Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tips | 5 Things to Know Before You Go!

If you’re planning a trip to the iconic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, here are 5 things you need to know before you go!
You’ll learn important tips about the crowds, trails, lodging, when to go, and what makes this park so popular.
5 Things You Need to Know:
0:40 #1 Great Smoky Mountains is a complex national park
3:27 #2 Lodging in the Great Smoky Mountains is scarce
8:38 #3 Great Smoky Mountains National Park is crowded
11:08 #4 Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee
11:51 Parking tag basics
13:41 #5 This park has a very rich history and lots of great hiking trails
Those are the 5 things you need to know before planning your trip to Great Smoky Mountains!
Check out the Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planning Guide here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-s...
Get your Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-s...

[@fpd5874]

Excellent video. I used to work in the Smoky Mountains NP in 80-82 out of the Deep Creek Ranger Station. Couldn’t believe I was getting paid to be a back country ranger. Riding my NP horse all over the backcountry, I would’ve done it for free! Best job I ever had, miss those days!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That is so cool -- what a dream job!

[@ericcaldwell2074]

My family was the first to settle in the catalochee valley in 1836. Hirem Caldwell. You can still visit our family home the Caldwell house.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Cool! I'll be there again this summer and I'll remember that when I go!

[@ericcaldwell2074]

@@DirtInMyShoes White House with light blue trim across from the barn, you'll know it when ye see it. It's one of the "hidden gems" of the park.

[@paulab984]

You got Cataloochee's pronunciation spot on (impressive), but to sound like a local, it's "Ap-puh-LA-chun" (like the "la" in "latch") not "Ap-puh-LAY-chan" (the last syllable difference matters too, LOL!) Please know I'm telling you this just for fun, not as scolding correction! You did a fantastic job of describing the Smokies and guiding folks for their visits.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We were taught ap-a-lay-shan growing up, then when I started visiting the Smokies, some people were saying it's ap-a-latch-uhn. So I looked up the pronunciation and it seems like everyone has their own way of saying it and there are full forums dedicated to arguing about who's right LOL. I have taught myself to say ap-a-latch-uhn, but sometimes I slip up :)

[@koalabear6722]

We camp there every year in the magnificent fall! Make your reservations 6 monyhs in advance for a spot

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Fall is beautiful in that park!

[@popjohn4757]

One of the best videos from strategic perspective. Thank you!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@carolm8003]

You really explained things well. Thank you.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@amorgan2013]

Great and very helpful video! Thanks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Of course!

[@paulab984]

We live in Waynesville NC right here at the Smokies. You did a fabulous job with this guide. I've lived here for a lifetime and still learned stuff. Thank you!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@williamelkington5430]

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@sydneyolp1696]

Thank you for the informative video!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for watching!

[@barryhunter5744]

We will be there next week!! Can't wait! We come twice a year and are proud to buy the Annual Parking Pass even though we don't hike or park. We see it has helping to keep the Park as beautiful as it is today for the future generations.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for supporting the park! I think the parking tag will make a huge difference!

[@fadevsanjudo1222]

Great video! My family is a big fan of your channel. I have been to Great Smoky Mountains four times, but this October is gonna be my first time in fall. I can't wait to see the foliage!!! Thank you for the information!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That's so exciting! Enjoy!

[@noelia6803]

💫Great information!!! thank you 🤗

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Frecks]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@goldstang97]

We found the best way to see Cades Cove was on Wednesday when its open only to hikers and cycling. No traffic jams and go at your own pace. We saw tons of wild life.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes! Such a cool way to see Cades Cove!

[@mikerozic7225]

Thank You!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@lvke544]

Lol I watched a few of your videos before going to RMNP and now I’m planning to go to GRSM and I found you again. Definitely subscribing now, maybe you’ll inspire me to go somewhere next! Thanks for the great vids.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks! Here's to many more amazing national park adventures!

[@johnknox4293]

thanks

[@neerajchouksey3761]

Thanks for sharing detailed information. Could you please let us know if July is good time to visit

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find a full article about the best time to visit on dirtinmyshoes.com

[@neerajchouksey3761]

@@DirtInMyShoes Thanks !!

