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Wonder if it is a good time to be there late Feb.?
will need 4 weel drive car there? any motel/B&B place close to there?
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David
asked this on February 04, 2012 at 08:01 AM
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Part 2 of my answer...
Le Conte Lodge is the only lodging available IN the Smoky Mtn Park and I think you might have to hike to it, which it opens March 19th... so a little too late for your visit.
The National Park Service maintains campgrounds w/ restrooms, flushing toilets, & cold running water at 10 locations in the park; Cades Cove & Smokemont are only ones open year around. Others open between March & May.
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge (in TN) are great places to stay & explore. Gatlinburg is more of a quaint mountain town and Pigeon Forge is going to be more commercial with Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Tanger Shopping Outlets, and things like a Nascar go-kart park. Growing up my family would do weekend trips from North Carolina to this area and there is always enough stuff for every age to do that it does make a good trip.
Other areas to look for lodging would be Bryson City near the Nantahala Gorge in NC; Cherokee (I think they have a Harrah's hotel & casino here); Maggie Valley in NC; Sevierville (which is near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge).
Le Conte Lodge is the only lodging available IN the Smoky Mtn Park and I think you might have to hike to it, which it opens March 19th... so a little too late for your visit.
The National Park Service maintains campgrounds w/ restrooms, flushing toilets, & cold running water at 10 locations in the park; Cades Cove & Smokemont are only ones open year around. Others open between March & May.
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge (in TN) are great places to stay & explore. Gatlinburg is more of a quaint mountain town and Pigeon Forge is going to be more commercial with Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Tanger Shopping Outlets, and things like a Nascar go-kart park. Growing up my family would do weekend trips from North Carolina to this area and there is always enough stuff for every age to do that it does make a good trip.
Other areas to look for lodging would be Bryson City near the Nantahala Gorge in NC; Cherokee (I think they have a Harrah's hotel & casino here); Maggie Valley in NC; Sevierville (which is near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge).
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MrsJBolt
answered this on February 08, 2012 at 02:03 PM
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Hi David,
February can be a hit or miss with the Smoky Mountains IF you want to get out and do hikes and such. The area can still be fun to explore, but expect to be doing more sightseeing from the car rather than by foot. As for a 4-wheel drive... I would say it's not necessary, but if the weather is calling for snow, then yes, I would say you will need an SUV.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through part of the Smoky Mountains and it is always gorgeous, but I would call the Blue Ridge Parkway info line at 828-298-0398 for weather-related closures as the Parkway is known to close if bad weather is heading in.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in NC & TN, there are no entrance fees, and they are open all year. Of the 800 sq miles 95% of it is forest. Typically the area will not get big snows, especially the lower elevations. IF it is snowy & Newfound Gap Road is not closed, there is the opportunity to cross-country ski on Clingmans Dome Road. IF you have any questions about road closures or weather info call the park at 865-436-1200.
February can be a hit or miss with the Smoky Mountains IF you want to get out and do hikes and such. The area can still be fun to explore, but expect to be doing more sightseeing from the car rather than by foot. As for a 4-wheel drive... I would say it's not necessary, but if the weather is calling for snow, then yes, I would say you will need an SUV.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through part of the Smoky Mountains and it is always gorgeous, but I would call the Blue Ridge Parkway info line at 828-298-0398 for weather-related closures as the Parkway is known to close if bad weather is heading in.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in NC & TN, there are no entrance fees, and they are open all year. Of the 800 sq miles 95% of it is forest. Typically the area will not get big snows, especially the lower elevations. IF it is snowy & Newfound Gap Road is not closed, there is the opportunity to cross-country ski on Clingmans Dome Road. IF you have any questions about road closures or weather info call the park at 865-436-1200.
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MrsJBolt
answered this on February 08, 2012 at 02:02 PM
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