion they had for the animals and education about them was easy to see.
Also, to add on some more educational fun to your visit, consider doing one of these onsite activities at the Aquarium, which include scavenger hunts, discovery bins, and deeper dives into the exhibits that are grade-level appropriate – looking at you, homeschooler’s.
Interacting with the Stingrays
I personally think stingrays are pretty cool and just beautiful to watch, although I’m terrified of accidentally stepping on one while wading on the shore. Yet, seeing them up close and learning about them is fascinating. All of the times I’ve ever seen them in touch tanks and aquariums, they have been very playful and fun.
Stingrays at the SC Aquarium
The ones at the SC Aquarium are no different. They have a huge tank to swim and play that overlooks the Charleston Harbor and it’s just gorgeous. The stingrays will come right up to the edge of the tank like puppies and basically beg for pets. It’s really adorable. They are a little slimy but once I got over that, I was all about it.
You can feed the ocean puppies for $5. You can do this between 10:15 am and 4 pm. I didn’t do that but I saw others who did and they looked like they were really enjoying the experience.
Trading Post at the SC Aquarium
I was really excited to see that the Aquarium has something called “The Trading Post”. If you’re familiar with the Nature Exchange at all at the Roper Mountain Science Center, this is a similar concept. You can bring in up to two natural items found in nature and earn points, which are redeemable for other cool things that the Aquarium has like shark teeth and pretty shells.
There are a few items that the Trading Post will not accept. This includes bird items (nest, egg, feathers), live animals, sea turtle bones, or anything else from an endangered species.
A great opportunity to find shells and fossils can be found with the Sandlapper Water Tours that launch right around the corner at the maritime center. You can go on a morning eco-tour and then head to the aquarium.
Visiting the South Carolina Aquarium
The Aquarium is located just minutes from downtown Charleston and right next to one of the places you can take a boat tour to Fort Sumter. The view from the deck is worth the experience alone!
You can purchase tickets in advance using the Aquarium’s dynamic ticketing system. Admission is determined by day of the week, school calendars, local events, weather, and holidays. You can see what the prices are for different days and purchase up to 60 days in advance.
There is an on-site gift shop as well as a snack bar, which is open 11 am – 3 pm daily. Parking is easy at the nearby Aquarium parking garage, which is $2/hour ($18 daily max).
The Aquarium is open daily 9 am – last ticket sold at 3:30 pm and the building closes at 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day, closes at 1 pm on Christmas Eve.
Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge in Pigeon Forge, TN is a fantastic spot to spend a few days or a whole week for a family trip. And it’s easy on the gas tank at three hours from Greenville, SC. Thank you to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge for inviting us to the resort for a complimentary stay so we could write this review.
Are you thinking about a trip to Majestic Caverns in Childersburg, AL for a fun day with the family? We visited this family attraction and had a great day with lots of adventures! Here’s our review, what you can expect to do at Majestic Caverns, and why you should visit this cave just a little over four hours from Greenville and Upstate SC.
A Fun, Family Day
On a recent trip to Alabama, we wanted to find a fun family day outing that would keep our older children (age 11 and 14) entertained all day. We were looking for something that would not be in the direct sun, and that would be a unique destination with things we couldn’t find anywhere else. We ended up at Majestic Caverns (formerly Desoto Caverns) in Childersburg, Alabama, and had a day filled with fun activities and exploration, unlike any other adventure.
What Can You Do at Majestic Caverns?
Majestic Caverns (formerly Desoto Cavern) includes a privately owned campground, cavern, and entertainment zone with over 20 activities.
The Cavern
A short walk into Majestic Cavern takes you into the majestic Cathedral Room where the ceiling reaches a stunning 12 stories and houses the second-largest onyx-marble stalagmite/stalactite collection in the world.
The tickets to the cavern include a guided tour where you will learn about the history and science of the cave and it culminates with a laser show in the cavern.
The initial path is wheelchair accessible and while there are portions of the tour that would require some walking, someone who could not walk could still see the Healing All Cathedral Room where the tour starts and ends.
The path is well lit but the cave is dim. At the very beginning, the tour starts with everyone sitting near a stage and all the lights are turned off to demonstrate full darkness. The lights are not left off for very long but it is completely dark which might scare some children.
For those that are claustrophobic, these cave rooms are fairly large and the only tighter section is one that can be easily skipped.
Our children’s favorite part was the laser show. They loved the water fountain and the beauty of the lasers against the cave walls.
If it’s hot (or cold) the cavern stays at a comfortable 60 degrees year-round.
Gem Mining at Majestic Caverns
The Entertainment Area
Outside of the cavern, families will find a gift shop, cafe, and over 20 attractions. You can either purchase tickets for the attractions or an all-inclusive pass.
