Long believed to have healing properties many people sought out the mineral springs that flowed through what is now the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The nearby town of Sulphur sprang up in the 1890s and promoted these supposed healing powers. After awhile when it started getting popular, the residents decided they didn’t want to “overuse” the springs but rather preserve them. In 1902 the Department of the Interior bought the springs and 690 acres of land from the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations and turned it into Platt National Park.

A lot of the waterfalls and trails that you see throughout the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. They also planted over 500,000(!) trees, built pavilions, and paved roads. In 1976 Arbuckle Recreation area and other lands were combined along with Platt National Park to make this impressive 10,000-acre recreation area. Eventually the name was changed to Chickasaw National Recreation Area to recognize the Chickasaw Nation’s hand in helping establish the park.

Lake of the Arbuckles in Chickasaw National Recreation Area

The Lake of the Arbuckles has 36 miles of shoreline and a total surface area of 2,350 acres. That leaves plenty of room to fish, waterski, swim, or just relax on a pontoon boat. The water is crystal clear and offers fantastic visibility.

There are boat ramps near The Point, Buckhorn, and Guy Sandy campgrounds. Canoes, personal watercraft, and boats are all allowed on the lake. PWCs are only allowed from sunup to sundown. If you’re waterskiing, having a spotter along with the boat operator is required. Popular fish to catch include largemouth bass, catfish, and white crappie. You will need an Oklahoma license to fish; you can pick one up at the Chickasaw Visitor Center. Permits for boats and PWCs can be purchased near the boat ramps and are required.

Swimming is allowed in the lake during the day, just stay away from fishing docks and boat ramps.

Camping at Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Adventures delivered to your inbox. Plan your next trip!

SUBSCRIBE

There are six campgrounds, three are in the Platt Historic District and three are around the Lake of the Arbuckles. To make reservations, go to the Recreation.gov website. Campsites are $20/$30 for non-utility/utility sites. Group sites are $30/50 depending on how big your group is. All sites have the standard fire pit, picnic table and grill.

Platt Historic District

Cold Springs, Rock Creek and Central are all in the Platt District. They have wooded campsites, and water spigots are scattered around the grounds, but there are no electric hookups. They have flushable toilets and sinks with running water in the restrooms, but no showers. Rock Creek (99 sites) and Central (10 sites) are only open during the summer, Rock Creek is a group only campsite.

Cold Springs has 65 campsites, sits along the Travertine Creek, and is open year-round. The sites are nicely wooded and can get relatively private. It’s set up for mainly tent camping, but small RVs may fit, basically, if you’re less than 20′ you’re probably good.

Close to the Nature Center and Travertine Creek, these are great campsites for families. You’ll want to check the Facility Information tab when you make reservations though, as there are special rules like no alcohol allowed between May 1st through September 30th (yes, really).

Keep your vacation memories fresh with one of our handy Journals. Write down appointments, excursions, and your vacation experiences. Available in hard cover or paper back.

Order Here

Lake of the Arbuckles District

Campgrounds Buckhorn and The Point are on the north side of the lake and Guy Sandy is on the southwest side. Guy Sandy campground has 40 sites, no electricity, and no showers. Due to storm damage, it is closed until further notice.

The Point campgrounds are on the west side of Rock Creek and can be accessed from the west side of the town of Sulphur. There are 55 campsites on two loops and they’re open year-round. 12 of the sites have electricity and the water spigots are interspersed throughout the campgrounds.

All sites are wooded, and some are even close to the shore (guess which ones are hard to get). There is a shower in the lower loop with running water in the bathrooms.

On the northeast side of Lake of the Arbuckles is Buckhorn campground and can be accessed via Highway 177. Four loops (A,B,C,D) with 134 sites, loops C and D are open year-round and have 34 and 49 sites, about half have electricity. All loops have modern showers and restrooms. Loops A and B have 46 campsites and are first come, first served during the summer season and no electricity.

While you’re close to the shoreline on some sites at Buckhorn, there are none that are directly on the water.

Hiking at Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Most of the trails at Chickasaw National Recreation Area are easy or moderate and are usually wide enough for strollers. Dogs are allowed on the trails except for the trails east of the Nature Center, just keep Rusty on a leash. Bikes are also allowed on the trails, so bikers/hikers, keep an eye out for each other.

