Camping. There are seven developed and three primitive camping areas in the park. Reservations are required at Cades Cove, Elkmont and Smokemont, and the others are often filled during peak weekends. The developed areas have water, fireplaces, tables, flush toilets, tent sites and some trailer space. There are comfort stations, but no hookups, and no showers. The primitive areas have pit toilets. All drinking water must be boiled.. From mid-June through August there are various programs at the camping areas, including naturalist activities, hikes for children, and occasionally, traditional folk music evenings. (No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the campground, although they are allowed in designated picnic areas.)
Picnicking, Fishing, Bicycling, and Other Activities. The designated picnic areas have tables, grills and restrooms, and you may enjoy your alcoholic beverages here, although you should not have them opened in the car, unless they arein the trunk. Bicycling the Smokies is not for the Sunday rider. If you are a real mountain climber on wheels, you may take your chances on the US 441 Parkway, but the narrow winding road is congested with RV’s and there is not enough room for them to get around cyclists. Cades Cove (above) is the best bet. Unless increases in insurance rates close down stable owners, there are horses for rent in atad near the park. Bridle trails are limited and horses must be kept on these trails. Cross-country skiing, when weather permits, is open on the Clingman’s Dome road and other roads that are closed to traffic.
Tubing is not illegal but it is frowned on by the park rangers. Most popular spots are near Cades Cove and at the Deep Creek area (see listing under Bryson City, Area 2). Fishing is excellent here, but you should check the regulations before you start, as there are several of F-limit streams, and many rules including no natural bait and no brook trout. A North Carolina or Tennessee license is required for anyone 16 or older.
BIrds and Bears and Other Creatures. The only time a park visitor should feed a bear is if one is encountered on a backcountry trip and wants the food in the backpack! In that rare case, it is truly better to give than receive - and leave - promptly. There are fewer and fewer “panhandlers” along the roads, as the old timers have been exiled tothe backcountry and more visitors learn not to feed the newergenerations. The practice can be harmful to visitors, and is always harmful to the bears, who can become dependent on the handouts, too trusting of people, and easy marks for poachers. If you should see bears along the road, enjoy them from your car. If there should be bears near the trails, they will usually pick up your scent and try to avoid you. Never approach a bear - they can be very dangerous, especially if cubs are involved. There are hundreds of other animals in the park, including herds of white-tailed deer. Most however are night creatures, and rare glimpses are best made at twilight or daybreak. Over 200 species of birds inhabit the park; about 80 percent are year round residents. A free bird check is available at the visitors centers.
Author Resource:
See high quality pictures, and HD Video tours of all things Georgia...
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")