• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Cades Cove   (Photo: Courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park)

Explore the most remote parts of the Smokies by backcountry camping. Before starting your trek, pick up a mandatory free permit at Gatlinburg's Sugarlands Visitor Center (865-436-1297) and make reservations for overnight campsites along your route (865-436-1231). Hard-core hikers, tackle the Elkmont Campground Loop, a three-night, 30-mile hike that follows Little River and has incredible mountain overlooks. Abrams Creek loop is an easier one-night, fourteen-mile hike through a lush gorge. Beard Cane campsite, where you’ll stay the night, is completely remote.

Before you fish for plentiful mountain trout, pick up a fishing license from Gatlinburg's city hall, chamber of commerce, or Ace Hardware on Highway 321 (nonresidents pay $10.50 for a three-day permit). Loiter on the Little River Outfitters Fishing Forum to see where the big ones are biting. Drop your line at Hesse Creek off the Rich Mountain trail, and you won't see a soul.

If you want a private viewing of black bear and whitetail deer, get to Cade's Cove at sunrise. The eleven-mile valley road delivers on wildlife sightings in the dozens, if not hundreds, including fox, coyotes, red wolves, wild turkey, and chipmunks. This time of year, you can also hike Abrams Falls, a moderate five-mile trail to a twenty-foot falls and idyllic swimming hole, in peace. The parking lot for the falls is halfway around the cove’s looped road.

Published on Apr 16, 2008 as a web exclusive.