Before heading to the attraction, we read several reviews online complaining that the activities weren’t open or were only for younger children. You may want to ask if the attractions were open before buying tickets but everything was open the day we were there. There were staff members manning multiple areas though so sometimes you did have to find a staff member to enjoy an attraction. We didn’t have any issues finding someone as needed.
Our kids were 11 and 14, so they are entering those early teen years where kids are harder to entertain. We spent the entire day at Majestic Caverns and they had a great time. In my opinion, the activities spanned a great age range and there was plenty to entertain teens and adults.
While it was very hot, most of the activities were in the shade and several activities included water.
Some of our favorite activities were:
Gemstone Panning
We are one of those families that usually skips the gemstone panning stations because it almost always costs extra. My kids were thrilled to find out that their all-inclusive tickets allowed gemstone panning as many times as they wanted to.
Crystal Mining
In the mining section, you can search the sand for hidden crystals that you can keep.
Beach Ball Blast
Enter a room filled with beach balls with a floor fan and hit the balls all around. Why are there not more of these?
Cave Crawl Box
You can enter a small hole in a box if you dare and then slither your way out (just like a cave).
My husband who wasn’t that far under the height and weight limit decided he was going to give it a try. I’ll admit I was nervous that he wasn’t going to make it out (and I think he had some doubts while he was in there), but he did survive. This is definitely not an activity for the claustrophobic or fearful.
Cave Crawl Box
Cannon Wars
Enter a screened room with a bunch of small foam balls with cannons on each side and have fun pelting each other with balls. Protective eye equipment is available.
Water Balloon Battle
Fill up a bucket with water balloons (there is a self-fill station) and then oppose each other on opposite forts and see who can get the other side the wettest.
Squirt Gun Lost Trail Maze
Run around a wooden maze while trying to sneak up on each other with water guns.
Squirt Gun Lost Trail Maze
Other activities include an archery range, mini-golf, a foam pit, wall climbing, a splash pad, a small train, and more.
Archery
More to Know: Plan Your Visit to Majestic Caverns
Lunch at Majestic Caverns
You can add a meal to your ticket for $12.89. The food wasn’t very exciting but it came with an insulated souvenir cup that could be filled unlimited times. This cup was actually a huge perk as we stayed for hours and it made it very easy to stay hydrated.
You could also pack a lunch as there are many picnic tables outside.
The Campground
Multiple levels of camping are available and the campground is within walking distance of the other attractions.
Parking
Parking is free and a short distance from the attractions.
Pricing
We were lucky enough to end up at Majestic Caverns on a Monday when they were offering a Fun Day Monday special on all-inclusive tickets. You can either purchase tickets for the cavern, the outdoor activities, or both. The tickets are not cheap, but we personally did think that it was a good value as many of the activities were ones that are rarely included in all-inclusive tickets and our kids played all day.
Where to Stay Near Majestic Caverns
Find a place to stay near Majestic Caverns!
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Need something unique to do on your next trip to the Hilton Head Island, SC area? Let us introduce you to the Kazoobie Kazoos.
When I heard of a kazoo factory in Beaufort, SC, I had to go. I mean, who can say they’ve been on a tour of a kazoo factory? Me, that’s who. And it was so cool. I had no knowledge about the history of the kazoo nor that one of the only places in the entire country that make them is in South Carolina. Here’s all you need to know about Kazoobie Kazoos and why you need to visit this fun factory.
If you are hanging out around the Davidson River, tubing in Brevard in the summer months is the way to go! Pick up your tube for a small fee at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and a full day of floating fun awaits. If you’re looking to do a little summer tubing, Brevard, NC is a great place to be.
Photo Credit to Kevin Stinehart
Note: As of June 2025, we have learned that the river is doing well after Hurricane Helene (minimal damage or debris), and the abundance of rain this season has kept the water levels good for tubing.
Have you ever wanted to walk the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz? Well, your chance to walk that Yellow Brick Road, meet Dorothy, and so much more about three hours from Upstate, SC. We have all the details on what to expect, where to eat, and where to stay when you head to the Land of Ozthe last three weekends in September 2024.
This review is a combination of trips in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Thank you to the Land of Oz for providing media tickets so we could write this review.
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping comfortably under the stars with incredible views on top of a mountain, The Glamping Collective in Canton, NC, under two hours from Greenville, SC, is the place to go.
Thank you to The Glamping Collective for hosting us. All opinions are our own.
Situated high atop a mountain near Canton, NC lies a village of geo domes and glass cabins. You can gaze at the stars while lying on your bed or in the hot tub on the deck, roast marshmallows or grill outdoors, and then relax with your favorite book or play cards and charades with your kids.
