Great Smoky Mountains Named One Of America’s ‘Best Winter Drives’

We all know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is beautiful to visit, no matter what time of year. However, our favorite nature spot recently gained national attention when on February 4, CNN Travel named our very own Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one of the best winter drives in America.

In the article, the writer instructs travelers to begin their driving tour in the heart of Gatlinburg, and from there travel towards Asheville, North Carolina, to experience a “window into the southern alpine wilderness.” Totaling 81 miles on US 321 and Interstate-40 East, winter vacationers choosing to spend a day exploring the beautiful wintery roads outlined in this article are sure to be in for a visual treat.

Along with snow-capped mountains and unbeatable scenic views, this trek will also take travelers past an unparalleled view of Mount Cammerer.

Also, because it’s not a fun winter vacation to the Smokies if you can’t play in the snow, CNN also urges visitors to take time out of their travels and explore the exciting Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. Be sure to travel to the resort via the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway to experience even more unbeatable winter scenery in the Smokies.

The Aerial Tramway connect visitors and skiers to the ski resort from downtown Gatlinburg on the Parkway. Other fun activities at Ober Gatlinburg include snow tubing, snowboarding, ice skating and a wildlife exhibit. There is also a delicious restaurant and gift shop housed at the resort.

In addition to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, other areas of the country also making the news group’s list include Arches National Park in Utah, Badlands Loop Road in South Dakota, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Indiana’s Parke County, Yellowstone National Park, and Lakes to Locks Passage in New York. To see the full list, along with commentary, read the full article here.

Other Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

Looking for a shorter alternative to your scenic wintery drive in the Smokies? Vacationers should be sure to check out the beautiful sights on Newfound Gap Road, the Cades Cove Loop, or even the Gatlinburg Bypass. All routes take guests on a winding adventure through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cades Cove Loop is also well-known for offering guests a special glimpse of the native wildlife that call the park home.

Ready to start planning your family’s next winter vacation to the Smokies? Visit My Smokies offers travelers tons of useful information to make vacation planning as easy as possible. Whether you are looking for new and exciting shows to attend, or want to find the best Gatlinburg cabin or Pigeon Forge bed and breakfast, we have all the details under our Where to Stay and What to Do tabs on our website. See you in the Smokies!