Crocketts Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg

Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Play on Spotify

It had been many years since I had visited Gatlinburg during my road trip across the USA.  I finally returned to see the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The spectacular light show only took one night, so my friends and I found many other things to do in Gatlinburg for our three day June getaway.

Gatlinburg is a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee with a population of approximately 3,500.  The popular vacation resort town is known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.

EXPLORE!

Happy Hiking: Alum Cave Trail

Parking

The Alum Cave Trail is an extremely popular hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  It is located 11 miles southeast of Gatlinburg and the drive on curvy scenic roads in the parks takes about 30 minutes.

Due to its popularity, the parking area at the trailhead fills up by 7am.  If you are not an early riser, you can go around 2pm to get a spot as the parking lot clears once the early birds finish up.

HAPPY HIKING!
synchronous fireflies

Synchronous Fireflies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What are Syncrhonous Fireflies?

Synchronous fireflies are a species of lightning bugs that blink synchronously during their mating ritual.  There are only a few places in the world to see synchronous fireflies, and one such place are the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trailheads near Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Every year around the third week of May to the third week of June, depending on the temperature and soil moisture, the synchronous fireflies mate for 2-3 weeks. During this period, the males fly around flashing in unison while trying to attract females that remain stationary on the ground.  The females return their signal, and the males fly down to mate, sometimes fighting with others.

LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!
cades cove, great smoky mountains national park

Day 65 – East Tennessee Border Tour Part 2

Day 65 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

OK, after my detour to Knoxville last night, I ended up returning to Sieverville, not far from the continuation of my scenic drive along the East Tennessee Border.  What an interesting place!  Sieverville is just west of Gatlinburg. In between Sieverville and Gatlinburg is Pigeon Forge.  I felt like I was in a mini Vegas except instead of walking down the Strip past hotels and casinos, I drove down Dolly Parton Parkway past motels and attractions including magic, theater, miniature golf, speed racing, the Titanic Museum, moving seat cinema, laser tag, and more!  Well, really Dolly Parton Parkway was a few miles away, but it sounded better to have all the entertainment lining the street with her name.  No worries, I stopped by Dollywood too…though it was closed.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!