The Glamping Collective is a 160-acre village of geo domes and glass houses atop a mountain that sits around 4,000 feet.
There are 23 luxury accommodations at the property including geodesic adults-only domes, XL domes that are great for families, and adults-only glass cabins. There are about five miles of hiking trails and views for days and days. The Glamping Collective is only about ten minutes off I-40 but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.
The vision for the Glamping Collective began in 2012 when founders Matt and Christina Bare started dreaming about a mountaintop retreat near Asheville. They went through hundreds of concepts and drawings and plans until they came up with what The Glamping Collective is today.
Our XL Luxe Dome
Our XL Luxe Dome was huge. It had two bedrooms, a bathroom, a pullout couch (the best view), kitchen with a toaster oven, two burners, fridge, dishwasher, and table. There are at least three different ways to make your coffee that I counted, which was just such an excellent way to start the morning.
Our kitchen in our dome
The bedrooms each have a king bed and the sofa bed can fit two people. The XL domes can sleep up to six people total. The best view, ironically, was the pullout sofa because it is right under the part of the dome that you can move the curtains aside to see straight out. It also had the best view for stargazing.
The bathroom is a place of absolute luxury. The floor is heated, which felt really nice in the morning when it was a little chilly. But the toilet seat is also heated. I have to say this: I didn’t know luxury until I sat on a heated toilet seat.
Outdoor Beauty
I have seen photos of places like the Glamping Collective but wasn’t quite sure they existed in real life. You know those beautiful photos of hot tubs overlooking mountain summits and sunsets, coffee in the morning while you watch the sun streaking over the peaks? Yeah, those. I’m here to tell you they do exist.
The views at the Glamping Collective are absolutely spectacular. Gazing at the mountains from the inside of our geo dome and the deck and the firepit and grilling area were just unreal. I thought I was looking at a painting most of the time. I sat and admired such beauty and immensely enjoyed it. The mountains in the distance rolled and peaked and the sun took its time setting behind those peaks.
Our private hot tub
Once night settled in, we could see the stars through the clear panels inside of our geo dome. We just laid back and watched the stars and were in awe that this was happening and that we were there at that moment. I think that was one of our very favorite parts about the trip.
The hot tub is cleaned and sanitized after every guest and instructions are given before you check in. We spent some quality time in the hot tub – which is pretty large at the XL domes – relaxing and soaking up the views.
There’s a big fire pit and chairs at each of the XL domes so it’s very private. This was great because I’m terrible at starting fires and didn’t want anyone making fun of my lack of fire-building skills besides my own kids. If you stay in the adults-only geo domes, there is a community fire pit and several grills you can use. The views there are also unreal – big skies overlooking miles and miles of mountains in the distance.
Views from the dome
My daughters and I enjoyed making s’mores each night outside at the fire pit. Thankfully, the Glamping Collective provides firewood, fire starters, and lighters for their guests so I was able to get enough of a blaze going to toast a few marshmallows.
The grills are propane so super easy to use if you want to do some outdoor grilling while you’re there.
Hiking Trails
There are about five miles of private hiking trails at The Glamping Collective. We did the Sunset Summit Trail, a two-mile round trip hike that takes you to a spectacular mountaintop that has near 360-degree views of Tennessee and North Carolina. We could see the Great Smoky Mountains and all the way out to Mount Pisgah off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
There is a big swing up top to rest at as well as chairs to admire all the beauty. The hike isn’t easy. It’s pretty much straight up the whole way. I’d say it’s a moderate-hard hike. But then you get an easy hike on the way down.
Sunset Summit Trail
I had never stayed at a place that had legitimate hiking trails, much less private ones, at the property. The Sunset Summit Trail was just as hard as many of the public trails I’ve hiked and the best part was that we got the whole summit all to ourselves! It was super cool to have that experience and be able to enjoy a beautiful walk in the woods to reach that private view.
The Creekside Trail was right outside our geodome. It was about a mile total and took us through the woods on a trail loaded with wildflowers. The way we went was mostly downhill. If you start at the bottom instead of the top, you’ll be huffing and puffing most of the way.
If you only have the time or energy to do one trail there, do the Sunset Summit Trail.
Romantic Getaway
The Glamping Collective has adults-only domes and glass cabins that are perfect for your next romantic getaway (or solo getaway!).
Instead of the two bedrooms in the XL domes, these adults-only accommodations have the bed right below the dome, or behind the big glass wall in the cabins, so you get views straight out into the night sky or across the vast mountaintops all day and night. These are just stunning and are really a special place to enjoy time with your loved one. The photo below is of one of the adults-only domes.
