The "Classic" National Park Tour
Description
This trip begins as we pickup at our location in Gatlinburg, TN. We travel in comfortable and eco-friendly vans to our first stop at the remains of a long-gone resort town dating back more than 100 years. We'll learn about the history of logging in the Smokies, the lives of the early Appalachian pioneers, and the founding of the national park. From here we'll travel up the mountains on one of the most scenic roads in the southeast. Along the way we'll stop at scenic overlooks for pictures, questions, and interpretation of the area. Finally we arrive at Newfound Gap and the 5,000 foot-high boarder between Tennessee and North Carolina. Here we will learn about the 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trail and the the site where President Franklin Roosevelt gave the park dedication in 1940.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will have the opportunity to get out and explore one of the mightiest rivers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as we learn about the history of the founding of the park and how the lives of loggers, CCC workers, pioneer farmers, and the earliest mountain recreational visitors intersected.
Newfound Gap Road is one of the most scenic drives in the southeast. We'll make the 13-mile long drive out of the Sugarlands Valley while we learn about the people, plants, animals, and history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way we'll stop at several scenic overlooks for photos of the towering mountains and dark, shaded valleys.
Deep in the mountains at a height of more than 5,000 feet we'll stand on the state line while looking down the the Sugarland Valley to our north and the Oconaluftee Valley to the south. The famous 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through this point next to the stone stage where President Franklin Roosevelt gave the Great Smoky Mountain National Park dedication.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(308)
Our guide Phillip was thoughtful, kind and knowledgeable about everything Tennessee related. He made our day very special and would definitely book again.
Phillip was very knowledgeable and was willing to tailor our trip to whatever we wanted to experience. Great trip (only downside, no bears). Phillip gave it his best try, short of taking us to a zoo.
It is a great learning experience. Our guide Jay made the trip fun and interesting. It gets cooler as you go up the mountain so be prepared. Lots of great area information as to further options to enjoy
Jay (Hoover) made our time in the Smokies a delight. He made us feel welcome, and provided us with fine history and facts about the things we saw… stopping places we thought we where we could get great photos.
Mark Booth was both informative and personable. Questions were welcomed…but he kept the conversation moving along. Van was clean and tidy. Very relaxing… We would recommend the company and Mark in particular. Thx Mark..😄
Explains everything, takes you places to see older homes and the history, overlook places. So much more. I highly recommend this tour.
Our guide was very knowledgeable. I would recommend this if it is your first time to the park and plan to visit again. Our guide showed us multiple trails that fit our level of hiking.
Our tour guide, Phillip, was great! Couldn’t have asked for a better tour experience, was a highlight of our trip.
Such a great tour! Wes was so knowledgeable and fun! My sister and I really enjoyed his humor and he knew so much about the places we visited which made it so much better!
Glad you enjoyed it all.
It was an wonderful experience, our guide Mr. WES was highly skilled and knowledgeable, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour
we are glad you enjoyed your tour and guide, Wes
