When you stay at an American Mountain Rentals cabin or chalet in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville Tennessee you will be close to all the action and activities in the Smoky Mountains including the Great Smoky Mountains national park.
Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Pigeon Forge offers the best indoor and outdoor entertainment in the Smokies with wonderful places to take the whole family such as the Dollywood amusement theme park, water parks such as Dolly Parton's Splash Country, indoor an outdoor golf, dinner theaters such as Dixie Stampede or one of the other hundreds of local restaurants in Pigeon Forge TN.
If you are interested in going to Dollywood, when making your reservation ask about the Discount Dollywood and Splash Country tickets!
Pigeon Forge is also a bargain hunter's paradise with hundreds of factory discount outlet stores packed with name brand items at discount prices. Don't wait to get your Christmas shopping done last minute at the mall. Year round discount prices and lots of shopping choices await you in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
Gatlinburg Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a charming town nestled in the mountains where you will find plenty of fine restaurants as well as Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley Believe it or not, Ober Gatlinburg, haunted houses, the artist community, quaint shops and so much more. Gatlinburg is the best location in the Smokies for those who wish to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as there are 3 entrances to the national park right in Gatlinburg.
Sevierville Tennessee
Historic Sevierville Tennessee is best know for entertainment such as the NASCAR Speed Park, diner theaters, tons of restaurants and plenty of shopping in stores all along the Parkway and 66 to I40 and the brand new start of the art Sevierville Event Center for conventions.
Sevierville is also home to the Echota Private Vacation Resort community where you are only a block away from the new Sevierville convention center, but you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the Smokies, swimming in the private community pool, playing tennis or volleyball. If you are bringing a large group or having a reunion in the Smokies, think about renting a cabin in Echota as American Mountain Rentals has many beautiful cabins for rent within walking distance to one another!
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Information
Year round the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with entrances in Gatlinburg, Wears Valley near Pigeon Forge and in nearby towns Townsend and Cosby TN has exciting and relaxing activates the whole family can enjoy.
Whether this is your first time to the park or you are an old hand it is good idea the go to the Sugarlands Visitors center right at the Gatlinburg entrance to find out the latest news and park information, trail conditions and special activities.
Hiking, biking, fishing, touring by car and picnicking are the most popular past times all of which can be enjoy all throughout the national park. If you want to go horseback riding in the national park Gatlinburg or Cades Cove are the top choices.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Motor Tours:
Newfound Gap Road Auto Tour
A great way to start exploring the national park is to take Newfound Gap Road right by the Sugarlands visitor center at the Gatlinburg park entrance. You will get to explore 26 miles of curving twists up through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee into North Carolina. Newfound Gap Road reaches heights of 5,048 ft and offers beautiful vistas, bluffs and roadside exhibits.
Park at the Clingmans Dome parking area near Newfound Gap and walk 1/2 mile up to the tower for the best view of the mountains in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is also the fastest most direct way to get to Cherokee North Carolina and the Cherokee Reservation.
Cades Cove Auto Tour
The Cades Cove 11 miles Loop Road is a must see for anyone visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore nature and the rich history of Tennessee and see white tailed deer, wild turkey, and sometimes even a black bear that find its way into your path. Historical log homes, hand hewn in the Smokies, by early pioneers offer fun and informative diversions along the way.
It is also possible to walk, bike or stroll along this paved road. In warmer weather biking around the Cades Cove Loop is a great way to see this outdoor museum and you can rent bikes in Cades Cove for an hour or all day. You can now rent either a single speed bike or a multi-speed bikes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking Trails:
Laurel Falls (between Gatlinburg and Wears Valley)
One of the most popular hikes in the national park is the paved 2.6-mile round-trip hike to Laurel Falls. Hikers will see a beautifully waterfall that can be enjoyed year round and will pass through wooded areas and see views of a mountain range. There is a self guided tour you can take with pamphlets found at the trailhead which is 3.9 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road on the way to Cades Cove.
Rainbow Falls (Gatlinburg)
A more strenuous 5.5-mile round-trip hike in the Roaring Fork Area of the park. Rainbow Falls is a large scenic waterfall. Hikers will enjoy mountain and stream views as the trail runs along pretty stream for a while and passes by large trees and rocks. The parking area and trailhead are on Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg.
Hen Wallow Falls (Cosby)
This 4.5-mile round-trip hike is on the Gabes Mountain Trail that starts near the picnic area and there is also a trailhead in the Cosby Campground. Waterfall cascades down a long rock face wall and beyond the falls, the Gabes Mountain Trail leads to old-growth area of forest as well as one of the best backcountry campsites in the national park. One of the nicest falls in the park and stunning in spring.
Ramsay Cascades Falls (Gatlinburg - Pitman Center)
The 8-miles round-trip are worth the effort if you are in condition. Trail starts out easy and passes over a river and along it giving hikers plenty of beautiful views. You will come along some old growth trees on your way top the top where the falls are where you can expect as much as a 10 degree drop in temperature. The trail is on the Greenbrier section of the park less than 5 minutes from the Gatlinburg city line on Highway 321. To get to trailhead for Ramsey Cascades you follow the main park road and turn left at the bridge. This hike is not for small children.
Old Sugarlands Trail (Gatlinburg)
This commonly overlooked trail is wonderful and the first 2 miles of this trail offer a glimpses of the old Sugarlands community where you will see foundations from buildings which predated the national park. This trail has only a minimal elevation gain and is mostly shaded in the spring, summer and fall. A 6.2 mile loop hike can be achieved by combining Old Sugarlands Trail and Two-mile Branch Trail. Trailhead is between the Gatlinburg park entrance and the Sugarlands visitor center and sometimes you will have to park ta the visitor center.
Little Greenbrier (Near Wears Valley Entrance)
Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and walk across the bridge. Take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail .6 mile to the Little Greenbrier School where there ia also a cemetary. If you wish, you can continue 1 mile from the school to the Walker Sisters farmstead with historic buildings on the Little Brier Gap Trail. Take this trail to the top for outstanding mountain vistas year round.
Old Settlers Trail (Gatlinburg - Pitman Center)
Old Settlers Trail has parking which is just after your cross the 2nd bridge. This is a very long trail from end to end but you can walk in as far as you want. Pass by remnants of the Greenbrier community, walk along valley floor and climb up to see outstanding vistas of the mountains in the park. This is one of the quietest major trails in the National Park and most hikers turn around at the backcountry campsite. Take 321 out of Gatlinburg and turn into the Greenbrier area of the national park and continue until you turn at the bridge toward Ramsay Cascades Trail.
Other Outdoor Activities in The Smoky Mountains:
Outdoors in the surrounding areas you can rent motorcycles, rafts, take a ride on a helicopter or go fishing or rides horses in the Smokies.