Springs Trail

This trail starts at the Travertine Nature center and is a one-mile hike round trip over a gravel path. The main trail follows Travertine Creek, which is fed by Buffalo and Antelope Springs. Along the way you’ll travel on a wide gravel path through wooded areas. There are side trails that go deeper into the woods and over the creek. The side trails are usually single wide and there is a little bit of elevation gain. Each is about .5 miles each and will add two miles to your hike if you take them all and they are not stroller friendly.

The main trail takes you to the headwaters of both Buffalo Springs and Antelope Springs. Buffalo Springs has been built up with a nice sitting area where you can sit and enjoy the springs in a shaded area. Antelope Springs was left natural and has a rocky hill behind the headwaters that you can climb if that’s your thing.

Travertine Creek Trail

This is an easy 1.5-mile trail that follows Travertine Creek from Pavilion Springs to the Travertine Nature Center. Mostly gravel over long slopes, some bridges, and a set of steps. Your feet might get wet, if the water is high enough it’ll cross the road over the bridges. Along the way you’ll pass Little Niagara, a popular spot for wading and swimming.

Bison Pasture in Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Almost two miles of varying grades including elevation gain/loss, narrow passage, stairs, and steep grades make this a moderate hike. Don’t hop the fence otherwise you’ll go into an instant extreme hike due to the buffalo in the prairie! You can also access the Bromide Hill switchbacks from the Bison Pasture Trail (see below) climb them for a great view of the town of Sulphur and the windmills in the distance.

Rock Creek Multi-Use Trails

Bikers, hikers, horses, and dogs are all allowed on the Rock Creek Trails. The mostly gravel trails make up four trails from 2.1 miles to 4.4 miles one way. Trail travelers will follow rustic pathways through prairies and forested areas. They also go through a hunting area, so if you’re planning on taking this trail during hunting season, make sure to leave the camo at home and wear brightly colored clothing.

Veterans Lake

This trial is a paved 2.9-mile loop around Veterans Lake, perfect for a morning run or evening stroll. You’ll pass upland prairies, beaches and a hardwood forest.

Other Trails and Highlights in Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Flower Park and Veterans Trails

There are miles of trails throughout the park that are wide gravel paths and are stroller/wheelchair accessible. In the Platt Historic area, you have easy access to Flower Park Trail which flows through a park with a water fountain. Veterans Trail connects Pavillion Springs to the Oklahoma Veterans Center with a 1/2-mile-long easy gravel path.

Swimming in Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Lakes, creeks, and waterfall areas are popular swimming areas in the park. There are no lifeguards so swim at your own risk. In the summer during busy times, they do check bacteria levels in the popular swimming areas, you can see the results here.

In Lake of the Arbuckles and Veterans Lake, swimming is allowed as long as you’re not near the boat launches or fishing docks. Popular areas to swim are the picnic areas at the Point Campgrounds, and the picnic areas near the boat ramp at Buckhorn. Just be sure to stay away from the, you know, boat launches.

Little Niagara is a popular spot to cool off in the creek; there are pools that allow for floating and swimming. Swimming is allowed from the falls to anywhere downstream; swimming is not allowed east of Little Niagara.

Travertine Creek across from the Point campground is another spot people like to wade or chill in the pools below the falls. The springs will run dry from time to time, so if it’s a particularly dry season Travertine Creek might not be flowing.

Rock Creek’s popular areas to swim are the Black Sulphur Springs area and the Forty Foot Hole right off the loop on Cat’s Eye Road.

Lincoln Bridge

The Lincoln Bridge is located at the south end of Flower Park and was the first major improvement to Platt National Park. It was dedicated on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12th, 1909. Its picturesque qualities have made it a focal point of the park in pictures for over 100 years.

Bromide Hill

To get to Bromide Hill climb the switchbacks accessed from the Bison Pasture Trail or do it the easy way and drive to the top. The switchbacks are steep and narrow and are a great climb if you’re in shape for it. Otherwise, you can drive to the parking lot on Perimeter Road and take a short hike for spectacular views of the town of Sulphur and surrounding areas.