One of the adults-only domes at The Glamping Collective
Need to Know About Your Stay
Here are a few things you need to know about coming to the Glamping Collective:
The road is steep to get there and then the gravel road to the accommodations, once you enter the property, is also steep. During the winter, it’s required you have 4WD if it’s snowing. You’re not making it up there without it.
There are 4 XL domes that sleep up to six people. The other domes and glass houses are adults-only and sleep two people so if you want to come with your kids, be sure to get the XL domes.
There are accessible accommodations available.
It’s a good 15-20 degrees cooler at The Glamping Collective than in Greenville so dress accordingly. It felt pretty awesome staying there during the early summer when Greenville was already sweltering in the high 80s and we were comfortable in the 60s.
There is an Ingles grocery store right at the bottom of the mountain when you get off of I-40. It’s easy to pick up anything you may need for cooking and s’mores on your way up.
Stay on a weekday for better rates. Weekends and holidays are going to have the highest rates.
Accommodations are pet-friendly.
Except for the ADA-accessible accommodations, you are going to have to walk up short, but kind of steep, paths to get to the front door.
XL Luxe Dome
Nearby Things to Do
If you feel the need to leave your peaceful glamping dome, there are plenty of things to do in the area.
Hiking
Canton, NC is in the perfect location to get in a few good hikes and then come back and rest and recharge in the hot tub. Some of the best ones nearby, along with number of minutes they are away from The Glamping Collective are: Waterrock Knob (39 minutes), Midnight Hole (51 minutes), Max Patch (57 minutes), Black Balsam (one hour), Graveyard Fields (one hour), Mingo Falls (one hour), Soco Falls (34 minutes), Devil’s Courthouse (53 minutes), Mount Pisgah (40 minutes), and Sam Knob (one hour). There are lots more – use the AllTrails or Gaia apps to find others.
Waterrock Knob
Waynesville, NC
I absolutely love exploring small mountain towns. They always have some of the coolest shops, often with only locally-made items adorning the shelves. Waynesville has lots of these great shops plus a Mast General, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridgeway is mere minutes from the Glamping Collective. Take a picnic up there and admire the views! There are also a lot of hikes right off the Parkway.
Splash pad in downtown Canton
There’s a splash pad right in downtown Canton across the river from BearWaters Brewing at 8 Sorrells Street. The Canton farmers market happens there over the summer months every Thursday from 4-8 pm and the splash pad is perfect for smaller kids, especially if they aren’t able to go tubing yet.
BearWaters Brewing
Right on the Pigeon River, BearWaters Brewing serves up a huge Giant Pretzel and other American fare plus lots of great beers on tap. We enjoyed the pretzel and nachos and I tried a delicious Strawberry Wheat beer.
River Tubing
Over the summer, you can go tubing on the Pigeon River with Pigeon River Outfitters or Cold Mountain Tubing. We missed their opening by days when we went or else we would have certainly done this!
Winchester Creek Farm
One of our favorite alpaca and mini-horse and cow farms is right near The Glamping Collective. Winchester Creek Farm offers great tours of their beautiful farm, a gift shop, and seasonal events. Definitely check them out when you’re there!
Lake Junaluska
I have yet to explore this beautiful lake but I do know you can rent kayaks and paddleboards and pay to swim in a pool that is part of the community on Lake Junaluska.
Biltmore
The Biltmore is a 28-minute drive from The Glamping Collective and you can easily spend a day there touring the mansion, strolling through the gardens, doing a free wine tasting, and having lunch or dinner there.
Honest Mom Review
To say I was blown away by The Glamping Collective would be an understatement. The accommodations were so beautiful, relaxing and peaceful. It’s a quiet place. There are no televisions (they do have WiFi) and every aspect of the property invites you to rest and relax and forget about life during your visit.
My daughters really enjoyed our time there as well – from running around at the top of the summit trying to be Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music to roasting marshmallows to relaxing in the hot tub. It was time well spent together.
Staying at The Glamping Collective is a treat. The accommodations are on the higher end of unique stays but my goodness, are they beautiful. There are few places like this in our area and no place I have ever traveled compares to what The Glamping Collective offers.
Have you visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or maybe looking for things to do in the Smokies? The park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina, and it is the most visited national park in the entire nation. And the best part? It’s less than three hours from Greenville.
This park has been on my bucket list of places to visit for a while and the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to take a trip there with my kids. When I finally got the chance, it blew me away. The scenery is overwhelmingly beautiful. The mountains stretch for miles, green upon green upon green. The fall colors are unreal. The park has the highest concentration of black bears in this part of the country, two per square mile, along with other abundant wildlife like elk, deer, turkeys, and coyote.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the country, with 13.3 million people setting foot there in 2023. While the park is majestic and beautiful, it is also highly accessible to a big part of the nation and there is no entrance fee but there are parking fees.
