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Many folks visiting the Great Smoky Mountains hope to see at least one <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm" target="_blank"> black bear </a> during their time in the National Park! After all, the black bear is the iconic symbol of the park and is one of the first things that people associate with the Smokies! While it can be fascinating to encounter a bear while hiking along the trails or exploring the historical sights, you’ll also want to be aware of some important precautions to keep you and the bear safe! Here are 4 safety tips you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains:

The Sugarlands Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your exploration of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! You’ll not only find helpful park rangers, a fantastic bookstore and extensive natural history exhibits, but also several trails that depart nearby for your hiking adventures! Here are 4 fun Smoky Mountain hiking trails near the Sugarlands Visitor Center:

Hiking is one of the most common <a href="https://smokymountainnationalpark.com/things-to-do/" target="_blank"> things you can do </a> in the Smoky Mountains. If you’re interested in taking a hike in the Smokies, you’ll be happy to know that you can go hiking year round! Here’s what you can expect when you go hiking in the Smoky Mountains throughout the year:

There are plenty of ways to experience the nature of the Smoky Mountains, including exploring over 850 miles of hiking trails. If you want to go <a href="/blog/best-family-hikes-smoky-mountains">hiking with your family</a> for the first time, you’ll want to try a nature trail! Here are 4 family friendly nature trails in the Smoky Mountains you’ll have to hike:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to hundreds of miles of trails, many of which are <a href="/blog/short-hikes-in-the-great-smoky-mountains">shorter hikes</a> or great hikes for beginners. If you are new to hiking, Middle Prong Trail is one you should try. Learn about the hiking Middle Prong Trail in the Smoky Mountains here:

When hiking in the Smokies, it is not uncommon to find trails that pass by or cross over water features like creeks and rivers. However, Smoky Mountain visitors often try to find the view of waterfalls along hiking trails! Here are 5 unique waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains that you’ll want to find:

The Smoky Mountains are full of opportunities for outdoor exploration, especially when it comes to hiking. If you’re looking for <a href="/blog/easy-hiking-trails-in-the-smoky-mountains">an easier hike</a> or one that everyone can enjoy, Little River Trail might be the trail for you. Hiking this path comes with a mixture of water features, old structures, scenic views, and access to other trails! Keep reading to learn more about the Little River Trail:

If you love <a href="/blog/best-hiking-trails-in-the-smoky-mountains-national-park-with-waterfalls">hikes with waterfalls</a> or other water features, you’ll have to take some time to explore Meigs Creek Trail, a moderate trail located near Townsend and Gatlinburg TN. Learn more about hiking Meigs Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.

One of the most popular places in the Smoky Mountains is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a great place to get beautiful views of the mountains, see historic buildings, and observe wildlife like black bears, salamanders, and wild turkeys. While there are several Cades Cove hikes that are more well known, there are some pretty underrated trails close by that are worth checking out too! Here are 3 Smoky Mountain hiking trails that you may want to explore near Cades Cove:

When you visit Cades Cove, you will be met with an array of historical buildings. If you love history, there are many different structures that you can hike to that tell the story of the Smoky Mountains. One of those places happens to be an old cabin that was once owned by the first permanent European settlers in the area. Here is everything you need to know about hiking to John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove:

<a href="https://smokymountainnationalpark.com/popular-places-smoky-mountains/" target="_blank"> Gatlinburg Trail </a> is a great hiking trail to explore when you visit the Smokies! Since the trail is considered easy, anyone can enjoy walking through the woods on this path! It’s a great way to get outside on your trip and spend time in the national park. Keep reading to find out more about hiking the Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times in the Smoky Mountains. The leaves begin to change colors and there is a chill in the air. Because of the beautiful scenery, this is the perfect season to go on a hike. Here are 4 reasons to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains during fall:

When it comes to magnificent pictures, you will not find a better backdrop than the Smoky Mountains. It is the perfect place to take family photos for any occasion. There are also some great family hikes in the area you can take that will give you some even better pictures. Here are 4 of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains that are perfect for family photos:

Do you love going to museums and memorials to learn about history? Not only is the Smoky Mountains full of fantastic history museums, there are also many different hikes you can take that teach all about the history of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm" target="_blank"> Great Smoky Mountains National Park </a>. Why not mix your love of history and the beauty of the mountains to have an unforgettable adventure? Here are 4 of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains for history lovers:

There are a ton of great destinations in the Smoky Mountains that you can get to by hiking. One of those must see spots in the Mt. Cammerer fire tower. This hike is 11.2 miles roundtrip if you take the most popular route via Low Gap Trail. While this hike is a little intense, there are few sights that can live up to the views that you will encounter from the fire tower. Here is a little more about the path you will take to the Mt. Cammerer fire tower.