Lonely Planet Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are part of the vast Appalachian chain, among the oldest mountains on the planet. Formed more than 200 million years ago, these ancient peaks were once much higher perhaps as high as the Himalayas but have been worn down by the ages. You can contemplate that remote past while huffing up to the top of a 6000ft peak overlooking the seemingly endless expanses of undulating ridges. There are mesmerizing viewpoints across the park, as well as one mountaintop lodge that can only be reached by foot.

Reconnecting with Nature

The Smokies are a magical place to unplug from modern life and reconnect with nature indeed youll be forced to, given the lack of mobile-phone service within the park. Days here are spent hiking past shimmering waterfalls and picnicking beside boulder-filled mountain streams, followed by evenings around the campfire as stars glimmer above the forest. Abundant plant and animal species create memorable opportunities for wildlife-watching, whether seeing elk grazing in Cataloochee, watching turkeys strut near Oconaluftee, or perhaps spying a bear in Cades Cove.

View from the | ANTHONY HEFLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

By Regis St Louis, Writer

I have fond memories of coming to the park as a young boy and experiencing the wonderment of nature for the first time: thundering waterfalls, towering trees that reached high into the sky and fern-lined streams full of salamanders. Years later, after returning with my own children, I realized these biologically rich forests have lost none of their magic. The Smokies have so many different facets from the hundreds of miles of hiking trails to the myriad cascades and breathtaking mountaintop views its hard not to be filled with wonder after a trip here.

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No matter when you visit, the in the national park offers dazzling views. From the circular, flying-saucer-like viewing platform, youll have a sweeping 360-degree panorama of the undulating waves of forested peaks that stretch off into the distance. While its an easy but steep uphill walk along the paved half-mile path to the observation tower, there are many outstanding trails that cross through here including the Appalachian Trail. And if you come in winter, when the access road is closed, youll have those grand views all to yourself.