Knoxville is nestled in the rolling hills of Tennessee and the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Just on the outskirts of Knox County, the Smokies rise above providing a great escape for adventures.

Picturesque waterfalls, great wildlife viewing and breathtaking views within this national park capture the hearts of over nine million visitors annually.

Considering the close proximity to the Gatlinburg and Townsend entrances of the park, students need to embrace the outdoors. Other accessible areas include the Ijams Nature Center, Big South Fork National Recreation Area and Obed National Scenic River.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides an outdoor playground with amenities like frontcountry camping, backcountry camping, day hiking and picnicking.

David Crisler, junior in English, loves to take advantage of the Smokies on the weekends.

“I love to escape from Knoxville and get out and do something,” Crisler said. “I don’t have as much time as I would like, but I do take advantage of my open moments.”   

Courtney Grantham, senior in wildlife and fishery studies, finds herself going home to the mountains frequently.

“I am originally from that area, and I’m glad that I get to go hide out in the mountains from time to time,” said Grantham. “The Smokies are one of the reasons I decided to go into wildlife and fisheries studies.”

There are many opportunities of escape for students.

Day Hiking

Over 900 miles of trails grace the mountain tops and valleys of the Smokies. Trails range in difficulty from easy to difficult, fitting all visitors.  

Favorite student trails include Chimney Tops and Laurel Falls, both of which are heavily traveled by people. Always exercise caution and be prepared for the worst. Day hiking is extremely rewarding and worthwhile for the people who devote an entire day to adventure.

Pack a lunch, wear layers and always have a backup plan if a road is closed. Factor in chances. The weather in the Smokies is extremely unpredictable, but that’s definitely part of the adventure.

Frontcountry Camping

The National Park maintains 10 frontcountry campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National park. Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock and Smokemont offer primitive camping available to all. Each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets.

Every campsite comes complete with a fire ring and a picnic table. Reservations for Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont and Smokemont may be reserved online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Frontcountry camping is a great option for people who want a fun experience but would prefer the comfort of knowing a ranger is always near.

Students can gather in groups and head to the mountains for a positive weekend with a few tents and other assorted supplies. The maximum number of group for a standard frontcountry site is six people. Group campsites are available at some of the campgrounds.

Food storage is extremely important when camping in the frontcountry. To avoid ticketing, do not leave any food unattended in your campsite.

Backpacking

Backpacking is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in nature. Backpackers are subject to all backcountry rules and regulations in terms of food storage.

At the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all backcountry camping requires a permit. Backcountry permits are free and available at all visitor centers and any campgrounds.

Some backcountry sites and all Appalachian Trail shelters require reservations. These reservations can be made by calling the Backcountry Reservation Office at 865-436-1231 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Please call and confirm that campsites are open. Depending on bear activity, some campsites may close throughout the summer. Always store food correctly on bear-proof storage cables at each campsite, and always use a fire ring.

Camping in a non-park regulated area off of a trail is illegal and ticketing is enforced. The maximum stay at a campsite is three consecutive nights. Visitors cannot stay at a shelter longer than one night.

Backcountry camping is a great way to truly escape the hubbub of Knoxville. No cell phone service. No Internet. Lots of time to truly enjoy yourself.

Wildlife Viewing

Visitors flock annually to see wildlife within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Keep in mind the rules and regulations. These rules are put in place not only for your safety but also for the animals.

The closest visitors can legally be to any sort of megafauna wildlife (elk, deer, black bear) is 150 feet.

Research to know what to do when you see a black bear. The National Park Service wants you to enjoy your visit while still protecting the wild animals that call this area home.

Great areas to go wildlife viewing are Cades Cove and any of the 900 miles of trails. Cades Cove is an open area that used to be an old community. Not only is it historically rich, but black bears are constantly seen frolicking in the fields.