Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Walland

"No matter when you visit, the highest peak in the national park offers dazzling views. From the circular, flying-saucer-like viewing platform, you'll have a sweeping 360-degree panorama of the undulating waves of forested peaks that stretch off into the distance. While it's an easy but steep uphill walk along the paved half-mile path to the observation tower, there are many outstanding trails that cross through here – including the Appalachian Trail and the Alum Cave Bluffs trail."

"When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, why not start off by hiking up to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet. From the car park, it’s a relatively steep half-mile walk to the observation tower on the summit, but our kids handled it no problem and on a clear day you get spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond – a great spot for sunrise and sunset."

"This water hike in the Smoky Mountains is only 1.1 miles roundtrip, making it the perfect nature walk for anyone!. The trail is marked, so it is easy to navigate the path. You’ll walk past streams and across a foot bridge."

"The UT Gardens are the official Tennessee botanical gardens, so it’s natural that they’re among Knoxville’s tourist attractions. Over 4,000 annuals, herbs, trees, perennials, tropical plants, vegetables, shrubs, and ornamental grasses live on the beautiful grounds, maintained by the UT Institute of Agriculture. The UT Gardens are wonderfully kept, carefully noted with signs that provide useful information about each plant you may see."

"Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over the sandstone cliff more than makes up for its lack of height. In fact, Abrams Falls is the most voluminous waterfall in the park, easily making this the most scenic waterfall in the Smokies. As a result, the moderate 5.2-mile roundtrip hike to the waterfall is one of the more popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains."

"A moderate 5 mile hike leads to one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains near Cades Cove. From the trailhead near the halfway point in Cades Cove, hikers will descend down a stunning river gorge to this high-flow waterfall in the park. Otters are known the frequent this section of the river on Abrams Creek."

"Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, but it boasts a large volume of water and a wide cascade that more than makes up for its lack of height."

"Denny's is a nice inexpensive Traditional American Restaurant located not too far from the center of Pigeon Forge. It is a perfect spot for Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, Breakfast and Group Dining. Denny's is open every day of the week."

"Sometimes you want a classic European-style breakfast, and other times nothing but Southern-style biscuits and sausage gravy will do. When you have a hankering for the latter, you can’t beat Nick & J’s Cafe on Lovell Road. A cozy family diner, Nick & J’s serves up homemade biscuits and gravy like nobody else in town, plus buttermilk pancakes, home fries, omelets, and other Southern favorites."

"Grotto Falls is accessible via the Trillium Gap Trail, the trailhead of which can be found on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. On the 3-mile round trip, which is of moderate difficulty, hikers will traverse old hemlock forests in a peaceful atmosphere until they reach the falls. The trail actually leads directly behind the cascading water of Grotto Falls, offering a unique and gorgeous point of view for visitors, and the 25-foot-tall waterfall is a cool and beautiful destination."

"Grotto Falls is a terrific hiking trail for seeing wildflowers and a truly unique waterfall. In fact, the Trillium Gap Trail passes underneath the falls – a great way to cool off in the heat of summer. If you have enough time, this hiking trail also continues to the summit of Mt. LeConte."

"Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that a person can actually walk behind. The 25-foot high waterfall offers a cool, shady, and moist retreat for summer hikers. This same environment also provides ideal habitat for salamanders as well."