Great Smoky Mountain National Park (WE SAW BEARS!!!) + Gatlinburg

We are spending the day in Great Smoky Mountain National Park and starting in Cades Cove as we hear that this is a great spot for wildlife viewing. First off, let me say that the drive into this area is absolutely gorgeous!!! There is a river running alongside the road and the trees are so thick and lush! Cades Cove did not disappoint! Driving back in the loop towards the visitor's center we saw wild turkeys and lots of birds.... BUT once we left the visitor's center, there were families of BEARS EVERYWHERE!!! They were right up next to the road and so easy to see. Momma bears with their cubs... in the wild! It was incredible!
Speaking of the visitor's center, this is a really cool area. There is a working mill and several buildings from the late 1800's so you can see what life in the Smokies would have been like.
After leaving Cades Cove we drove the road all the way through the park to Gatlinburg which is a beautiful drive. And since we drove all this way, we had to make a quick stop in town which is always enjoyable as there is so much to see and do all up and down one street!
Once back to the campground, we just relaxed! The KOA in Townsend is one of our favorite campgrounds as it is a great setting with the river running right through. You can fish or even tube down the river. We did neither, but just enjoyed the peace of it!
#greatsmokymountains #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #gatlinburg
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[@angelabrown3994]

Beautiful scenes 😊

[@jasontaber1425]

Love the Smokies! Great Smoky Nation Park one of my favorite places to visit.

[@robingastonia]

I live in North Carolina close to Charlotte, and I love that drive from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg. It is a truly beautiful drive. I love seeing the river beside you. We live in such a beautiful area. I am 4 hours from the beach and 2 hours from the mountains. I am truly blessed to live close to both areas.

[@danamoody8733]

Cades Cove is one of my very favorite places. If you look in the woods as you drive through can see deer. I love to take binoculars and spend all day there. You used to could take a back road out of Cades Cove that was just a pig trail, talk about isolated. It was so cool. A local told us that she would teach her kids to drive on that pig trail road. I think at one time they closed it after one of the hurricanes. You can also ride horses there and hike to waterfalls.

[@djahant]

I love the Smokies! And the people are so nice! It's my fav place.

[@sherrymack94]

We love Cades Cove our favorite place in the Smokies roaring forks is nice too, but Cades Cove is by far our favorite place

[@katrinawall936]

We go to Cades cove everytime we visit the smokies!

[@shannoncox2781]

Now you see why we live in East Tennessee! Born and Raised girl!

[@Dave17101]

It was such a good bear sighting drive. I can imagine how excited the kids were in the cars with their families. Especially when there were cubs with the mama bears. The scenery was awsome to see, city boy here and it never gets old. Yes, pack a lunch and fill your gas tank.

[@diane9629]

Traveling here next month, I hope I get to to the smoky mountains, so beautiful.

[@Livingforgiven]

Townsend, the quiet side of the smokies, is such an awesome escape from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Next time you are there, you should check out Tuckaleechee Caverns and check out the big room that could almost fit a football stadium in it. I need to give Cades Cove another chance. We went and it was so busy. The traffic was insane. I want to go during off peak season and early in the morning and take my time truly enjoying the beauty. Thanks for the video.❤

[@koalabear6722]

Bear Jam!...We camp in Elkmont every year in the magnificent fall! We visit the store in the campground at the Cove then picnic half way through. Its our favorite and so is The Apple Valley Cafe! Yum!

[@LaurendyeDye]

I highly recommend hiking the Cades Cove loop. Start from the end and hike to the beginning, an amazing experience. We're from south Louisiana as well and love y'alls videos.

[@EECCTravels]

Yeah kinda our thoughts lol

[@lisakennon811]

Absolutely beautiful & gorgeous. Thanks for taking us all again with y'all on another adventure. ❤❤

[@tracydickson8575]

We loved our trip to the Great Smoky Mountains!

[@melindakhristine9417]

This is my 2nd video of watching you folks. I miss Tennessee. My parents and I went last October. We didn't realize it was Fall Break for the school kids. Ugh! Long lines for everything in Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountains and Dollywood. But we still enjoyed ourselves. I'm going back this October as a solo 1st time traveler...road trip style! Lol. Its only 8 hours away. I'm excited. My parents will stay home to watch my cat. Lol. Sometimes a person has to find what they can do and be amazed by that experience. God will be with me. Thanks for the 2 apps about park info off line. That helps! You sound like Uncle Red from PBS The Red Green Show. Google it. You kind of look like him too. Lol. Its a compliment. It would be cool to see you both in Tennessee in mid October. God bless you and n your adventures!

[@cbhgirl1224]

Meigs Falls you were at on the side of the road and it's pronounced Megs. You missed "The Sinks", it was located a couple miles up the road where you have a small parking lot and worth the stop .

[@teresalewelling7318]

Thank you for sharing this with me. Loved it.

