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  4. I went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time and 7 surprises made my trip harder — and better — than I expected

I went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time and 7 surprises made my trip harder and better — than I expected

Joey Hadden   

I went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time and 7 surprises made my trip harder — and better — than I expected
During her first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Insider's reporter was surprised by historic settlements and an epic tram ride.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee for the first time.
  • I was surprised by some of the park's unique features, like free entry and historic settlements.

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.
Great Smoky Mountains National park seen from the trail to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Knox News

The park is home to 19,000 documented species of plants and animals, according to the National Parks Service. Knox News reported that 1,000 of those species were found for the first time ever in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The park is home to 19,000 documented species of plants and animals, according to the National Parks Service. Knox News reported that 1,000 of those species were found for the first time ever in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Plant life in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Knox News

I recently spent five days exploring the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time and was excited to visit and connect with nature.

I recently spent five days exploring the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time and was excited to visit and connect with nature.
The author in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I'm a big fan of national parks, and in the past, I've visited Texas' Big Bend, Utah's Zion and Bryce Canyon, Colorado's Rocky Mountains, New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns, and both rims of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

I
The author at Yosemite (top), the Grand Canyon (bottom), and Rocky Mountain National Park (right).      Joey Hadden/Insider

But I've never previously visited a national park in this part of the US. The Great Smoky Mountains gave me the connection with nature I wanted, along with some surprises.

But I
Picturesque landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My first surprise came when I was doing research for my trip and learned that the Great Smoky Mountains is the only free national park in the country, according to the NPS.

My first surprise came when I was doing research for my trip and learned that the Great Smoky Mountains is the only free national park in the country, according to the NPS.
Hikers climb up to Clingman's Dome at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

All of the national parks I've previously visited had entrance fees. Most range from $10-$35 for vehicles and $10-$20 per person, according to the NPS.

All of the national parks I
The author in Zion National Park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the Great Smoky Mountains have been free to access since 1994 because two major roads run through the park, according to the same source.

But the Great Smoky Mountains have been free to access since 1994 because two major roads run through the park, according to the same source.
A road runs through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Later, when I got to Tennessee, I ran into an unpleasant surprise. Despite what I read on travel blogs and heard from Airbnb hosts, ride-share apps were not a reliable way to get around.

Later, when I got to Tennessee, I ran into an unpleasant surprise. Despite what I read on travel blogs and heard from Airbnb hosts, ride-share apps were not a reliable way to get around.
The author takes a cab through the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Although I could search for rides on these apps, I wasn't ever able to find one to pick me up, save for my trip from the airport in Knoxville to my accommodations near the park.

Although I could search for rides on these apps, I wasn
Cars drive through Pigeon Forge, a town outside of the national park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

This unexpected setback left me frantically scheduling cab rides, which I found to be quite limited in the area, as well.

This unexpected setback left me frantically scheduling cab rides, which I found to be quite limited in the area, as well.
The author travels by taxi in the towns outside of the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I couldn't get a cab, I had to get creative. This led me to my next surprise — taking a tram ride above the mountains.

When I couldn
A ticket to ride (L) a tram above the mountains (R) in Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to one of the largest aerial tramways in the US. Completed in 1973 to bring skiers safely up to the slopes, the tram ascends 300 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, and has carried millions of people up to Ober Mountain.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to one of the largest aerial tramways in the US. Completed in 1973 to bring skiers safely up to the slopes, the tram ascends 300 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, and has carried millions of people up to Ober Mountain.
A tram arrives at Ober Mountain.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I spotted the tram while sitting in a restaurant on a rainy day trying to figure out how to get to my next Airbnb. With no taxi available, I would have otherwise faced a 3-hour walk.

I spotted the tram while sitting in a restaurant on a rainy day trying to figure out how to get to my next Airbnb. With no taxi available, I would have otherwise faced a 3-hour walk.
The author's booth at a restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A quick Google search informed me that the tram traveled between downtown Gatlinburg and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb.

A quick Google search informed me that the tram traveled between downtown Gatlinburg and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb.
The tram stop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with rides to Ober Mountain.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Impressed with my creative problem-solving, I boarded the tram for a $30, two-mile ride above the mountains.

Impressed with my creative problem-solving, I boarded the tram for a $30, two-mile ride above the mountains.
Inside a tram traveling above the national park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the aerial views of the park from the tram were epic, even in the rain. And I couldn't help but think if I hadn't struggled to find taxis, I never would have experienced the tram.

I thought the aerial views of the park from the tram were epic, even in the rain. And I couldn
Views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the tram.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was also surprised by my experiences with my accommodations. I spent three nights in cozy cabins I found on Airbnb, and one night in a tent at a glamping resort.

I was also surprised by my experiences with my accommodations. I spent three nights in cozy cabins I found on Airbnb, and one night in a tent at a glamping resort.
The author stays in a tent (L) and a cabin (R) in Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I booked two cabins for roughly $450 a night each. I thought the cabins were full of amenities to help me relax and enjoy the view, from covered patio seating to a gas fireplace that ignited with the touch of a button.

I booked two cabins for roughly $450 a night each. I thought the cabins were full of amenities to help me relax and enjoy the view, from covered patio seating to a gas fireplace that ignited with the touch of a button.
The author relaxes in the cabins.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I went glamping, I stayed in a luxury tent for $520 at the Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains resort.

When I went glamping, I stayed in a luxury tent for $520 at the Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains resort.
Inside the author's stargazer tent at the Under Canvas resort.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Under Canvas

Insider received a media rate for the stay at the Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains.

I thought I'd prefer the comforts of the cabins over a tent, but I was wrong. I enjoyed the luxury camping experience much more than I expected.

