TRIP RECOMMENDATIONS

[JT]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Smoky Mts. Nat'l Park for the third week of June. We are staying for 4 days and want to do some backpacking and hiking. We always stay at the primitive camping sites whenever we take our camping trips. Just wondering if anyone had any advice as to where we should camp, hike and what activities would be fun. From my initial research, looks like some great, great hiking options and a lot of waterfalls to check out. Any information that someone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[AndyJ]

Abrams Falls has a huge pool at it's base and makes a great swimming hole. You can make several loops with the trails in this part of the park for a backpacking trip that includes a walk past the falls.

You can take a natural shower under Rainbow or Grotto Falls and can also combine a number of trails for good backpacking. Same with Henwallow, Mouse Creek, or the falls in the Bryson City area.

Most of the streams in the park have cascades on them of varying sizes that can be accessed via the backcountry. I just listed the most popular, well known falls in my original post as that those are usually the falls people refer to when they mention the Smokies. You should also check out the Hiking Trails of the Smokies, otherwise known as the "little brown book". It details all of the maintained trails in the parks, gives you ideas where campsites are in relation to various mileage on the trails, and provides info on points of interest you may see.

[Dan]

I was in Smokies for the first time last week of May last year. Am looking forward to 2 full weeks starting the 11th. My best hike last year was to Rainbow Falls as I hit the trail at sunup and had the whole place to myself until 10 am. I can't wait to experience that again