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Area
Attractions & Local Information
Outdoor Activities in the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park
Fishing:
Since the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
has over 2000 streams and brooks, it offers angling
opportunities from trout to small mouth bass. The
Great Smoky Mountains National Park also protects
one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern
United States. Fishing is permitted in the park from
30 minutes before and after sunrise/sunset with
stream locations obtained from most ranger stations
and visitor centers. A fishing license is required
from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either
state license is valid in the park with no trout
stamp required. Special permits are required to fish
in Cherokee and Gatlinburg. North Carolina
requirements state that residents and non
residents age 16 years or older must have a valid
license. Residents 70 or older may obtain a special
license from the state. Tennessee requirements state
that residents and non residents age 13 or older
must have a valid license. Residents 65 or older
may obtain a special license from the state. Person
under the age of 16 in North Carolina and under the
age of 13 in Tennessee are entitled to the adult
daily bag and possession limits and are subject to
all other regulations. For more information
including size limits, bait regulations etc please
visit
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/justforfun.html#fishing
Bicycling in the Smokies:
Bicycling is allowed on most roads in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, but due to heavy
traffic and steep, winding inclines, many roads are
not suitable for bicycling. The one exception is
the one way 11 miles loop offered by Cades Cove.
From the second week in May through the last weekend
in September, Cades Cove is closed to motor vehicles
on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 AM EST
to allow bicyclist and pedestrians to enjoy the cove
without automobiles present. This closure provides
and excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy a
close up view of wildlife and historic 19th
century homesites. You can rent bicycles at the
Cades Cove store located in the Cades Cove
campground. Safety is the utmost concern when
vehicles and bicycles share the road. Tennessee
laws require children 16 and under wear a helmet and
also recommended that everyone do so.
Maintaining a properly equipped bicycle with side
mirrors and properly fitting clothing are also
recommended. Also please obey all traffic
regulations. Other bicycling paths include the
unfinished Foothills Parkway, Greenbrier and Tremont
roads in Tennessee and Lakeview Drive and
Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina.
Picnicing in the Smokies:
Picnic areas are located in Big Creek, Chimney Tops,
Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek,
Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms
and Twin Creek. To download a location map for these
areas visit
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/pphtml/maps.html
All picnic areas have pavilions except Chimneys and
Cades Cove. All others may be reserved up to 5
months in advance by 1-800-365-2267 or online at
http://reservations.nps.gov.
All pavilions except
Twin Creek cost $20. Twin Creeks price range from
$35 to $75. Payment can be made by personal check or
credit card. Feeding wildlife is prohibited.
Please dispose of all garbage in the bear proof
containers or abide by the “if you carry it in,
you can carry it out” rule.
Swimming in the
Smokies:
Water activities in
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
are not recommended for the following reason:
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Run off after
heavy rains can accumulate swiftly causing
strong currents and under-currents. Rocks in and
around streams and waterfalls are covered with
algae and are quite slippery. Rocks, tree limbs
and debris are located just beneath the waters
surface and could cause bodily harm if diving or
accidentally falling into the water. Accidental
drowning could occur if your foot becomes lodged
underneath rocks. Hypothermia and death could
occur due to the temperature of the cold
mountain streams.
Water activities
should be limited to designated rafting and tubing
areas in around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and
Townsend.
Horse Back Riding:
From mid March
through late November, horses can be rented by the
hour at 4 commercial stables located inside the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rates range
from $20 per hour. Locations and information can be
obtained at the following locations: Cades Cove
(865-448-6286), featuring horseback riding, carriage
and hay rides. Smoky Mountain
(865-436-5634), located near Gatlinburg, features
horseback riding. Sugarland (865-436-3535),
located just outside Gatlinburg on 441, features
guided trails. Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC
(828-497-2373).
5 drive in horse
camps are available for people wishing to bring
their own horses. Each campsite is limited to 6
people, 4 horses 2 trailers (horse or camping) and 2
vehicles. Horse camps are located in Cades Cove
(Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round
Bottom, Towstring and are open April through
October. Reservations are required and can be made
1-800-365-2267. Fees range from $20 to $25 for Big
Creek. Detail rules, regulations and cancellation
fees and policy can be obtained by visiting
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/justforfun.html#horse
Friends of the Smokies:
Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
assists the national park service in its mission to
preserve and protect the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park by raising funds and public awareness
and by providing volunteers for needed projects. For
more information and to join, visit
http://www.friendsofthesmokies.org
Live web cam:
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm
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