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FAMILY CAMPING ARTICLES
While visiting Pigeon Forge, you must make a trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park. As the most visited national park in America, the Smokies receive over 9 million visitors a year. There is so much to do and see in the park including overlooks that give you a view of the spectacular mountain ranges, hiking trails, camping, fishing, historic sites and wildlife. There are five different forest types throughout the Smoky Mountains and over 4,000 plant species. Because of the rainfall accumulations in the higher elevations, some sections of the park are actually classified as rain forest. The park totals over 500,000 acres in size.
Most visitors to the Smoky Mountains National Park are there for a one day visit. However, if you love the mountains and enjoy camping, there is no better place in the country to camp than the Smoky Mountains. The campgrounds in the park are primitive on purpose. There are ten campgrounds and all of them offer running water, flush toilets and fire grills. There are fees for staying at these campgrounds but they are low cost. There are no hookups available at these campgrounds.
Hiking is another fun thing to do in the park. Not only does it give you a chance to see the beauty of nature but also is a great way to exercise. There are over 850 miles of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains. The trails range from less difficult half hour walks to more difficult trips. Many provide beautiful scenery, historic sites and waterfalls. The Appalachian Trail stretches 70 miles along the top ridge of the Smoky Mountains.
Wildlife sightings are excellent in the Smoky Mountains. Early morning and late evening are the best times to view wildlife. There are over 65 mammals living in the park with the Bear and Red Wolf being the favorite of visitors. Coyote and Bobcats are the shy ones and their sightings are rare while the Deer are easily viewed in the park. Other animals that you will see are red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, skunks, and bats. Elk, river otters, beavers, wild hogs and of course snakes also reside in the Smoky Mountains.
There are over 230 species of birds in the Smoky Mountains and 110 that reproduce in the park. As far as snakes, the Copperhead and the Timbler Rattler are the only poisonous snakes in the Smokies but neither have lethal poison. The most common non-poisonous snakes are black rat, garter, and the common water snake. Other reptiles include frogs, toads and salamanders. The Smokies 27 types of salamanders make this area the salamander capital of the world.
Fishing is another activity common in the park. Anglers 13 years and over need a valid fishing license to fish in the park which needs to be purchased prior to visiting the Smokies. The national park does not sell licenses. Fishing is permitted year round and there are over 40 species of fish including darters, dace, suckers, bass, shiners, and trout. Brook trout are the only trout native to the Smoky Mountains. Visit a visitors center for fishing regulations.
The weather in the Smoky Mountains can change quickly. The climate is moderate but because of the higher elevations, you can experience changes in the weather rapidly. Elevations in the Park range from 800 feet to 6,643 feet and the temperature can drop from 10 20 degrees from the lower elevations to the higher ones. Also just because it is sunny and nice when you leave for the park, doesnt mean it will stay nice weather through your entire trip. There is an average of 55 inches of rain a year in the lowlands compared to 85 inches of rain in the higher elevations of the Smoky Mountains. If you have questioned why the Smoky Mountains are Smoky it is a result of the rain and evaporation from the trees. The upper elevations of the Smoky Mountains are classified as rain forest.
The beautiful plants in the Smokies is one of the main reasons why it has been classified as a national park. The vegetation is what makes the Smokies so unique. Because of the many elevation levels, rainfall and temperature, these mountains provide a great habitat for over 1,600 different types of flowering plants, 100 types of trees and over 100 kinds of shrubs. The Smokies are sometimes referred to as the Wildflower National Park. There are more types of flowering plants in the Smokies than any other park in the United States. And of course the changing colors of the autumn leaves in the park is absolutely beautiful!
Entrance to the Smoky Mountains is free. Due to deed restrictions imposed when the Smokies were established it was decided that entrance fees would never be permitted. There is limited food and supplies available in the park so it is recommended to pack a picnic and drinks and stop by one of the several picnic spots in the Smokies. Pets must be on leashes at all times and are not permitted on the trails. Horseback riding and bicycle riding are also available in the Smokies.
There are several visitors centers in the Smokies to answer all your questions about the park and offer ideas on experiencing the most out of your stay. Many offer exhibits about the history and culture of the Smoky Mountains. Many tours with guides are offered and most have facilities and shops. The Sugarlands Visitor Center presents a free 20 minute Dolby Digital Surround Sound film about the Smokies which is very interesting. There are several places to go in the Smokies to present to you the beautiful nature and cultural history of the park. If you want to learn more about the culture of the early mountain settlers, then stop by the Mountain Farm Museum, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, or the Roaring Fork area. At these stops you can tour homes, farms, churches and other buildings built by the early settlers. The best places to view wildlife because of the wide open areas are Cades Cove and Cataloochee. For the most spectacular views of the Smoky Mountain range, head for the high elevations of the mountains at Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap. For a visit in a cool shady forest location, you may want to stop by Deep Creek or Roaring Fork.
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