Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Parking was very challenging at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so we did not get to hike as much as we wanted. It is the most visited national park, and we really felt that during our time there. We went at the beginning of October on a weekend though, so it was beautiful weather, and the leaves were just starting to change.
One hike that we did that was noteworthy was Clingman’s Dome. We waited over an hour for parking for this hike, and it was worth it. The hike is not very long, but it was a little challenging as you walk up the steep incline. The views were so beautiful from the top of the look-out tower.
Newfound Gap Road was a pretty drive, and there were beautiful overlooks. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Cherokee, North Carolina and visited the casino across the street for diner and gaming.
Prior to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we visited Shenandoah National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the two parks. We only had time to drive a portion of this route between Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains. We wish we had more time because it was so pretty! There were lots of gorgeous overlooks. We saw a lot of deer and turkeys on the drive. It was much better than driving the interstate.