Skip to content
Smoky Mountain Wanderings
  • Home
  • Things to DoExpand
    • Events and Festivals
    • Fall Colors
    • Outdoor Things to Do
    • Restaurants
  • AreasExpand
    • Smoky Mountains Overall
    • Tennessee Smoky Mountains
    • Gatlinburg
    • Pigeon Forge
    • North Carolina Smoky Mountains
  • Best OfExpand
    • Fall Colors Guide
    • Couples Adventures
    • Places to See Fall Colors
    • Gatlinburg for Adults
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Horseback Riding
    • Moonshine Tastings & Tours
  • Contact
Smoky Mountain Wanderings

Author: Matt Heffner

Sugarlands Visitor Center: The Start of Something Good

Sugarlands Visitor Center: The Start of Something Good

If you’re heading into the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg, there’s one stop you absolutely shouldn’t skip — Sugarlands Visitor Center. It might not…

Read More Sugarlands Visitor Center: The Start of Something GoodContinue

Fontana Lake: Where the Smokies Hold Their Breath

Fontana Lake: Where the Smokies Hold Their Breath

Fontana Lake isn’t flashy. It doesn’t sparkle in Instagram geotags or show up on Top 10 Smoky Mountain Destinations lists. There are no boardwalks,…

Read More Fontana Lake: Where the Smokies Hold Their BreathContinue

Proctor, North Carolina: The Smoky Mountain Town That Disappeared

Proctor, North Carolina: The Smoky Mountain Town That Disappeared

Tucked along the far shoreline of Fontana Lake — accessible only by boat or a long hike — is what’s left of Proctor, a…

Read More Proctor, North Carolina: The Smoky Mountain Town That DisappearedContinue

Smoky Mountain

Is Your Most-Asked Question About the Smokies on This List?

Every day, thousands of people turn to Google or their favorite AI assistant to figure out how to plan the perfect Smoky Mountains trip….

Read More Is Your Most-Asked Question About the Smokies on This List?Continue

8 Secret Scenic Drives

Leaf-Peeping Without the Crowds: 8 Secret Scenic Drives & Pull-Offs in the Smoky Mountains

When fall colors reach their peak in the Smokies, the crowds usually follow. Iconic drives like Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove are breathtaking,…

Read More Leaf-Peeping Without the Crowds: 8 Secret Scenic Drives & Pull-Offs in the Smoky MountainsContinue

SM Fall Rentals

Cabin Fever: 10 Unique Rentals to Soak Up Smoky Mountain Fall Views

Early morning fog drifts across the valley. Outside, maple, poplar, and oak are bursting into flame. You step onto a deck, coffee in hand,…

Read More Cabin Fever: 10 Unique Rentals to Soak Up Smoky Mountain Fall ViewsContinue

SM Fall Roads

Fall Roads Less Traveled: Smoky Mountains Edition

I opened the car door and inhaled: crisp, woodsy air with a trace of moss and morning chill. The kind that wakes you up…

Read More Fall Roads Less Traveled: Smoky Mountains EditionContinue

Cataloochee Valley

Cataloochee Valley: The Smokies’ Quiet Side of Magic

Tucked deep into the folds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Valley is the kind of place that whispers rather than shouts….

Read More Cataloochee Valley: The Smokies’ Quiet Side of MagicContinue

SM by water

Smoky Mountains by Water: Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, & Waterfall Wading Adventures Worth the Detour

Most travelers experience the Smoky Mountains by road or trail, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, when you explore the region from the…

Read More Smoky Mountains by Water: Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, & Waterfall Wading Adventures Worth the DetourContinue

Smoky Mountains After Dark

Smoky Mountains After Dark: Where to Stargaze, Wander, & Explore When the Sun Goes Down

The Smoky Mountains are famous for their scenic drives, fog-kissed overlooks, and daylight hikes through ferny hollows. But, there’s something extraordinary that happens when…

Read More Smoky Mountains After Dark: Where to Stargaze, Wander, & Explore When the Sun Goes DownContinue

10 Reasons the Smoky Mountains Are Better Than the Rocky Mountains

10 Reasons the Smoky Mountains Are Better Than the Rocky Mountains

The United States is home to two of the most breathtaking mountain ranges: the Smoky Mountains in the Southeast and the Rocky Mountains in…

Read More 10 Reasons the Smoky Mountains Are Better Than the Rocky MountainsContinue

SM Zipline

Soar Through the Trees: Smoky Mountain Ziplining Adventures

Ziplining in the Smoky Mountains can either be the thrill of a lifetime or someone’s worst fear. And often, it’s both. That feeling of…

Read More Soar Through the Trees: Smoky Mountain Ziplining AdventuresContinue

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA town skyline in the Smoky Mountains.

9 Gatlinburg Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is one of those places that promises mountain magic and delivers… if you know how to navigate it wisely. Located near the…

Read More 9 Gatlinburg Travel Mistakes to AvoidContinue

9 Best Drive-Thru Views in the Smokies (No Hiking Required!)

9 Best Drive-Thru Views in the Smokies (No Hiking Required!)

Growing up, I never understood why people drove for fun. Coming home from lunch after church on a Sunday afternoon often meant getting stuck…

Read More 9 Best Drive-Thru Views in the Smokies (No Hiking Required!)Continue

Pigeon Forge welcome sign

6 Pigeon Forge Travel Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is an exciting destination filled with family-friendly attractions, breathtaking mountain views, and endless entertainment. But if you’re not careful, your trip…

Read More 6 Pigeon Forge Travel Mistakes You Don’t Want to MakeContinue

SM Covered Bridges

Let’s Take a Scenic Road Trip Through the Covered Bridges of the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are known for their misty peaks, lush forests, and charming small towns. But did you know this region is also home…

Read More Let’s Take a Scenic Road Trip Through the Covered Bridges of the Smoky MountainsContinue

This Two-Mile Hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park Leads to a Forgotten Artist’s Cabin

This Two-Mile Hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park Leads to a Forgotten Artist’s Cabin

Tucked away in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Mayna Treanor Avent Studio is a place most visitors never find. This…

Read More This Two-Mile Hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park Leads to a Forgotten Artist’s CabinContinue

Grapeyard Ridge Trail

Have You Heard About the Smoky Mountain Ghost Train?!?

