How to Plan a Family Vacation at the Smokey Mountains

A family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one that will be remembered for a lifetime. Depending upon the length of your stay and the ages of your travel group, however, planning a trip that is right for you can be a daunting task. With this guide, you will learn how to plan an amazing trip that will leave everyone wanting to go back for more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Family members to provide input
• Internet access
• Paper
• Pencil

Planning a Family Vacation to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park

1. Research the activities that can be enjoyed at the Great Smoky Mountains and in the surrounding area, including in the towns of Townsend, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

2. Visit the website for each of the nearby towns and sign up to receive tourist information.

3. Separate the activities into different categories. Sample categories may include: hikes, museums, tourist attractions, shopping and theme parks.

4. Gather the family together and review all of the available options. Allow each family member to choose at least one attraction. That way, each family member has something special to look forward to and plays an active role in planning the trip.

5. After looking at what each town has to offer and determining which one suits your family the best, perform a search of available accommodations within that town. Consider your family's needs when selecting accommodations, as there are plenty of small hotels, luxury hotels, and cabins available for rent in the area.

6. Make reservations at the hotel or cabin of your choice.

7. Create an itinirary for your vacation by planning which attractions you will visit each day.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are looking for a quiet getaway, Townsend is a good choice for accommodations. Pigeon Forge will put you close to numerous shopping opportunities as well as Dollywood, while Gatlinburg keeps you near to many tourist attractions.
• Make your hotel or cabin reservations several months ahead of time if possible, as spaces fill up fast.
• Some roads within the park and its surrounding towns may be closed in the winter and early spring because of weather, so if your visit is anytime during November through March, plan accordingly.
• Avoid the temptation to over plan your vacation, while having a general idea of what you will do is good, being too rigid in your plans can take away from the fun of your family vacation.
• If you visit National Parks on a regular basis, you might want to consider obtaining an annual pass. The pass will allow you to get into the parks for free after paying a small annual fee.
• A great deal of wildlife can be found in the Smoky Mountains. Never approach a bear or other wildlife.
• While hiking in the Smokies, be sure to talk and make noise so you don't accidentally sneak up on a wild animal and frighten it. A frightened animal is a dangerous animal.
• Some trails have sheer drop offs. Be sure to keep a close eye on your children when hiking.
• Take plenty of water with you while walking the trails. It is easy to become tired and dehydrated, even on a cool day.

Resources

• Townsend Vacation Guide
• Gatlinburg Vacation Guide
• Pigeon Forge Vacation Guide
• National Park Pass
• Official Site for Smoky Mountains