You must have a parking pass on your car if you park for more than 15 minutes inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A daily pass is $5, a weekly pass is $15, and a yearly pass is $40. You can purchase them at any visitors center or online.
I’ll tell you all about places to visit in the park plus where to stay, eat, and play.
Find a place to stay near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
GSMNP Visitors Centers
Sugarland Visitors Center & Nature Trail
If you are visiting the Tennessee side of the park, start your visit at the Sugarland Visitors Center, only a ten-minute drive from nearby Gatlinburg. You can pick up maps and booklets and explore a small nature center that has stuffed snakes, turtles, boar, and other wildlife native to the park. You can also attend a short presentation by a Park Ranger and learn about different aspects of the park. We listened to a fascinating presentation on elk, where the ranger showed us an elk skin, rack, hoof, and cast skull. It was really cool.
There is a one-mile round trip easy nature trail you can take along a creek that goes to the small but pretty Cataract Falls. It’s perfect for families with small kids. We saw parents even pushing strollers along the flat path.
If your kids want to become Junior Rangers, they can fill out a book ($2.50) that has several activities divided by age and then have a ranger sign off on the book and get the pin. My oldest did this with her scout pack and we had a blast. We learned about different vegetation, trees, and wildlife in the park. It’s fun and educational and I highly recommend it as a great introduction to the park.
Oconaluftee Visitors Center
On the North Carolina side of the park, the Oconaluftee Visitors Center is super cool. You can also do the Junior Ranger program there but one of the big draws is the elk that roam the grassy area outside of the building. I’ve seen elk almost every time I’ve visited there. The best time of year to see the elk there is in mating season, which is September mostly, because the bull elk make a bugle call and it’s just incredible to hear.
The Visitors Center there also has an amazing bookstore, topographical map of the park, clean bathrooms, and plenty of Park Rangers to answer your questions. There is also an old village you can tour as part of the Junior Ranger program on that side of the park. My kids and I really enjoyed doing this as part of our homeschooling field trip there.
This is the question I see on every major social media page about the Smokies. This isn’t a zoo so you can’t just go and see animals whenever you want. While there are places you are more likely to encounter wildlife, the most important part of visiting the Smokies and seeing wildlife is to be respectful of the animals and keeping your distance. In fact, you can be fined thousands of dollars if you are too close to the wildlife. And do not, under any circumstances, leave trash or food outdoors in an unsecured area because as you’ll see on signs all over the park, a fed bear is a dead bear.
Now that you know to keep your distance and take out your trash, here are a few places to possibly see wildlife in the Smokies.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is about an hour drive from the Sugarlands Visitors Center through a winding road. It’s beautiful and goes by quickly since there is so much to view along the way. The Cove is a one-way 11-mile road that snakes through a valley amongst the mountains. It is rich in history and wildlife. Be sure to stop at the information center on your way in and grab the Cades Cove guidebook for a $1. It helps to explain what you’ll see along the way.
Cades Cove was one of the earliest settlements in the area dotted with log cabins and primitive churches. The coolest part is that you can explore them all. My kids absolutely loved checking out these buildings that dated in the 1800s. They look like something out of an old movie and are a unique part of the experience.
My favorite stop is always at the Primitive Baptist Church, which dates back to the mid-1800s and set off the main road. We love to explore the old building and twice have stumbled upon people singing or making music – once was a youth group and their leader with a guitar singing worship songs and the other was an older gentleman playing a harp. The setting, the music, all of it made it easy to picture what this place may have been like when people lived there all those years ago.
As we traveled through the Cove, we pulled over many times, as signs instruct you to do if you want to stop, and jumped out to take photos of the mountains and log cabins. We have seen bears and other wildlife every time we have visited Cades Cove.
There are multiple signs along the route that urge visitors to stay 50 yards away from wildlife because they can be dangerous and result in injury or death. Nevertheless, we saw many people getting way too close to these bears, including a mama and her cubs. Remember you are in their home and you have to be careful. Basically, use common sense.
There is no charge to enter Cades Cove but you must have a parking pass. With the weather changing quickly at times and icy winters, always check with the Visitors Center or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Twitter account to make sure the road to Cades Cove is open.
Biking Cades Cove
Cades Cove is closed to vehicles every Wednesday during the summer months (it starts on May 1, 2024) and in my opinion, this is the absolute best way to see Cades Cove. It is so peaceful without the noise from the cars and motorcycles. I’ve done this twice with my kids and both times were amazing. We camped there one of the times, which made it easy to get an early start on the bike loop and the other time, we stayed about 45 minutes away and just got there early, around 8:30am. Both times I’ve biked the loop, it took us about four hours just because we stopped so many times at the cabins to check them out.