The Leeper House

Once used as a courthouse, school, and community center, this 1894 brick house was originally built as a family residence for Graves Leeper and his family. The only known building remaining from the original town of Sulphur Springs is now used as a ranger station.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is a perfect spot to cool off in the summer or enjoy a relaxing hike in the spring or fall. If you’re in the Dallas or Oklahoma City area or even if you’re going to be driving through, you should definitely spend a day or two there.

The post Chickasaw National Recreation Area Travel Guide: Top Trails, Springs & Local Tips appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the busiest National Park by far, almost three times as many visitors as second place Grand Canyon. The busiest days in the Great Smoky Mountains are predicted to be when the leaves are at peak color from Oct. 10th – Oct. 26th. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that it’s probably better to stay away from the busiest days in the busiest park. You may not avoid the crowds completely, but if you follow these tips, you should be alright.

Check the calendar, fortunately, the NPS has a calendar of predicted peak congestion days. Red Diamond days are bad if you’re looking for solitude, or parking for that matter. Red Diamond Days are predicted for the aforementioned Oct. 10-26th, Oct 4, 5, 29th, and the first two weekends in November. If those are the only days that you have available, or you’re really wanting to see the leaves peak season, then, do yourself a favor and change things up from the average tourist.

Use one of our handy travel size journals to keep your travel memories, plans, and appointments in mind. Each page has a slight image of the cover, available in hard or paperback.

ORDER HERE

Hike for Color Changes According to Elevation

There are over 150 trails in the park, some of which are extremely popular. If you want to hike one of those, go ahead, just be aware that it could get really crowded both on the trail and in the parking lot. The following is a list of moderately difficult trails that are not as popular but will offer great autumn views.

Leaves will generally change colors at the higher elevations first. If your window for leaf viewing is mid to late September, think about hiking Andrews Bald or The Jump Off. The first two weeks of October Albright Grove and Sugarland Mountain Trail are good mid-level trails to hike. Bonus, if you hike the late September trails in the first week of October, you’ll see colors both above and below you.

Good trails to take in the final half of October are Bullhead and Mt Sterling. If you’re looking for an easy trail to take the kids on, Baskins Creek Falls is a 3-mile trail with waterfalls.

Mid to late October is screaming Red Diamond Days. If this is the only time that you can get there you don’t have to resign yourself to being shoulder to shoulder on the trail if you’re smart about it. According to the park service, most people get to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park between 10 and 11 am. The park is open 24 hours, and they don’t put away the leaves at night. So, if you want to beat the crowds, set your alarm clock early and get to the trailhead by sun-up.

In November, if you can get out on a weekday, you can hike the popular trails and they most likely won’t be crowded. Good trails to hike are Abrams Falls, Rainbow Falls trail, or the Oconaluftee River trail. You can probably even take the Cades Cove Loop and not be bumper to bumper.

If you want to camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out our guide conveniently located right here!

Hiking With the Dogs at Great Smoky Mountains

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get awesome adventure travel ideas to help you plan your next vacation!

SUBSCRIBE

You can’t leave Rusty at home while you’re living up the brisk autumn life in the Great Smoky Mountains, but not all trails are dog friendly. There are various reasons for dogs not being allowed in certain places in the park. Safety of the dog is the main one. Nothing ruins a family fall outing faster than watching the family pet get eaten by a bear.

Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along the road, all while on a leash. There are also two trails that allow dogs, again, on a leash. The Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail are both listed as easy trails with limited elevation gain and gravel paths.

The Gatlinburg trail follows the Little River and offers views of old Smoky Mountains homesteads as well as evidence of the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfire. Another feature is you’ll cross one of the park’s longest footbridges. Bikes are allowed on the Gatlinburg trail, so keep an eye out for them to keep both your pet and the biker safe.

The Oconaluftee trail follows the namesake river and is on the North Carolina side of the park. The gravel path with a 70-foot elevation gain offers views of a host of trees. Dogwood, basswoods, sycamores, and buckeyes bloom for the spring hiker, and the asters change for the fall hiker.

Alternative Ways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Everybody likes to have the convenience of their own vehicle at their disposal, but if there’s no place to park, what’s the use? There’s nothing worse than having that $5 parking money burning a hole in your pocket, but you can’t pay the parking fee if you can’t park.

