What to do when visiting the Smoky Mountains
(that is when you aren't visiting the home of the trolls here in Cosby, of course:)
Here you have the best of both worlds... a place where you can get away from it all
and still find peace and quiet to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
But you are also close to numerous world class restaurants, shops and attractions
that would appeal to all ages.
For the more rustic experience;
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For local lodging,food, and other man-made attractions..
the major destinations nearby are:
Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge
Cherokee,NC
and still find peace and quiet to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
But you are also close to numerous world class restaurants, shops and attractions
that would appeal to all ages.
For the more rustic experience;
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For local lodging,food, and other man-made attractions..
the major destinations nearby are:
Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge
Cherokee,NC
Here are some of our favorite (and sometimes less crowded) places in the Smoky Mountains:
In the National Park:
Picnics,Swimming,Fishing,Wildflowers,Hiking - Greenbrier
Picnics,Hiking,Wading,Camping,Widflowers - Cosby Campground
Synchronous Firefly Viewing - Elkmont
Camping,Fishing,Swimming,,Hiking - Elkmont Campground
Picnics,Fishing,Wildflowers,Swimming - Chimneys Picnic Area
Swimming,Fishing, Hiking,Picnics,Horseback Riding - Big Creek
, Elk viewing, Picnics,Wading,Fishing,Hiking,Horseback Riding - Cataloochee
Hiking:
Chimney Tops
Charlies Bunion and Jump Off
Mount Cammerer
Albright Grove (Through Virgin Forest)
Porters Creek (for wildflowers)
Cosby Campground Nature Loop (for little kids and wildflowers too)
Gregory Bald (for the flame azaleas and views)
Grotto Falls (easy hike to small falls that you can walk behind)
Ramsey Cascades (tallest in park)
Close by... but not in the National Park:
Max Patch Mountain (natural bald on mountain top)
Hot Springs, NC (natural mineral spa and nice small community)
In the National Park:
Picnics,Swimming,Fishing,Wildflowers,Hiking - Greenbrier
Picnics,Hiking,Wading,Camping,Widflowers - Cosby Campground
Synchronous Firefly Viewing - Elkmont
Camping,Fishing,Swimming,,Hiking - Elkmont Campground
Picnics,Fishing,Wildflowers,Swimming - Chimneys Picnic Area
Swimming,Fishing, Hiking,Picnics,Horseback Riding - Big Creek
, Elk viewing, Picnics,Wading,Fishing,Hiking,Horseback Riding - Cataloochee
Hiking:
Chimney Tops
Charlies Bunion and Jump Off
Mount Cammerer
Albright Grove (Through Virgin Forest)
Porters Creek (for wildflowers)
Cosby Campground Nature Loop (for little kids and wildflowers too)
Gregory Bald (for the flame azaleas and views)
Grotto Falls (easy hike to small falls that you can walk behind)
Ramsey Cascades (tallest in park)
Close by... but not in the National Park:
Max Patch Mountain (natural bald on mountain top)
Hot Springs, NC (natural mineral spa and nice small community)