The Great Smoky Mountains National Park....PICS UP!

**Strycnine** · 10-06-2009, 08:49 AM

Thinking about taking the family up to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park soon. What is there to do up there? What do we need to take?

ETA: Pics.....

**Russell** · 10-06-2009, 02:54 PM

I used to live 20 minutes from the Smokies in NC. Lots of whitewater rafting, camping, hiking, that kind of thing. If your going up in winter make sure to take some heavy clothes, it gets pretty cold in the mountains.

**Strycnine** · 10-06-2009, 03:00 PM

Thanks for reminding my about the extra clothes!

**bigjimmy57** · 10-06-2009, 03:33 PM

The wife and I went to Gatlinburg last year for our anniversary in Nov. It was pretty dang cold. We had a great time though.

**tomiswho** · 10-06-2009, 05:52 PM

I owned a business back in 1982-1984 Smoky Mountain Central Reservations, located in Sevierville. Much changed since then - haven't seen the area in many years. I always loved it. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are really touristy and after your money. Nice though. I found chalets and condos up on the ski mountain to be priced right with the nicer hotels. Great to have a place with a fireplace and jacuzzi. I used to rustic tent camp over at Harmons Den bear refuge in NC off I-40 in the national forest. I'd just find a place along the stream and set up. I'd camo the place (OD parachute over the campsite) and no one would know I was there. I also remember one time I took a young secretary from work over there.... in a VW beetle no less. Good thing I wasn't this fat then!