We brought our bikes but you can rent them from the Cades Cove campground store. They don’t take reservations so you need to get there early. They start renting bikes at 7 am and are usually sold out by 8:30 am. They rent by the hour so if you decide to go later in the day, there’s a decent chance they will have some bikes back from those who went out in the morning. Prices are $10/hour for age 15 and under and $15/adult.
Roaring Fork Motor Trail
Accessed from traffic light #8 off the main strip in Gatlinburg, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a 5.5 mile one-way loop that includes access to popular hiking trails like Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls. You can also stop at the Noah Bud Ogle cabin and take the short hike to the creek and back, which is just beautiful. There are other historical spots to stop at along the way.
Since the road is very narrow, if a bear is spotted, you’ll likely be caught in a bear jam for awhile as tourists will want to stop and take photos. Keep your distance from those cuddly creatures. I’ve seen bears and turkeys during my travels through Roaring Fork. The first time I drove through the trail was with the Pink Jeep tour – it was fascinating because I learned so much about the history of the area. I highly recommend that tour!
Oconaluftee Visitors Center
As mentioned above, there is an elk herd at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center. They are usually out in the open field next to the Visitors Center or down the road a bit. If you don’t see them, they are probably just in the woods. I have been at this place at all hours during the day and have usually seen elk there. I’ve also seen elk on the way over to Cherokee, NC just outside the borders of the park.
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and tourists always go to just a few of the trails, notably Laurel Falls, Alum Cave, and Grotto Falls. The only one I have not been to of those is Laurel Falls because I don’t want to deal with the crowds. My best piece of advice is to get to wherever you want to go early, like at sunrise or before, if you want to find parking and avoid the mass of tourists. While there is no admission fee to enter the Smokies (they cannot charge one by law) but they have instituted parking fees.
Need to know: Dogs are not allowed (except on two trails)
One important point to note about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is that dogs are not allowed on any trails except two (and they must be leashed): the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconoluftee River Trail. This is for the safety of both the dogs and wildlife. If you are caught with your dog on a trail by a Ranger, you will be asked to leave and likely fined.
Alum Cave
This trail is so cool and it’s not hard to figure out why it’s beloved by tourists and locals alike. The pinnacle of the hike is to a cave-like rock outcrop that is more like a bluff than a cave. The views are beautiful and you can walk through stunning scenery the whole way. It’s about a five-mile round trip hike to Alum Cave and back. If you want to keep going to Mt. LeConte, another popular place, then you’ll be hiking about 10 miles in total. You can stay at Mt. LeConte at the lodge there but reservations are hard to come by!
Mt. LeConte
I’ve hiked Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave with my daughters (they were 8 and 12 at the time) and it was fantastic. The steepest part was right after Alum Cave and near the top of the mountain. The views were spectacular and hanging out at the lodge was fun. We hiked to the Cliff Tops viewpoint, which added about another .75 miles to the hike. It was worth it. We felt like we were on top of the world.
We bought the sack lunch – my kids called it a “snack lunch” because it consisted of all their favorite snacks and a bagel – for $14 and we each got a commemorative t-shirt that said we hiked Mt. LeConte. The gift shop opens at Noon so we had to wait a bit until it opened since apparently we got up there faster than I expected. Are we doing this again? Absolutely yes. Total mileage was around 11 miles.
We made it!
Grotto Falls
This is a beautiful waterfall you can walk behind and the route that the llamas take up to Mt. LeConte (we got to see them when we went, which was super neat!). Grotto Falls is only 2.6 miles roundtrip and it’s not a difficult hike. But you need to get there early as there is not a lot of parking at the trailhead off Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Roaring Fork is closed during the winter but you can still walk on the road to get to the trailhead, although it adds many miles to your hike.
Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is a moderate 5.2 mile round trip hike that you have to access through Cades Cove. It’s about halfway through the 11-mile loop and you can park in a gravel lot. I loved this trail. It winds through a beautiful forest and comes out at an incredible waterfall. We went over the summer and lots of people were swimming. We even saw a family of otters!
Midnight Hole
On the North Carolina side of the park is a super popular trail to Midnight Hole, a crystal clear swimming hole that is freezing – but gorgeous! It’s only a three-mile hike and not hard. We even got to see some horseback riders on the trail. If you go only about a quarter mile further past Midnight Hole, you’ll get to see Mouse Creek Falls.
