15 photos that will transport you to the Great Smoky Mountains, from cozy cabin views to jaw-dropping landscapes

Joey HaddenMay 20, 2023, 17:04 IST

Take a look at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a stunning mountain range hiding historic settlements that's surrounded by cozy cabins on the border of Tennessee.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently took a five-day trip to visit the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee for the first time.
I stayed in cozy cabins while exploring the national park's scenic spots and historic settlements.

I recently took my camera to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. I got some striking shots.

The author stands in front of a mountain view from the balcony of a cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently took my camera to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. I got some striking shots.

I flew to Knoxville, Tennessee, for five days to explore the national park's scenic hot spots. I stayed in tents and cabins in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

A map of Tennessee shows the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the destinations the author visited.Google Maps

I flew to Knoxville, Tennessee, for five days to explore the national park's scenic hot spots. I stayed in tents and cabins in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

I traveled around the area by car using taxi services. Since the park was so big, I thought this gave me exceptional views for miles that I wouldn't have had time to see on foot.

A view of mountains from inside the passenger seat of a car.Joey Hadden/Insider

I traveled around the area by car using taxi services. Since the park was so big, I thought this gave me exceptional views for miles that I wouldn't have had time to see on foot.

I spent one night in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world, a Gatlinburg cabin with wide windows overlooking the mountains.

A view of the balcony from inside the cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

The best part was the view. The cabin was high enough to see a wide portion of the mountain range and close enough to see the hazy, "smoky" effect that the park is known for, according to the NPS.

Mountain views from the balcony.Joey Hadden/Insider

The best part was the view. The cabin was high enough to see a wide portion of the mountain range and close enough to see the hazy, "smoky" effect that the park is known for, according to the NPS.

I noticed the same effect in the park itself. But unlike at the cabin, where I thought the haze looked like clouds, from inside the park I could see how the "smoke" spills into the forest. I thought this made the woods feel mysterious.

A hazy section of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

I noticed the same effect in the park itself. But unlike at the cabin, where I thought the haze looked like clouds, from inside the park I could see how the "smoke" spills into the forest. I thought this made the woods feel mysterious.

I spent my second night in a tent at Under Canvas' glamping resort: a luxury camping accommodation community just outside of the national park.

The camping grounds at Under Canvas' resort.Joey Hadden/Insider

I loved how lights from the tents glowed through the night. This scene paired with the quiet whispers of the trees and other campers made me feel peaceful and refreshed.

The Under Canvas resort glows at nightJoey Hadden/Insider

I loved how lights from the tents glowed through the night. This scene paired with the quiet whispers of the trees and other campers made me feel peaceful and refreshed.

After the second night, I traveled to another Gatlinburg mountain cabin for the rest of my trip.

The author's final stay in the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden

Unlike my first Airbnb, this cabin was an A-frame. I thought the home's pointed and wide windows made the views look even more beautiful and dramatic than in the first cabin I stayed in.

The exterior of the cabin (L) and inside the home's master bedroom (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Unlike my first Airbnb, this cabin was an A-frame. I thought the home's pointed and wide windows made the views look even more beautiful and dramatic than in the first cabin I stayed in.

I spent my last two days soaking up as much of the park as I could, from hiking up mountains to exploring abandoned settlements.

A scenic stop in the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

Wandering the park, I was surprised to find once-abandoned cabins in the woods that have been restored so people can go inside and feel what it was like to live there more than 100 years ago.

Cabins in the park the author was able to enter.Joey Hadden/Insider

Wandering the park, I was surprised to find once-abandoned cabins in the woods that have been restored so people can go inside and feel what it was like to live there more than 100 years ago.

Looking out the windows of these historic homes, I imagined waking up to these woodsy cabin views.

Inside one of the restored cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains.Joey Hadden/Insider

My last stop in the Great Smoky Mountains was Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park.

A view of the mountains from Clingmans Dome.Joey Hadden/Insider

From the dome's parking lot, I hiked half a mile to the top, and I thought the views got better the higher up I went.

Snapshots from the author's hike to the top.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I finally reached the top, I marveled at a 360-degree view of the Southern Appalachians. Treetops towered over a hazy valley with an epic mountain range behind it. It was such a memorable scene that I think you should see for yourself.

The view from the top of Clingmans Dome.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I finally reached the top, I marveled at a 360-degree view of the Southern Appalachians. Treetops towered over a hazy valley with an epic mountain range behind it. It was such a memorable scene that I think you should see for yourself.

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15 photos that will transport you to the Great Smoky Mountains, from cozy cabin views to jaw-dropping landscapes

I recently took my camera to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. I got some striking shots.

I flew to Knoxville, Tennessee, for five days to explore the national park's scenic hot spots. I stayed in tents and cabins in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

I traveled around the area by car using taxi services. Since the park was so big, I thought this gave me exceptional views for miles that I wouldn't have had time to see on foot.

I spent one night in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world, a Gatlinburg cabin with wide windows overlooking the mountains.

The best part was the view. The cabin was high enough to see a wide portion of the mountain range and close enough to see the hazy, "smoky" effect that the park is known for, according to the NPS.

I noticed the same effect in the park itself. But unlike at the cabin, where I thought the haze looked like clouds, from inside the park I could see how the "smoke" spills into the forest. I thought this made the woods feel mysterious.

I spent my second night in a tent at Under Canvas' glamping resort: a luxury camping accommodation community just outside of the national park.

I loved how lights from the tents glowed through the night. This scene paired with the quiet whispers of the trees and other campers made me feel peaceful and refreshed.

After the second night, I traveled to another Gatlinburg mountain cabin for the rest of my trip.

Unlike my first Airbnb, this cabin was an A-frame. I thought the home's pointed and wide windows made the views look even more beautiful and dramatic than in the first cabin I stayed in.

I spent my last two days soaking up as much of the park as I could, from hiking up mountains to exploring abandoned settlements.

Wandering the park, I was surprised to find once-abandoned cabins in the woods that have been restored so people can go inside and feel what it was like to live there more than 100 years ago.

Looking out the windows of these historic homes, I imagined waking up to these woodsy cabin views.

My last stop in the Great Smoky Mountains was Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park.

From the dome's parking lot, I hiked half a mile to the top, and I thought the views got better the higher up I went.

When I finally reached the top, I marveled at a 360-degree view of the Southern Appalachians. Treetops towered over a hazy valley with an epic mountain range behind it. It was such a memorable scene that I think you should see for yourself.