Because Tennessee has such rich culture and heritage, several places in the mountains have been designated as part of the Tennessee Heritage Trail. The trail was created to both preserve and share Tennessee’s culture and is divided into 3 parts. The Arts & Crafts Trail will show visitors the various creations of Tennessee’s past, including pottery, baskets and other folk art. The History Trail takes you back in time to meet the people and events that shaped the course of Tennessee culture, and Gatlinburg’s part of the this trail is of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The third trail, the Music Trail, exposes the different types of music in the region, including bluegrass, country, and other folk tunes. The locations on the Music Trail in Gatlinburg include The Old Heidelberg Dinner Show, Smoky Mountain Travelers and Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Click here for more information and a complete list of locations.

Smoky Mountain Field School

The Smoky Mountain Field School was started by The University of Tennessee to help people utilize the Great Smoky Mountains.   They conduct workshops, hikes and other activities to help people learn more about the mountains.  Their mission is to enhance public appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the Smoky Mountains.  Some of their course offerings are Incredible Edibles and Traditional Medicines, A Smoky Mountain Day Hike, and Tracking and Nature Observation. There are activities for all ages and abilities.  The courses are around $50 and all take place in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  For more information visit http://www.outreach.utk.edu/smoky/.

Albright Grove Trail

If you are looking for a longer, but still easy trail, check out Albright Grove Trail. It is about 7 miles in length and takes you through a forest of tulip poplar, maples, and beech trees. The trail is named after Horace Albright, an advisor to John D. Rockefeller and conservationist. For more information check out this website.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

If you want to hike, but are inexperienced or have small children, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest may be the place for you. The trail through the forest is only 2 miles long and has steps built into the trail. The hike should only take 1-2 hours. The forest is named after Joyce Kilmer, poet and World War I soldier who was killed in battle. For more information about the trail, click here.

Historic Wonderland Hotel

The Smoky Mountains are filled with interesting history and one of the most historic places is the Wonderland Hotel. The hotel was located in the Elkmont community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Wonderland Hotel was built on land formerly owned by the Little River Railroad Company in 1912. It stayed open to the public for seven years before closing to club members only. Unfortunately, on November 15, 1992, the Wonderland hotel saw its last day of operation. The hotel was partially burned in 1995 and ten years later, the remnants of the hotel collapsed. The doors, windows, and bathtubs were set aside for permanent preservation. To watch a video on the historic hotel, click here.

The Little River

The Little River provides around 51 miles of incredible scenery in the Southeast.  It begins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and joins the Tennessee River and Fort Loudon Lake in Knox County.  Portions of the river are used for whitewater rafting and tubing while other portions are much calmer for fly fishing and wading.   The Little River brings people from all over for events like Trout Fest and tournaments.  Cabins line parts of the river for beautiful vacationing spots for those who love to be outdoors.

Appalachian Trail Overview

The east coast takes great pride in being home to one of the world’s most famous trails, The Appalachian Trail. This extensive route, constructed in 1968. stretches from northern Georgia all the way to Maine. Being the longest man-made trail in America, the Appalachian trial is 2,178 miles long, crossing through 14 states, 6 national parks and 8 national forests. The amount of diverse species of animal and plant wildlife over the course of the trail cannot be explained unless you take the journey yourself. The trail is conserved each year by countless volunteers who maintain its structure.

The Great Smoky Mountains are the home for the Appalachian Trial’s highest peak, Clingman’s Dome, rising 6,625 feet. Tennessee holds about 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail’s full extent. Possibly the most difficult part of the trail is within The Smoky Mountains due to the high elevations posing threat of snow, rainfall and extreme cold temperatures, especially in the winter. If you are planning on hiking the AT and staying overnight in the shelters located along the trail, you must obtain a permit to do so. The best time to go on a hike in the Smoky Mountains along the AT is from late May through October.

Strap on your boots and get to hiking, but first map out your trip at http://www.appalachiantrial.org/ .

Best Hiking Trails

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Smokies in all its glory. There are a variety of trails throughout the park, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a backpacking trip over several days. Alum Cave Bluff, Chimney Tops, Ramsay Cascades and Mount LeConte are all difficult trails. Rainbow Falls, Little Cataloochee Trail, The Boogerman Trail Loop, Copper Road, and Andrews Bald are all moderately hard trails. If you looking for an easy trail, check out Clingmans Dome, Abrams Falls, Look Rock, Cucumber Gap, Sugarlands Visitor Center Nature Trail, and Laurel Falls.

Wesley Woods

Spending a week at camp is one adventure most children remember well into their adult years. Camp Wesley Woods, located in Townsend, is a Christian camp that provides children with programs such as Environmental Education, Adventure Education and Summer Camping. Tourists can canoe, fish, and tour the camp all in one afternoon if he or she chooses a day program, or children can experience a week away from home living in a cabin by choosing the full week program. For more information about Camp Wesley Woods, visit their website at http://www.campwesleywoods.com/.

Nature Pods Guide Application

If you’re a nature lover who feels the urge to identify animals and insects that cross your path, this little iPod application is made for you.  Instead of lugging around heavy-duty nature books weighed down by colorful illustrations and information, Apple has created a downloadable application that offers the same features but with more ease and convenience.  With a simple touch, you are able to discover 61 regularly occurring species in such territories.  Each and every species is provided with a variety of pictures and illustrations covering every stage of an insect’s life.  Helpful identification tips, a “phenogram” chart, and maps that show where the species are likely to be found are just a few features offered through this application.  To help you get a closer view, you’re able to rotate and zoom each photo to your liking.