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Started By
Message
What reservations do I need for Gatlinburg area activities?
Posted on 6/2/23 at 7:38 am
Posted on 6/2/23 at 7:38 am
We’re taking our ten year old to the mountains for the first time. We plan on doing mostly hikes/waterfalls/swimming holes but also want to do some touristy things.
Reservations already made
‘White water’ rafting
Dixie Stampede
I haven’t been in 20 years, do we need to make any reservations for things like Ruby Falls or other things that require a paid entry? Anything that you would recommend as a must do that would require a reservation?
Reservations already made
‘White water’ rafting
Dixie Stampede
I haven’t been in 20 years, do we need to make any reservations for things like Ruby Falls or other things that require a paid entry? Anything that you would recommend as a must do that would require a reservation?
3
Posted on 6/2/23 at 9:15 am to VanRIch
In GSMNP:
Cades Cove is really cool. Traffic can be horrible. Either go really early in the day (like 7-8 am) or really late in the day, after 5.
There are a lot of cool waterfall hikes in the park. Get to the parking lots at the trail head no later than 7:30. Last year, we arrived between 7-7:30 and there were only a few parking spots left. The hikes were fun and not crowded. But when we were coming back to the car, there were tons of people just starting their hikes at 10-11 AM.
The Sinks, near Townsend, is a fun swimming hole.
Find a mountain coaster. Read the reviews and pick a good one. I'm sure your 10 year old will love it.
If you decide to do Anakeesta...it's really pretty, but really look at what there is to do on top and do NOT, under any circumstances go there when there is a chance of bad weather. It takes them hours to get you down off the mountain, everything closes, and there is nowhere to take shelter.
Cades Cove is really cool. Traffic can be horrible. Either go really early in the day (like 7-8 am) or really late in the day, after 5.
There are a lot of cool waterfall hikes in the park. Get to the parking lots at the trail head no later than 7:30. Last year, we arrived between 7-7:30 and there were only a few parking spots left. The hikes were fun and not crowded. But when we were coming back to the car, there were tons of people just starting their hikes at 10-11 AM.
The Sinks, near Townsend, is a fun swimming hole.
Find a mountain coaster. Read the reviews and pick a good one. I'm sure your 10 year old will love it.
If you decide to do Anakeesta...it's really pretty, but really look at what there is to do on top and do NOT, under any circumstances go there when there is a chance of bad weather. It takes them hours to get you down off the mountain, everything closes, and there is nowhere to take shelter.
Posted on 6/2/23 at 9:22 am to VanRIch
quote:
Ruby Falls
That's in Chattanooga
quote:
The Sinks, near Townsend, is a fun swimming hole.
He's taking a 10 year old. I wouldn't recommend
quote:
Insider Tips:
-Do not make the mistake of underestimating the danger of this beautiful natural pool and waterfall area. There have been serious injuries and deaths at this popular National Park spot due to the strong undertow and currents around the falls. While swimming among the natural beauty of the mountains is tempting, it is imperative to pick a safe place without strong currents. At least 60 deaths have occurred here since the 1930s (when it was founded.)
Posted on 6/2/23 at 11:50 am to Shexter
quote:
That's in Chattanooga
Yep. Sorry for the confusion. Our plan is to drive to Chattanooga Friday night, spend a day there. Wake up Sunday and take the long scenic route to Gatlinburg.
Thanks for the heads up about the Sinks. That was definitely on my list. I’d like to go to a swimming hole. How about the Townsend Wyes?
This post was edited on 6/2/23 at 11:52 am
Posted on 6/2/23 at 3:29 pm to Shexter
quote:
The Sinks, near Townsend, is a fun swimming hole.
He's taking a 10 year old. I wouldn't recommend
You don't swim by the bridge. If you turned around and took a photo the other direction, it would look different. Yes, that sign is there because people venture over by the bridge. It doesn't say don't swim...it says pick a safe place.
I'd say look at all the photos, and drive by the Y and the Sinks to see how the look. It's all going to depend on how much rain has fallen anyway.
YMMV, but I would have been allowed to swim there with family when I was 10 and it doesn't look massively different from lots of areas in Texas Rivers where people float all the time.
This post was edited on 6/2/23 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 6/3/23 at 5:22 am to VanRIch
The only requirement is to have a parking pass to park for more than 15 minutes anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains and they can be purchased at the various visitor centers. No reservations are required to access roads or trailheads but lack of parking will prevent access to certain places w/o proper planning. First, since you are staying in Gatlinburg you need to plan for travel time to access areas like Cades Cove or Clingmans Dome. Use the links below or I would visit the Sugarlands Visitor Center since it is the first one available from Gatlinburg and get a trail map and speak to the staff there they will help you plan. As for Cades Cove you could spend most of 1 day sightseeing and hiking in the Cove. Wednesday is car free day on the Loop Road only bikes or walking allowed. So if you would like to ride bikes which you can rent on-site you can access the area by car and park. The Loop Rd itself is 11 miles long and it’s one way with exits at Rich Mtn Rd if traffic is too unbearable. It opens at sunrise and closes at dusk and you can’t get locked in law enforcement Rangers sweep the crowds out.
I would be on the Loop Rd Cade before 9 AM or earlier especially if you plan to stop and actually get out of your car and see things like John Oliver Cabin or Primitive Baptist or visit the Cable Mill area and Visitor Center. A nice 3 hour hike is one to Abrams Falls and it can be accessed via 5 mile round trip hike the trailhead that is almost at halfway mark on the Loop Rd drive. Plenty of parking is available at all the major stops like this.
Bears are out often and most of the days right now lots of deer and turkeys too. Plenty of insects like butterflies and fireflies right now too are visible.
Swimming at the Wye is popular you can also swim in any other areas where it is safe to do so.
Use the link below to see where the waterfalls are as they are quite popular areas to visit. Laurel Falls is quite busy and not a pleasant place to visit unless you want to go with a 100 people you don’t know well. Use link and scout out other waterfalls that are just as beautiful and bust but not a major tourist destination.
If you would like to see elk go visit Oconaluftee or Cataloochee area (which also has lots of areas for creek/river swimming and is very remote in terms of having most of the place to yourself) on the North Carolina side.
Look at first link scroll to bottom and you can actually type in search terms or look at the list and click. Use the the park website to get an idea of what is available and plan from there.
Park info and interactive map
All GRSMNP Waterfalls on a Map
I would be on the Loop Rd Cade before 9 AM or earlier especially if you plan to stop and actually get out of your car and see things like John Oliver Cabin or Primitive Baptist or visit the Cable Mill area and Visitor Center. A nice 3 hour hike is one to Abrams Falls and it can be accessed via 5 mile round trip hike the trailhead that is almost at halfway mark on the Loop Rd drive. Plenty of parking is available at all the major stops like this.
Bears are out often and most of the days right now lots of deer and turkeys too. Plenty of insects like butterflies and fireflies right now too are visible.
Swimming at the Wye is popular you can also swim in any other areas where it is safe to do so.
Use the link below to see where the waterfalls are as they are quite popular areas to visit. Laurel Falls is quite busy and not a pleasant place to visit unless you want to go with a 100 people you don’t know well. Use link and scout out other waterfalls that are just as beautiful and bust but not a major tourist destination.
If you would like to see elk go visit Oconaluftee or Cataloochee area (which also has lots of areas for creek/river swimming and is very remote in terms of having most of the place to yourself) on the North Carolina side.
Look at first link scroll to bottom and you can actually type in search terms or look at the list and click. Use the the park website to get an idea of what is available and plan from there.
Park info and interactive map
All GRSMNP Waterfalls on a Map
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