If you’re staying close outside the park, you can always Uber or Lyft yourself straight to the trailhead. Another alternative is the shuttle system. The National Park Service has a list of shuttle services that they recommend. Some will give you a ride to your preferred trailhead, others will drop off at popular destinations, even others have guided tours to go along with the ride.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park list of shuttles can be found here.

Keep it Clean in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Use the provided receptacles for your trash, if there are none, pack it out. Don’t ever feed the bears! We’ve all seen Yogi, we know what happens when you feed the bears, so don’t do it. If you’re backwoods camping, don’t leave anything behind, and definitely don’t bury something that you don’t feel like carrying and act like you’re doing nature a favor (yes, it happens).

Be sure to check the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website for an updated list of closures before you go.

The post Guide to Fall Colors in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2025 appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.

Mesa Verde was the home of the Puebloan people as far back as 550 AD. In the late 1100s they moved from the Mesas to the cliffs where the overhanging structures offered protection from the elements. They built houses and lived among the cliffs for many years. After about 600 years the people started moving away and nobody is really sure why.

The only places to stay in the park are the Far View Lodge and Morefield Campground. Both are closed during the winter months. Operating dates generally start the third week of April, and they usually close around the third week of October. If you’re going to stay in the lodge, it’s $135 per night, if you’re camping or hanging out in the RV it’s a $38 dollars per night. Although lodging in the park is only available from April to October, Mesa Verde is open year-round. If you’re there during the winter months, or can’t find room in the park, the town of Cortez is about fifteen minutes away and they have a selection of hotels and restaurants.

The entrance to Mesa Verde is a scenic thirty-minute drive to the visitor center and main cliff dwellings. Along the way you’ll pass the campground and lodge, along with several fantastic overlooks.

There are nearly 600 cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, but these are the five main cliff dwelling archeological sites.

• Balcony House
• Cliff Palace
• Long House
• Square Tower House
• Step House

Looking for a perfect Colorado to Arizona road trip? Say no more, we’ve got you covered right here!

Balcony House

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get awesome adventure ideas to help you plan your next vacation!

SUBSCRIBE

To get to this you need to climb up a ladder on the side of a cliff! No problem, it’s only a 32-foot ladder. There are 40 rooms in the dwelling, and you can only get there on a ranger guided tour. Once you’ve scaled the entrance ladder there are more ladders and even a tunnel that you go through. The tour lasts about an hour and is an adventurous tour, if you’re not afraid of heights, put this one on your list.

Cliff Palace

At 150 rooms Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park, not to mention the most famous. Made out of the surrounding sandstone, the rooms were constructed with sandstone, wooden beams, and mortar. Ranger led tours are available for Cliff Palace. You traverse about 1/4 mile during the hour-long tour, and you’ll climb four ladders.

Long House in Mesa Verde National Park

The Long house is on the Mesa Top Loop Road, which forks off the main road in the Far View Area, this is a long way from the Cliff Palace and Balcony House, so keep that in mind when you’re making plans. There are 150 rooms and is the second largest dwelling in the park. It’s a two-mile trip that features ladders and an elevation gain of 130 feet. The ranger led tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Step House

You don’t need reservations for the Step House. It’s a self-guided tour of an area that was inhabited from 600 CE to 1200 CE. It has both pit houses from the early Puebloans to the cliff dwellings of the most recent inhabitants. The one-mile hike takes you on a dirt paved trail with stairs. Be sure to plan your hike so that you’re at the entrance before the 2:45 pm cut-off.

Square Tower House

If you want to go to the Square Tower House, you’re going to have to pay for it, physically. This strenuous hike features drop-offs, switchbacks, two ladders, and a walk along a narrow cliff ledge. Plus, scrambling over boulders and hiking steep gravel trails that descend 120 feet, all at an altitude of 7,000 feet. Reservations are required for the once daily ranger led tour. Once you get there, you’ll find the tallest structure in the park with an intact Kiva Roof and surrounding rock art. We shouldn’t need to say this but be sure to bring plenty of water.

Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park

Other than the trails to the dwellings, there are more trails in the park.