Deep Creek
Deep Creek is also on the North Carolina side of the national park and consists of three waterfalls and a great spot for river tubing. It’s not a hard hike but again, it’s a popular place so if you want to hike there, go early as the parking lot fills up, especially during the summer. We saw some dogs on this trail – they are not allowed – and a Ranger was about to go fine them and ask them to take their dogs out. So be aware of that rule and leave your pups at home.
Mt. Cammerer
Mt. Cammerer is an awesome trail because it ends at a spectacular lookout/fire tower. To get there is a beast though. My daughters and I tracked about 12 miles total and it was really hard. We started at the Cosby campground and it took us about seven hours total. As cool as the fire tower was, especially when we went in the fall, I’m not sure I’d do this one again!
Other Trails
There are a lot of amazing trails throughout the park and it doesn’t take much time to find some of the less traveled ones – Google is helpful, as is this popular Facebook group. We have also hiked the short trail to the Elijah Oliver homestead in Cades Cove – it’s just a mile but is off the beaten path and totally worth the walk. I have a long list of other hikes I want to do in the Smokies. Do your own research and find your next adventure on the trails there!
We took a whitewater rafting trip on the Lower Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Outdoors and had a blast. They have several different trips but the one we did was best for smaller kids – they allow kids ages 3 and up, which is great for families. The Upper Pigeon River has more rapids and kids need to be at least 8 years old for that trip. Make sure you check their website when making a reservation since they often have great deals online.
Other places to go whitewater rafting are Smoky Mountain River Rat and Rafting in the Smokies.
The Townsend Wye swimming hole is a lot of fun in the summer. We brought our own tubes and towels and hung out there for a couple hours. You can chill in the water or take your tube down the small rapids or swim as it is deep enough. It’s right at the Townsend, TN entrance to the park and not too far from Cades Cove.
You can also swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Greenbrier swimming hole outside Gatlinburg. You may see that The Sinks is a popular swimming hole but we do not recommend this place as several drownings have happened there. Always use caution wherever you choose to swim.
I’ve tubed in Deep Creek a few times and while the water is really cold, it’s also a lot of fun! You have to walk the trail back to the starting point every time but it’s totally worth it and pretty cheap, especially if you bring your own tubes. A new rule that the national park has instituted is that every child ages 13 and under must wear a life jacket while tubing. Here are some places to go tubing in the Smoky Mountains:
They have two tubing locations in East Tennessee near the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area: 205 Wears Valley Road, Townsend (Ages 3+) 8435 State Highway 73, Townsend (Ages 6+)
Tubing passes for both outposts are $16.99 (6-12 years old) and $21.99 (13+ years) in advance online. Day of tickets online are $26.99/adult and $21.99/kids. Walk-in ticket purchases are $30+. Dog passes start at $14.99.
Every time we’ve got to the Smokies, we have seen fisherman in the creeks and rivers that run through the park. As long as you have a fishing license, you can fish the 2,900 miles of streams and creeks within the park. Take a look at the Smokies website to get all the best information and rules on trout fishing within the park.
I think the park harbors many secrets just given its history (read about it before you go!) but there are some pretty incredible things to see here that you’ll find hardly anywhere else.
Synchronous Fireflies
These fireflies are very unique because unlike other fireflies, they will light up all at the same time, which is quite the show. Because they are so cool, the Park severely limits visitors during May and June to the areas where the fireflies light up because humans have done so much damage to the environment over the years. To see the fireflies, you have to enter the lottery, which costs a dollar. If you manage to win, you’ll pay a parking fee at Elkmont -around $25 – to take a shuttle into the park to see the fireflies. The lottery opens in late April just for a few days and you will be notified by mid-May if you won.
My daughters and I have seen the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont and it’s hard to describe just how special that experience was. It felt like you were walking in space with an otherworldly light show happening everywhere you looked. You’re in complete darkness and are so mesmerized by what you’re seeing that you don’t want to go anywhere. You just want to watch the magic happen.
Walker Sisters Cabin
Pick up this trail to the Walkers Sisters Cabin at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. The cabin was built in 1859 where John and Margaret Walker lived with their 11 children. Only one of the girls married, another died a decade later, and the last five Walker sisters ended up living at the cabin together as their homestead. They stayed after the park was acquired by the U.S. Government and sold handmade items to visitors who happened upon their cabin. The trail isn’t hard and goes past an old schoolhouse and cemetery as well.
I have never gotten tired of the views of the Smokies no matter how many times I see the majestic peaks and clouds weaving through the tree tops. Here are a few places to see some incredible views.
Newfound Gap
In the other direction from Cades Cove is Newfound Gap, which is on the way to Clingmans Dome. There is a large parking lot at the pull off for the site, with plenty of viewing points and photo opportunities.