I thought I
The author's tent at the glamping resort.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Unlike the cabins where I spent time alone, Under Canvas is a glamping resort with a community feel. I really liked chatting with kind employees and other campers, which warmed my heart — especially since I was traveling solo.

Unlike the cabins where I spent time alone, Under Canvas is a glamping resort with a community feel. I really liked chatting with kind employees and other campers, which warmed my heart — especially since I was traveling solo.
A communal space at the Under Canvas glamping resort.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I also appreciated the luxury aspects of the tent, like a king-sized bed, a pull-chain shower, and a wood-fired oven to keep warm.

I also appreciated the luxury aspects of the tent, like a king-sized bed, a pull-chain shower, and a wood-fired oven to keep warm.
The author uses a pull-down shower (L) and makes her own fire      Joey Hadden/Insider

Making my own fire to heat my tent was challenging, but it made me feel more connected to nature than in the cabins. And by the end of my stay, I felt confident in my abilities to start and maintain a fire.

Making my own fire to heat my tent was challenging, but it made me feel more connected to nature than in the cabins. And by the end of my stay, I felt confident in my abilities to start and maintain a fire.
The author keeps herself warm in the tent.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was also surprised by how I spent my free time each day. I used electronics less than I usually do.

I was also surprised by how I spent my free time each day. I used electronics less than I usually do.
The author spends time reading in her tent at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the past, I've only taken day trips or spent one night at national parks, so I never had enough time to sincerely change my technology habits.

In the past, I
The author camps during a National Park road trip in 2019.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But spending four nights in nature made me want to use my phone and iPad less. Before bed, I read instead of watching TV. And I replaced my morning habit of Wordle with enjoying the mountain views.

But spending four nights in nature made me want to use my phone and iPad less. Before bed, I read instead of watching TV. And I replaced my morning habit of Wordle with enjoying the mountain views.
The author enjoys the views from a cabin outside of the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

And since returning from my trip, I've been using my phone less, too.

And since returning from my trip, I
The author looks out the window from a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Another unexpected realization came while exploring my photography hobby. With stunning views in every direction, I anticipated practicing astrophotography, which is a technique for capturing photos of the stars. But a couple of hiccups got in the way.

Another unexpected realization came while exploring my photography hobby. With stunning views in every direction, I anticipated practicing astrophotography, which is a technique for capturing photos of the stars. But a couple of hiccups got in the way.
A photo of the Great Smoky Mountains at night shows some stars lighting up the sky.      Joey Hadden/Insider

According to their website, Under Canvas Resort uses dim lighting to minimize light pollution. So I was eager to take photos of the stars during my glamping stay. But it was too cloudy and rainy to capture any good photos.

According to their website, Under Canvas Resort uses dim lighting to minimize light pollution. So I was eager to take photos of the stars during my glamping stay. But it was too cloudy and rainy to capture any good photos.
A long-exposure shot at the Under Canvas Resort lacks a view of the stars.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Under Canvas

The only clear sky was on my final night, when I stayed in a cabin in the mountains. I decided to try again.

The only clear sky was on my final night, when I stayed in a cabin in the mountains. I decided to try again.
The author's cabin during her final night in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the surrounding cabins were too brightly lit. While I got some shots of the stars, I ultimately wasn't impressed with my work. At the same time, I realized these factors were out of my control.

But the surrounding cabins were too brightly lit. While I got some shots of the stars, I ultimately wasn
Cabins in the mountains seen at night with a few stars above.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The last surprise of my trip was one of the best, when I stumbled upon several preserved historic buildings within the national park.

The last surprise of my trip was one of the best, when I stumbled upon several preserved historic buildings within the national park.
The author stands in front of a preserved village in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Aside from visitor centers and gift shops, I haven't seen many buildings in a national park before. But the Great Smoky Mountains are filled with preserved and restored historic settlements. According to the NPS, there are more than 90 of these structures in the park.

Aside from visitor centers and gift shops, I haven
A persevered building in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

One building I stumbled upon in the Cades Cove area of the park was the Cable Mill, a water-powered turbine originally built to serve an early-1900s mountain community.

One building I stumbled upon in the Cades Cove area of the park was the Cable Mill, a water-powered turbine originally built to serve an early-1900s mountain community.
Mingus Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

According to educational plaques I read in the area, the mill hasn't been moved since its creation and still operates today.

According to educational plaques I read in the area, the mill hasn
The Cable Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

And according to the NPS, other buildings in the park were renovated and restored for public access. This includes the cabins in Elkmont Historic District from the 1800s, where visitors may now go inside for a sense of what life was once like.

And according to the NPS, other buildings in the park were renovated and restored for public access. This includes the cabins in Elkmont Historic District from the 1800s, where visitors may now go inside for a sense of what life was once like.
Cabins in the Elkmont Historic District.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Collectively, these surprises made me think that the Great Smoky Mountains were unlike any other National Park I've experienced, from free entry to historic buildings frozen in time.

Collectively, these surprises made me think that the Great Smoky Mountains were unlike any other National Park I
Cabins in the Elkmont Historic District.      Joey Hadden/Insider

And other surprises made me realize how I might improve my experience next time, from choosing to camp in luxury to adjusting my expectations for things outside of my control.

And other surprises made me realize how I might improve my experience next time, from choosing to camp in luxury to adjusting my expectations for things outside of my control.
Tents at the Under Canvas glamping resort in the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But one thing is for sure — I'll definitely be back to the Great Smoky Mountains. And hopefully, I'll have better weather to snap more pictures of the stars.

But one thing is for sure — I
The Great Smoky Mountains viewed from the trail to Clingman's Dome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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