[@teresadistasi8037]

So cool seeing the bears! Love that campsite too ❤

[@Rivian_Hiker]

It was nice meeting you all at the KOA. I’m glad you got to see some bears, I figured you would. The bears have cubs every 2 years, so those little ones were from this year and the larger ones were from last year. We like riding our bikes through on Wednesday’s and have been so close it’s scary. Cheers!

[@EECCTravels]

Cheers! Nice meeting you as well!

[@donnaandpatmac1321]

We’re new to your channel and are enjoying your travels. We found you because of the van you purchased and we’re thinking of purchasing one(have had every type of RV except a van!). Can you show more content on how you’re living in your van - cooking, sleeping, WiFi for internet and “the bathroom”. Thanks !!

[@EECCTravels]

We are planning on it

[@donnaandpatmac1321]

@@EECCTravelsAwesome !! Thanks 😊

[@kr7816]

Ahh☹️instead of listening to music, put the JBL away and enjoy natures music! You will always have time for your music!😊

[@EECCTravels]

I like my music to go with the natural sounds

[@judyannkiwi]

I appreciate the content here on this channel we not only get to hear from two perspectives, BUT -- loads of ideas!! We enjoyed watching every video that pops up!!

[@ronpennington3874]

We were there in May saw 7 bears out in Cades Cove. Bear Jam.

[@stephenchance680]

Smoky Mountains is our Happy Place! Stay in Gatlinburg 2 - 3 times a year. Townsend is a gem also!

[@peg793]

You should see it in the fall. How beautiful that is.

[@tonjahenson5296]

I love Gatlinburg 💘

[@debmetheral6596]

Hello from Ontario 🇨🇦We drove through and toured around some of the homes and the church and graveyard it was very beautiful with a sense of awe.

[@karenteer1029]

❤ Thanks again for sharing your adventures! Beautiful scenery!👍

[@traceydriver3171]

I live in western NC (just a hop, skip and jump to Cades Cove) and I was standing outside a few years ago and a mama bear with two cubs popped out of the brush 3 feet from where I was standing. She looked at me, I looked at her and she went back into the brush with her babies in tow. This area is a great place for wildlife on a regular basis. Bear, deer, elk, turkeys

[@danielmccray7013]

Now you are back in our neck of the woods. We spent many years in Knoxville but now live in Fairfield Glade, Tn. 😎

[@annavazquez2426]

Absolutely beautiful thank you for sharing ❤

[@kimproffer9456]

It’s always so exciting seeing bears! ❤ 🐻

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Love how you mix your travel styles

[@Fgduddy1604]

Great videos keep them coming

[@maxddog1]

Beautiful

[@michelleb749]

Loved Cades Cove! We went last year. We only saw bears in the distance. The Smokies are beautiful

[@gregorydi2646]

CT we see bears in our backyard all the time.

[@stevebartley628]

Suggestion for a future trip - Rocky Mountain N.P. in mid to late Sept to see all the elk

[@lindastover9541]

Great video ❤❤❤❤

[@lindatann3955]

What a fun video. Seeing bears has to be the highlight!

[@slumkiss777]

Always love the smokies

[@343jwright5]

That’s referred to as a 🐻 jam. 🤣 Make sure to take food and drinks with you, FOR THE HUMANS, because on crazy days it may take you 3-4 hours to complete the loop. You’re more likely to see 🐻 on the inbound and end cap road. And more likely to see 🦌 on the outbound road because it’s more in the woods. The Roaring Fork trail will have just as many 🐻s with much less of a traffic headache. Abram’s Falls is well worth the hike. Best falls in GSMNP! 🧡

[@mountaingirl5760]

Hello from Louisiana. We visit the smoky mountains a lot. Next time you go, you need to go to Roaring Fork. It's in Gatlinburg. It's a one way scenic drive like cades cove, but it's up in the mountains. It's a little shorter than cades cove, but it's absolutely beautiful. Also, have you gone to Newfound Gap? Beautiful.

[@blessednettie69]

Do they know who actually stayed in some of those homes?

[@SHYsArt]

So when are you moving to TN? hugs😀

[@EECCTravels]

Maybe soon

[@scottbeatty2641]

I don't know if I missed something. But where is the little puppy you had?

[@EECCTravels]

We left her with a friend

[@maryjaneallison1736]

Cades Cove our favorite place. We also stay in Townsend 😊❤

[@tinakelley7018]

Awesome video. Love seeing the bears. You take awesome videos.Toooo funny about sqeezing the utters. You felt like you were violating it. Funny funny. Any way love your channel . Haven't subbed yet but I'm going to

[@EECCTravels]

Thank you so much for your support we greatly appreciate it! 🤗

[@katrinawall936]

I love y’all got to see the bears. Our last trip there we stayed in a cabin in Sevierville and while heading back to our cabin one evening we saw a bear climbing up the balcony of someone’s cabin and we had to get their attention to let them know. It was crazy. Another time while my daughter’s soccer team was staying at a hotel in downtown Gatlinburg , we saw a mama and her cubs in the parking lot near the school bus. Next time you visit you should do the hike to Laurel Falls. We loved it. Not too stringent either. Love watching you guys!