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is popular for its misty peaks and intriguing history. One of the park’s hidden gems is the Grapeyard…

Read More Have You Heard About the Smoky Mountain Ghost Train?!?Continue

Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems Smoky Mountains Road Trip: 8 Secret Spots Most Visitors Never See

The Hidden Gems Smoky Mountains Road Trip is the ultimate adventure for those who love uncovering secrets hidden within Great Smoky Mountains National Park!…

Read More Hidden Gems Smoky Mountains Road Trip: 8 Secret Spots Most Visitors Never SeeContinue

Cherokee Bear Project

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: The Cherokee Bear Project

If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and surprisingly meaningful way to explore Cherokee, North Carolina, the Cherokee Bears Project should be on your…

Read More We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: The Cherokee Bear ProjectContinue

Cable Grist Mill, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Grinding Through History: Cable Grist Mill is a Smoky Mountains Must-See

If you’re heading to the Smokies, don’t miss the chance to visit one of its most fascinating historic spots – Cable Grist Mill in…

Read More Grinding Through History: Cable Grist Mill is a Smoky Mountains Must-SeeContinue

a map of a waterfall road trip through the Smoky Mountains

This Waterfall Road Trip in the Smoky Mountains is Totally Worth the Drive

Ready to chase some waterfalls? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has some of the most magical spots you’ll ever see. From easy strolls…

Read More This Waterfall Road Trip in the Smoky Mountains is Totally Worth the DriveContinue

Little Greenbrier Hike

Lost in Time: Exploring Little Greenbrier’s Forgotten Ghost Town in the Smoky Mountains

Tucked deep in the woods of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a place where history and nature come together: Little Greenbrier. This…

Read More Lost in Time: Exploring Little Greenbrier’s Forgotten Ghost Town in the Smoky MountainsContinue

Things to Avoid in the Fall in the Smoky Mountains

Visiting the Smoky Mountains This Fall? Avoid These 8 Things.

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is a stunning experience. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that cover the mountains during peak leaf season make…

Read More Visiting the Smoky Mountains This Fall? Avoid These 8 Things.Continue

Smoky Mountain Tips

5 Tips for First-Time Visitors to the Smoky Mountains

Welcome to the Smoky Mountains, a natural playground brimming with endless adventure and breathtaking views that are sure to make your first visit unforgettable….

Read More 5 Tips for First-Time Visitors to the Smoky MountainsContinue

Smoky Mountain Traffic

Driving & Parking in Pigeon Forge: Tips for Stress-Free Transportation

Navigating traffic and finding parking in Pigeon Forge can be challenging, especially during the tourist high season or special events. Combining effective driving strategies…

Read More Driving & Parking in Pigeon Forge: Tips for Stress-Free TransportationContinue

Smoky Mountain T2Avoid

10 Things to AVOID During a Visit to Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge, nestled in the heart of Tennessee, is a vibrant tourist destination known for its beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery and family-friendly attractions. However,…

Read More 10 Things to AVOID During a Visit to Pigeon ForgeContinue

No Hike Falls

Discover Western North Carolina’s Ultimate “No-Hike” Waterfall Road Trip

Looking for an unforgettable adventure near the Smoky Mountains that won’t require hiking boots? Western North Carolina’s ultimate “no-hike” waterfall road trip is the…

Read More Discover Western North Carolina’s Ultimate “No-Hike” Waterfall Road TripContinue

Pigeon Forge

How to Enjoy Authentic Local Experiences in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is a bustling hub of tourist activity with an array of attractions designed to draw visitors. While these can offer fun and…

Read More How to Enjoy Authentic Local Experiences in Pigeon ForgeContinue

Sloppy Hog Burger Joint - Wears Valley

Savoring the Best at Sloppy Hog Burger Joint: A New Favorite in Wears Valley, TN

Sloppy Hog Burger Joint, an exciting new casual dining venue in the heart of Wears Valley, TN, delights diners with its mouthwatering burgers, scrumptious…

Read More Savoring the Best at Sloppy Hog Burger Joint: A New Favorite in Wears Valley, TNContinue

Page navigation

1 2 3 4 Next PageNext
  • Home
  • About
  • Web Stories
  • Terms of Service
  • UGC Terms
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
Facebook Instagram Pinterest

© 2025 Smoky Mountain Wanderings

Scroll to top
  • Home
  • Things to Do
    • Events and Festivals
    • Fall Colors
    • Outdoor Things to Do
    • Restaurants
  • Areas
    • Smoky Mountains Overall
    • Tennessee Smoky Mountains
    • Gatlinburg
    • Pigeon Forge
    • North Carolina Smoky Mountains
  • Best Of
    • Fall Colors Guide
    • Couples Adventures
    • Places to See Fall Colors
    • Gatlinburg for Adults
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Horseback Riding
    • Moonshine Tastings & Tours
  • Contact
Facebook Group Instagram Facebook
Search