Great Smoky Mountains National Park 15
Alum Cave Trail – Creeks are crossed on log bridges along this five-mile round-trip trail that winds through an old-growth hardwood forest . It leads to Alum Cave Bluff , an 80-foot-tall concave cliff , and Arch Rock , one of the park ’ s most unusual geologic formations .
Clingmans Dome – At 6,643 feet , this is the highest point in Tennessee . An observation tower is at the end of a steep half-mile paved trail where you can see for hundreds of miles on a clear day .
Sugarlands Trail – Great for beginners , this trail is an easy walk and located directly behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center . It ’ s 0.9 miles long with only a slight elevation of 93 feet .
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a lesson in Smoky Mountain history . Park visitors can view cabins , barns , gristmills , stores , and other buildings constructed by early settlers before the area became a national park . The cove is a special place to see via car , on foot , or by bicycle . On Wednesdays from early May until late September , Cades Cove is closed to vehicle traffic . The 11-mile one-way Cades Cove Loop Road is open to bicyclists and pedestrians only . Bicycles can be rented at Cades Cove Trading Company .
Wheelchair Accessible Trails
Located near Sugarlands Visitor Center , the Sugarlands Valley Trail is wheelchair accessible . Partially paved and nearly level , the half-mile path is good for all skill levels and highlighted by a waterfall . The self-guided nature trail features numbered interpretive signs along the route .
Be a B . A . R . K . Ranger !
Keep yourself and your pet safe any time you ’ re in the park by following these simple rules :
Bag your pet ’ s waste . Always leash your pet . Respect wildlife . Know where you can go .
Pet Lovers
Dogs are allowed on two park hiking trails — Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail . Outside those two areas , dogs are allowed in the park only in campground and picnic areas on a 6 ’ leash at all times .
Visitors of all ability levels can enjoy a paved trail to discover one of Cades Cove ’ s most popular homesites , the John Oliver Cabin .
Originally the home of the first European settlers in Cades Cove , John and Lucretia Oliver , the half-mile trail is approximately eight feet wide to provide adequate space for wheelchairs or other mobility devices to pass one another . The trail offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities for deer , turkey , bears , and grassland birds . Remember that wildlife should be viewed at a safe distance .
Junior Ranger Program
National parks offer a special Junior Ranger program for kids five to 12 years of age . By completing a series of activities during a park visit and sharing answers with a park ranger , youngsters may receive an official Junior Ranger patch and certificate . Booklets are available at any park visitor center ($ 2.50 ) or can be downloaded at gps . gov / grsm .