Newfound Gap sits at just over 5,000 feet above sea level and is the lowest possible pass through the park. Since it’s so high up, it gets a hefty amount of snow a year, average is 69 inches, and is about 10 degrees cooler than Gatlinburg.
The Appalachian Trail crosses here so you can take a stroll to enjoy the view and stretch your legs.
Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet above sea level, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, in Tennessee, and on the Appalachian Trail as well as the third highest point east of the Mississippi River.
Clingmans Dome is about 40 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitors Center and just seven miles from Newfound Gap. The road to Clingmans Dome is closed from December 1 through March 31st, although the observation tower is open year round, but can also close at other times for weather to be sure to check to make sure its open before you go.
The drive up there is stunning. You feel like you’re one top of the world and can see into Tennessee and North Carolina on clear days. The parking lot for Clingmans Dome sits a half mile from the observation deck and it’s a steep hike up there. It’s straight up and not suitable for people with health problems, strollers, or wheelchairs. Don’t worry too much if you can’t make it to the top because the views from the parking lot are amazing.
The storied Appalachian Trail runs through the Great Smoky Mountains and up to Clingmans Dome and you can take a short part of it on the way up or down to the observation tower if you like. It connects to the Clingmans Dome Trail for a total length of almost a mile to the parking lot or back, one way. The vegetation is so vastly different from that of the parks and trails near Greenville that is feels like you’re in another world. It’s beautiful.
Once you huff and puff your way to the top of the observation tower, you’ll be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the park. I’ve seen so many stunning photos of both the sunrise and sunset from this point and while I’m not hiking up there in the dark, the views during the day are breathtaking. It is absolutely worth it to hike up there (maybe bribe the kids with a snack when you get to the top).
The history of the area surrounding Clingmans Dome goes back to the Cherokee tribe as they were pushed out of their lands and walked through what is known as the “Trail of Tears.” Even with the crowds up there, I found the area to be peaceful, especially as we took the trail from the observation tower back down to the parking lot where we only saw a handful of people. Perhaps those spirits of the Cherokee still linger.
Foothills Parkway
Don’t miss the less traveled Foothills Parkway, where you’ll be rewarded with less traffic and beautiful views of the Smokies. This was the first place I stopped on my maiden visit to the national park and it did not disappoint.
I’ve done a lot of things in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and it’s really hard to choose my favorites but I’ll try. You can see more things to do and reviews in our larger guide to the Gatlinburg area.
Anakeesta
I think this mountaintop village is amazing. You can either take an open air chondala or ride up to Anakeesta in a huge truck to the top. Once there, you can run through the treetops on swinging bridges, eat lunch or dinner while enjoying beautiful views, climb the highest tower on a mountain, go zip lining and ride the mountain coaster, play on the forest-themed play areas, and cool off in the splash pad.
Sky Bridge
You can see the Sky Bridge from downtown Gatlinburg and it’s no wonder you can: it’s the longest pedestrian bridge in North America. They have two glass floor partitions on the swinging bridge which will probably test your courage. There are short trails at the top and a new Tulip Tower to climb plus a cool gift shop and snack bar.
Dollywood
The iconic theme park is a lot of fun for families as it has areas for little and big kids plus a locomotive train and awesome shows. Dollywood at Christmas is especially fun with the unique shows and massive display of Christmas lights.
Take a boat ride in an underground lake at the Lost Sea Adventure. This is absolutely as cool as it sounds.
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks
This is on my bucket list and one of the things I really, really want to do in the Smokies. You can hike with llamas with Smoky Mountain Llama Treks and I am sure this is super cool.
Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountain National Park
There are lovely campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I’ve stayed at Elkmont, the Cosby one (quiet and spacious) and the Cades Cove one, which is beautiful and also pretty spacious, plus right next to the Cove. Greenbrier and Smokemont are other popular campgrounds.
There are so many great spots to stay: theMargaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Greystone Lodge in Gatlinburg, the Go Lodge, Westgate Smokies, Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort, Camp LeConte, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge, The Ridge Outdoor Resort, and Wilderness at the Smokies. This Gatlinburg area guide has several options and reviews.
Where to Eat Near Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Your best bet is to bring food with you for a day at the park. We enjoyed probably the best pancakes I’ve ever had at the Little House of Pancakes in Gatlinburg one of the mornings and brought lunch and snacks the rest of the time. The nearest Walmart Supercenter is 25 minutes north in Sevierville.
Townsend is the nearest town to Cades Cove and there are a few places on the way back to Pigeon Forge if you drive through there. We ate at Paw Paw’s Catfish Kitchen, which had a great selection of catfish, crawfish, and gumbo.
With one of our national treasures being so close to Greenville – and nearly free! – it is absolutely worth the time to make a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
