Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg

Being a Local in the Little Smokey Mountains has it advantages of being able to see the beautiful scenes but we seen them a hundred times and we still have lives to live. We hae to put up with the terrible drivers who think that once you're in the mountains the law dont matter. People take pictures in the middle of the road. Come on People its common sense not to do that! We locals still have to be places by certain times. Nearly every year we have people killed or severally injuired from walking to close to the edge of a waterfall that has signs and rails for slippery surfaces. We have people jumping into the mountain rivers that are only a few degrees in temperature. Use your brains people!!!

We have camped in the Smokies for many years and there is just something that draws you back time and time again. You just can't get enough of peaceful feeling you get there. My ancesters came from the Smokies in the area of Wears Valley. That was neat to find out when I started doing the geneology thing. My Grandmother took me there as a small child but I did not know until about 10 years ago that was where relatives were from on her mother's side. We will go again soon, try to go once a year at least. I agree with the getting off the beaten path and we always have to do the loop to look for bears. I've made sure to take my kids and some of my grandkids. I want them to experience the beauty and nature there.

Simply put, the Great Smoky National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I feel it an honor to live in the shadow of their awesome magnificence. Yes, traffic can present a problem here, but if you go off the beaten path onto some of the roads less traveled to get into the mountains, your soul will thank you!!! The real character of these mountains can be found on the back roads that most tourist never get to see. God has truly blessed America with such an awesome wonder in creating the Great Smoky Mountains. Come and find a place of peace and tranquility that is hard to find in the struggles of your day to day life. You will find yourself here!!!

I love the NC mountains!! We visit Hot Springs, NC and it is absolutely stunning! We have visited every year to check out all the beautiful colors of the mountains! There is nothing better than taking a nice relaxing hike or drive in the mountains and feeling that cool fall breeze! There is a plethora of outdoor activities in the area like whitewater rafting, fishing, horseback riding, sightseeing, and not to mention the Hot Springs Spas! The latest place we stayed was the Limestone cabin which is an absolutely gorgeous cabin and we had an amazing time! We recommend Hot Springs, NC to anyone and the Limestone cabin!

We came all the way from the Netherlands( Europe) and had seen so many other Northern American places but we talk the most about our trip to the Smokies. The nature,the people,the silicence etc.etc.

I have mixed feelings about advertising the wonders I have seen on hikes, drives and horseback in my travels along the Blue Ridge and in the entire Smokys chain. Nature's symphony of sights, sounds and smells throughout the year have brought peace to my soul and I willingly share that peace with all comers, however I hate the traffic and the pollution they bring; the fumes and chemicals in the air from millions of cars, the trash from human self-centeredness and stupidity and the noise of so many covering the sounds of the wilderness. In the end, I ask all who search for serenity, come see, touch, taste and smell all the Smoky Mountains, and all of nature for that matter, have to give, but tread lightly and with care, peace and love. Mother Nature gives you her gifts freely and asks nothing in return, but I ask you to care for her in return. I am no tree hugger, vegan or nutcase, just someone who wants to be able to return for her gifts throughout my life and the lives yet to come.

The Great Smokey Mountains attract us by the millions. why? It is our heritage, the roots of our ancestors. Yes, Gatlinburg,Dollywood,Pigeon Forge may have some tourist traps, But you can go any place in the world and run into tourist traps. My advice, Take the road less traveled, You may find what your looking for. And please pack out what you take in, leave no trace.

Stay in Florida. You are ruining our home. You don't need an ugly summer home that drives up prices and ruins our mountains.

If you have never been you need to go, one of the seven wonders of the world, there is no other place that compares, also ride the Blue Ridge Parkway while you are in the area, another beautiful place to visit and enjoy.

We have made several trips to the Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina and have loved every minute of every trip. This Spring we made our way to Gatlinburg for the first time. Even though we had to take a detour that added 2.5 hours to the trip because of a rockslide on I-40, it was well woth it. We loved it so much that we have already booked Spring Break 2011 at the same place. The Holiday Inn Vacation Resort is a great place for a family vacation.