Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Map has titles: Great Smoky Mountains trail map; Great Smoky Mountains hiking map.

Johnny Molloy, who has spent more than 800 nights backpacking in the Smokies, has updated his classic guide Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This revised edition has been completely updated, including the new backcountry reservation system implemented in the park. He has also added some excellent hikes, some of them well off the beaten path. For example, the hike to Baskins Creek Falls takes you past a pioneer homesite and to a scenic cascade overshadowed by more popular waterfalls nearby, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds. A longer trek traverses the regal pine-oak forests of the western part of the park, making a stop at Abrams Falls, mixing solitude with a must-visit waterfall on every Smokies bucket list. Johnny also explores early park history on a hike up Kephart Prong. Here, you can see the remains of a fish hatchery constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as a trail shelter erected by the CCC when the park was just coming to be. Backpackers will enjoy the new loop incorporating Walnut Bottoms along cascading Big Creek, coupled with a stop by historic Mount Cammerer tower, replete with stellar views, before overnighting at Davenport Shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, Johnny--who considers the Smokies his home stomping ground--makes sure that all the necessary information to help you execute a hike from directions to maps are correct. New photos add flair to the book.

This is it! The ultimate pocket-sized day hike guide to the Great Smoky Mountains. Written by esteemed Smokies sage Carson Brewer it covers 34 of the best day hikes, from easy to strenuous, in the national park plus all the self-guiding nature trails. It includes individual, beautifully-detailed shaded relief maps for each hike, plus highly-accurate elevation profile charts, and 26 photographs. It features all the best: Chimney Tops, Rich Mtn. loop, Rainbow Falls, Andrews Bald, Old Settlers, Laurel Falls, Albright Grove, Mt. Cammerer, Boogerman Loop, Charlies Bunion, Mt. Le Conte, Grotto Falls, Smokemont loop, and more.

Hiking Trails of the Great Smoky Mountains is an essential guide to one of America’s most breathtaking and rugged national parks. The second edition of this compellingly readable and useful book is completely updated, giving outdoor enthusiasts the most current information they need to explore this world-renowned wilderness. Included here are facts on more than 125 official trails recognized by the Park Service. Each one has its own setting, purpose, style, and theme, and author Kenneth Wise describes them in rich and vivid detail. For every route, he includes a set of driving directions to the trailhead, major points of interest, a schedule of distances to each one, a comprehensive outline of the trail’s course, specifics about where it begins and ends, references to the U.S. Geological Survey’s quadrangle maps, and, when available, historical anecdotes relating to the trail. His colorful descriptions of the area’s awe-inspiring beauty are sure to captivate even armchair travelers. Organized by sections that roughly correspond to the seventeen major watersheds in the Smokies, Wise starts in Tennessee and moves south into North Carolina, with two major trails—the Lakeshore and the Appalachian—that traverse several watersheds treated independently. Further enhancing the utility of this volume is the inclusion of the Great Smoky Mountains’ official trail map as well as an informative introduction filled with details about the geology, climate, vegetation, wildlife, human history, and environmental concerns of the region. A seasoned outdoorsman with more than thirty years of experience in the area and codirector of the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Wise brings an exceptional depth of knowledge to this guide. Both experienced hikers and novices will find this newly revised edition an invaluable resource for trekking in the splendor of the Smokies.

From majestic mountaintops to lush forests and untouched wilderness, experience the best of the Smokies with Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas ranging from one day in the park to a week-long trip The best hikes in the Great Smokies: Detailed hike descriptions with mileage, duration, elevation gains, and difficulty ratings, plus individual trail maps and options for backpackers Experience the outdoors: Cruise along Newfound Gap Road for epic views from scenic overlooks and watch "smoky" mists rise up through the valleys. Spot local wildlife like 700-pound elk, black bears, and vast herds of white-tailed deer. Savor the refreshing solitude of a night camping under the stars or enjoy a twinkling light show from Elkmont's synchronous fireflies. Trek a segment of the Appalachian Trail, wander through remnants of the region's historic settlements, or try your hand at fly-fishing Take a break: Unwind after a day of adventure at one of the trendy craft breweries that earned Asheville the title of "Beer City USA." Head to Dollywood for square-dancing, catching a show, or gliding down the lazy river at Splash Country. Soak in the sweet sounds of Tennessee's music scene, sample some fiery moonshine, or shop for Appalachian folk art How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, and tours Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, and more, both inside and outside the park Helpful resources on Covid-19 and traveling to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expertise and know-how: Explore the park with nature lover and Smoky Mountains expert Jason Frye Find your adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Moon. Hitting more of North America's national parks? Check out Moon USA National Parks. Road-tripping? Try Moon Drive & Hike Appalachian Trail or Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

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From majestic mountaintops to lush forests and untouched wilderness, take in the best of the Smokies with Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Inside you'll find: Flexible Itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas ranging from one day in the park to a week-long trip The Best Hikes in the Great Smokies: Detailed hike descriptions with mileage and elevation gains, individual trail maps, and backpacking options Experience the Outdoors: Cruise along Newfound Gap Road for epic views and scenic overlooks, try your hand at fly-fishing, and enjoy the refreshing solitude of a night camping under the stars. Trek a segment of the Appalachian Trail, catch a glimpse of the buzzing fireflies, and sample a little local moonshine. Visit remnants of the region's historic settlements, spot local wildlife like black bears and elk, or stop for a craft beer in trendy Asheville How to Get There: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours Where to Stay: Campgrounds, resorts, and more both inside and outside the park Planning Tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expertise and Know-How: Explore the park with nature lover and Smoky Mountains expert Jason Frye Find your adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Moon. Hitting more of North America's national parks? Check out Moon USA National Parks. Road-tripping? Try Moon Drive & Hike Appalachian Trail or Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip.

Stunning photographs celebrate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, and Shenandoah Valley and National Park. Extending from Virginia to northern Georgia, the Blue Ridge Mountains include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, and Shenandoah National Park, which includes the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive. Within this region are the world renowned Biltmore Estate, Luray Caverns, Natural Bridge, and Grandfather Mountain. The Blue Ridge range contains the highest mountains on the East Coast, with 125 peaks above 5,000 feet in elevation. The scenic roadways, spectacular overlooks, and numerous rocky crags offer magnificent views of layer after layer of mountains rolling off into the distance. Hiking trails lead to wild mountain summits, valley streams, and waterfalls. Each season offers a fresh perspective, from fall colors and winter snow and ice to spring and summer flowers and storms. In addition, numerous homes, barns, schools, churches, and mills have been protected and preserved throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a picturesque look at Appalachian life in past centuries. To appreciate the wonders of this region through the lens of a well-known master photographer is like exploring it for the first time.