[@EECCTravels]

Oh that is so crazy to see bears like that!!

[@barbarawelch3494]

We live in Washington State, on the coast. We have bears in our yard often.

[@allensteward2203]

I love the sites great 👍🏿 footage.

[@stomas5640]

Please tell us hopefully no one got out of the car to take a "selfie" with the cubs?!!

[@JonDough-412]

Lmao 😂 why we like when dummies feed the bears that means less in our society and roadways lol 😂

[@jamespugh]

Great video as always. My wife and mom and her two 💕 sisters where their may 5th weekend and seen over 50 bears 🐻 in 3days

[@EECCTravels]

Wow! That is amazing!!

[@lindasteller]

The AT runs through part of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Imagine hiking with 35-40 pounds on your back and meeting bears. How young are you folks? Can't believe you've never seen a mill or house without electricity. I must be really old. 😊

[@annettegrimes2931]

Wow! Just beautiful! Where’s the puppy?

[@user-Carmen_Parker]

😃😃👋🏾👋🏾 Watching now. Looks beautiful!

[@karenschreiner5932]

Try being on a bike in the midst of all the vehicles, but it was neat riding bikes through the Cades cove did you go to the sinks?? , it close to Meigs falls, we r about 2 hrs from Gatinburg/ PF

[@ronaldbernier462]

You two should live in Tennessee as much as you love it….lol

[@beckymungo1333]

There are hundreds of Water Falls in Bevard, NC. There are a few just next to the road.

[@RobinsHappyPlaceGSM]

I ❤ the ⛰️🏔️. My happy place. 😊🤗

[@jodyfletcher4311]

Tennessee is one of my favorite states!! If you want to experience Norris Lake… our family will be there in July. You’re more than welcome to come visit if you’re around :) P.S. I just about killed myself floating down that river in Townsend years ago! DO NOT go on the rope swing! Lol

[@eleanor4482]

Great video. Beautiful scenery. Where is Pepper? Haven’t seen him in the last 2 videos.

[@EECCTravels]

She’s with a friend

[@eleanor4482]

@@EECCTravels oops thought was a male. Miss her - so cute. Thanks.

[@living4himga]

I was there on Thursday June 20. Got there at Sunrise, rode around a few times and had lunch at the picnic area. We seen a bear about a mile or two from the Cove and another on the first loop. Cades Cove is my favorite place. Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a great trail also. Do NOT go in big vehicles. The road is narrow.

[@EECCTravels]

The bears were so amazing to see!

[@kevinburke3718]

Looks great going next spring

[@barbaradudley4083]

I love Tennessee too

[@kpv9572]

Looks like fun! Where’s your puppy?

[@EECCTravels]

She’s with a friend

[@alej8902]

Hi Alisa and Jason! We miss Pepper 🐶❤

[@michelleconcannon7584]

We're driving our Class C up in Sept! Which route did you take? Any issues with trucks/elevation?

[@JeffGeraldFishing]

Nope shouldn’t be any issues. Y’all will be fine. 👍🏻

[@cassy7-g4q]

I have walked cades cove but we did it at dusk and it was terrifying😂. How is that legal?

[@shooterbean6051]

Not a traffic jam but a Bear jam.

[@IzzyTheEditor]

I've always wondered what it's like for a family to have lived in that wooden house at the time when they realized their land including their home the next day will be on federal protected land? Did they get bought out by the government? Because once that land became a national park, everything you used to do, fish, hunt etc. is now a federal crime. I always wondered how that whole situation worked out?

[@sandymackendrick6135]

We got married in one of the little churches on the strip in 2003 ❤️

[@darlenefulmer4909]

Tennessee is the best state ever.

[@EECCTravels]

It really is!!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Looked like 2. In. Tree cluster. Ps come to my house you can see all the deer you want ugh

[@bstaton67]

We've done three 4,000+ mile trips from Texas through the Smoky Mountains. We've driven every major route and some of the minor ones on the Tail of the Dragon website. I haven't watched your complete video yet but when we were there they had two 'bear jams'. That what the rangers call it when traffic is backed up by bears. One we were close to the bears were in a tree over the highway. Someone got out under them to take pictures. The rangers were screaming at them to get back in their car. LOL!!!

[@kellywestphal4133]

Where is the puppy?

[@EECCTravels]

She is with a friend

[@joyharrison2097]

Where is the new puppy?

[@EECCTravels]

We left her with a friend

[@kathrynjajich6705]

Where’s Pepper???? 🐕

[@EECCTravels]

She’s with a friend

[@beckymungo1333]

Brevard

[@jillmoore1622]

And did you think they were soooo cute you had to feed them? We had to euthanize a mother bear a few days ago who had been fed by tourists and had gotten too used to people and was coming into Gatlinburg. Let this be a lesson to all the tourists who want to visit our Great Smoky Mountains, the bears are NOT pets, they are wild animals and should be treated as such! Do NOT feed the bears, do NOT get close to the bears, just leave them alone and take your pictures home with you. Give the bears a chance at life.