Great Smoky Mountains NP - Day 1

North Carolina

Exploring the Heart of the Smokies

One of the significant 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 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.

We began our visit at the Mountain Farm Museum, which gave us a glimpse into what life was like 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.

Exploring Great Smoky Mountains NP

Afterward, we hiked the easy Oconaluftee River Trail, which starts at the visitor center and ends 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 was and still is sacred. The trail wound its way through the forest, offering beautiful views of the meandering river.

Our 8-Mile Hike Through Deep Creek

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.

Taking the longer 8-mile loop was the right choice for us. The waterfalls were beautiful, and it was also nice keeping pace with other hikers. Our favorite part, though, was when the crowds disappeared and the path went quiet; it felt like the park was just ours for a while.