[@jen1902]

Hi I'm new to your channel and love it! We are in the Smoky Mountains tomorrow. You've mentioned that timing as we enter the park is something we need to pay attention to. If we plan on driving through the park from Gatlinburg heading South along route 401, what is the best time to enter the park in the morning to get through with minimal traffic?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find all of my timing recommendations in the Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-smoky-mountains-itinerary/

[@genewaller1002]

Take my advice, and stay far away from Gatlinburg. The highlight of the trip will be the Blueridge Parkway in North Carolina. NC has the tallest mountains east of the Rockies.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Gatlinburg is definitely an experience :) But yes, for a quieter visit, the NC side has more solitude.

[@tweda7121]

you failed to point out that a reservation is required at LeConte lodge. food is only available to those with reservation. reservations are very difficult to obtain

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That's true!

[@Banephoenix]

I am interested on the 4 days how can a reach you?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can find all of my Smokies info at www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/

[@annikadjurberg6762]

What do I do with hiking w a dog in the Smokeys ?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can find info about that here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/is-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-dog-friendly/

[@annikadjurberg6762]

@@DirtInMyShoes Thankyou sooo much ! Super thoughtful 🙏💕🌺

[@lewisbrooks9760]

Off subject but my 17 yr old son wants to be a Park Ranger. Why are you a former Ranger? Tips to becoming a Ranger?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We just released a podcast episode about this! You can find it here: dirtinmyshoes.com/podcast

[@burttackleberry8872]

Can you open carry a handgun while hiking?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can read through this page for more info about that: www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm

[@burttackleberry8872]

​@@mandovapehater6988I can never get a straight answer other than you can carry a firearm.

[@burttackleberry8872]

@mandovapehater6988 I have a FL carry permit and I have carried concealed. I hate having a shirt over my firearm.

[@D-A-1776]

Always carry a gun, I've ran into some very shady people and also very territorial black bears.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It is illegal to discharge a gun in a national park: www.nps.gov/articles/firearms-in-national-parks.htm

[@D-A-1776]

@DirtInMyShoes . Not if it's a life or death situation. I've talked to alot of rangers about this. People who go unarmed are not very smart. To many anti gun people who'd rather be a victim than protect themselves.

[@D-A-1776]

@DirtInMyShoes . I've had to personally fire my gun in grand Teton national park when a black back charged at me and my wife. The authorities said it was ok in self defense. You can't just go in there shooting no, but in self defense you can.

[@fernwogteveril6935]

She's pretty excited they found a loop hole to charge people. Sad.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

The national parks need more funding. So yes, everyone who visits can definitely do their part to help protect this beautiful place!

[@JLC87420]

@fernwogteveril6935 Sounds like you vote blue and want everything free and live at 100% inflation on trillions of spending.

[@woodydotson3529]

So Glad the Park can get more funding -- but so sad that they caved to political pressures "not" to have a gate and entrance fee -- that would actually be more fair because then everyone is a paying "visitor". The politics you may ask -- Sure the "Park" plan avoids charging travelers from TN over to become visitors to the Cherokee Reservations Casino this Road Fee. What a creative solution to that "hot potato". -- Funny that the biggest moneymaker of Cades Cove could actually bring in the least money (Percentage-Wise) for those who just keep moving thru that area -- since they Entered and spent time "inside" but did not picnic or hike -- or even funnier -- if you are Camping inside the park you double pay because you wanted to hike in Cades Cove -- while those free-loaders just keep moving by you on the Loop.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I totally understand the frustration. I'm sure they'll make adjustments over the years, but I do think it's a miracle that they even started collecting money haha

[@MartyDick]

There is a reason there is no fee. I believe it has to do with vommerce. Charging to go through cades cove would be fair and help to support roads and upkeep

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@MartyDick I agree! Cades Cove would bring in a ton of money, and it's not part of the highway that isn't allowed to collect an entrance fee.

[@stevegregg5354]

One of the stipulations that former Land owners asked was that there would never be a fee to enter the gsmnp.