August 9, 2023
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Over and over I had read that this is the most visited national park in America. I knew someday I wanted to visit it. However, I also read about the overcrowding and the difficulty navigating the roads in the park due to the crowds. Point of fact a couple of years ago an individual in the park suffered a heart attack and died because they were not able to get EMT’s to him in time due to the traffic and parked cars along the road. I wasn’t to eager to face that kind of an onslaught myself so what to do.
How about a guided tour of the Park?
Pink Jeep Tours to the rescue! Why are they pink? The business is owned by a husband and wife couple. The wife felt pink jeeps would be highly visible and attract business. The husband said he would never drive a pink jeep. Today, that is just what he is doing!
We booked the only tour available which was at 1 pm in the afternoon. It would be a three hour ride, factor in the time needed to get there and back, and we figured we would be away from the rig and Proton just about 5 hours.
Past the entrance sign and into the park we went. We learned that the park consists of over 500,000 acres. The park came about due to two unlikely forces. First, there was the backlash to the local logging companies. Before the park was formed and dedicated they clear cut over 90% of the land that the park encompasses today. The next group, motorists. Auto clubs wanted good roads through beautiful scenery. So they pushed for the development of the park.
The park was established in 1934 and was officially dedicated by President Roosevelt in 1940.
The park runs through Tennessee and North Carolina. We’re in a parking lot off of Newfound Gap Road which is a major highway between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, North Carolina. It is a road that twists and climbs up to 5046 feed and then goes back down. At the entrances to the road there are signs prohibiting commercial vehicles. Nevertheless, we were told, and witnessed, individuals who actually bring travel trailers and Class C RV’s over this road. One trucker tried it with a semi not too long ago and lost his life. Not for me, not on your life!
There over 800 miles of trails and unpaved roads in the park for hiking, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
On the Appalachian Trail on my way to Maine, and here I am coming back. Believe that and I have a bridge I want to sell you! OK, maybe I only went some 50 feet but I can now honestly say I’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail!
Sixteen mountains in the park are over 6,000 feet in height. Over 100 species of trees grow in the park. More than 10,000 species of plants and animals are known to live in the park. Oh those mountains, just spectacular.
This I found really interesting, The park is known as the Salamander Capital of the World since about 30 species of salamander are found within the bounds of the park.
There are over 2,000 miles of streams within the park. All streams are now open for fishing. It was so refreshing to just sit for a minute, and watch the rushing water.
As with so many other national parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps was primarily responsible for helping to shape the park we know today. During the 1930’s over 4,000 men worked here building roads, tunnels and bridges, campgrounds, buildings, and trails.
So that is how we spent our Wednesday. We absolutely enjoyed our tour, but it left me wanting to spend more, much more time within the park. I want to visit the visitor centers, the historic buildings, hike some of the trails. I even want to have a picnic at one of the many picnic areas within the park. Yes, I want to come back and I’m sure we will.
Yup, another T-shirt. How could I not.
Thanks again for spending some time with us. It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.
"On The Road of Retirement" 
Bill, I loved this post. We absolutely loved our time in the Smoky Mountains, and this post brought it all back. There is so much to enjoy in the park. I do think a guided tour is an excellent way to see the highlights and to learn so much. I always thought we’d go there just once, but, like you, I do hope we’ll go back. You guys look so happy. When I first saw those mountains – the ones you have a picture of – it was in the morning, and the sun was shining on the ridges – it nearly took my breath away. I am glad you got to visit the Smoky Mountain National Park AND hike the Appalachian Trail. Great T-shirt, too!
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I’m like you, I definitely want to go back. Barb and I have talked about just returning to this area in the future for at least two weeks. Do we look happy? You bet we are. There is something about being in the RV that just draws us closer together. As for the mountains – this morning I went out to walk Proton, and the view from our site was breath-taking. The clouds, the mist was sitting on top of the mountain peaks. Took my breath away. Have a great weekend.
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Yes, you and Barb looked very happy. As you said recently, travels keep us young!
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