Great Smoky Mountains NP - Day 1
April 2022
Exploring the Heart of the Smokies
One of the main reasons we chose to stay in Franklin, NC, was its proximity to the Oconaluftee entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was just under an hour’s drive from our Airbnb.
The Smokies truly live up to their name; the “smoke” is a natural haze caused by trees releasing water vapor and organic compounds known as terpenes. When the light hits just right, a beautiful, smoky haze seems to cover the mountains, creating a stunning view.
Appalachian History and Riverside Walk
- April 22, 2022
- 3.94 mi
- 1:20:30 hrs
- 71 °F
We began our visit at the Mountain Farm Museum, which gave us a glimpse of life here a century ago. The early Appalachian settlers were self-sufficient, but their lifestyle was incredibly labor-intensive. The site includes an impressive collection of authentic log structures, including a farmhouse, barn, springhouse, blacksmith shop, and a corn crib.
Afterward, we hiked the easy flat Oconaluftee River Trail along the river, starting at the visitor center and ending near Cherokee, NC. The name “Oconaluftee” is derived from the Cherokee village name “Egwanulti,” which means “by the river.” For the Cherokee people, the river is and remains sacred. The trail wound its way through the forest, offering beautiful views of the meandering river.
Exploring Great Smoky Mountains NP
The Three Falls of Deep Creek
- April 22, 2022
- 7.78 mi
- 2:56:54 hrs
- 76 °F
Our next adventure was exploring the beautiful Deep Creek area near Bryson City, North Carolina. We started by parking at the beginning of Tom Branch Road, and the short stroll from here led us right to the trailheads. Our first stop was the stunning Juney Whank Falls. This trail was a bit of a climb, but it was absolutely worth it since the 90-foot waterfall is breathtaking.
We then followed the Deep Creek Horse Trail, which took us through a dense forest with some challenging climbs and descents. It was rugged and quiet, and here it felt like we had the national park to ourselves.
The last part of our hike was just as enjoyable. We followed the winding Indian Creek Trail and the Deep Creek Trail, leading us to two more beautiful waterfalls. We admired the powerful, cascading 25-foot Indian Creek Falls and then the graceful, 80-foot Tom Branch Falls, which tumbles right into the creek.
Opting for the longer 8-mile loop was the perfect choice. While the beautiful waterfalls—Juney Whank, Indian Creek, and Tom Branch—certainly made the visit worthwhile, our favorite moments were the quiet stretches of solitude. When the crowds disappeared, it felt as though the park was entirely ours.
Not Ready to Say Goodbye
Our first day exploring the national park had been an incredible adventure. We were already looking forward to returning to explore the area’s rugged beauty once more.