Petroglyph Point Trail

The appropriately name Petroglyph Point Trail is a 2.5-mile loop strenuous trail that gives you great views of Navajo and Spruce Canyons. The turnaround is at Petroglyph Point which gives you even more views of the Spruce Tree House, and you’ll see petroglyphs along the way.

Spruce Canyon Trail

The Spruce Canyon Trial is another strenuous trail with a 558 feet elevation change. Descending down to Spruce Canyon on a trail with numerous switchbacks, the diverse ecosystem of Mesa Verde is visible.

Soda Canyon Overlook

The Soda Canyon Overlook Trail is an easy hike through a pinyon-juniper forest that takes you to an overlook of the Balcony House and other cliff dwellings.

Knife Edge Trail at Mesa Verde National Park

If you’re looking for great sunset views, hop on this easy two-mile roundtrip trail along the old park road.

Point Lookout Trail

A moderate 2-mile trail with a 400-foot elevation change will give you spectacular views of the San Juan and La Plata mountains.

Prater Ridge Trail

You’re going to have to bulk up for this almost 8-mile trail with a 675-foot elevation change. Climb 1.1 miles to the top of Prater Ridge and you have your choice of the north loop, the south loop, or both. The north loop follows the edge of the mesa and overlooks Montezuma Valley, if you choose the south loop, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Prater and Morefield Valleys.

The Far View Sites in Mesa Verde National Park

Explore what used to be the Puebloan farming community between 900 and 1300 AD. Archeological sites on top of the mesa demonstrate how people lived and farmed. You can see the remains of an old reservoir, along with the Far View House, and four other dwellings.

Sun Temple

This ceremonial structure on Wetherhill Mesa had walls as high as 14 feet when it was built. From the overlook you get a great view of Cliff Palace.

If you’re going to Mesa Verde National Park for just a day or two, then Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Petroglyph Trail should be on your to do list. For more than that, explore until you’re exhausted, you won’t regret it.

Between April and October is the best time to visit since the tours are active at that time and the Far View Lodge and Morefield campground are open.

Once you’re done with Mesa Verde, your next adventure should be Toroweap Overlook on the Grand Canyon North Rim

The post Fantastic Things to do In Mesa Verde National Park appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.

As of July 2025, the North Rim is closed due to fires that are in the area and expected to be closed for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, the only National Park lodge on the North Rim burned down. While the North Rim is shut down in the park, Toroweap Overlook is still open.

Did you know that you can take a short drive from the North Rim to an intimate setting at Toroweap Overlook and have spectacular views of the Grand Canyon without the crowds?

There’s no doubt about it; the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the star of the Grand Canyon show. It has a village featuring hotels, shops, campgrounds, and outfitters. And all those amenities bring along crowds, you know, the whole “if you build it” thing. Of course, the views are just fantastic, I guess that helps a little! But if you head on over to the North Rim, you will get the same spectacular views with less crowds. You’ll have to give up some of the comforts that the South Rim offers, but you’ll have a less crowded experience. If you want to really cut down on crowds you can venture over to Toroweap Overlook and walk right up to the edge of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon North Rim

While it may not be as crowded as the south side, visiting the north side of the Grand Canyon does have a drawback. The North Rim is only open from May 15th to October 15th and is completely shut down in the winter. So, if you wanted to take in the snow-covered canyon views from the north side, you’re out of luck.

The North Rim isn’t as well equipped for big crowds as the South Rim, but it does have a lodge, visitor center, a campground, and even a saloon. The lodge and campground fill up quickly so be sure to make reservations for your trip well in advance. You can make reservations on the park website up to six months in advance. If the campground is full, there are other campgrounds in the area that you can stay at, and they don’t fill up as fast. There’s a handy list of them here.

The North Rim Elevation is over 8,000 feet. You can hike down to the bottom or until you feel like turning around from the North Rim. If you want to do the rim-to-rim challenge, it’s 21 miles to the top of the South Rim. Either way it’s strenuous, so make sure that you don’t overexert yourself. There are also easier trails that you can go on that will give you a great view of the canyon. Trail information can be found here.

Toroweap Overlook

Toroweap Overlook is in the Tuweep region, the longtime home to the southern Paiute people, who named the area. The Tuweep region is the epitome of remote, the last 61 miles is down a gravel road that features sharp rocks, washboarding, and dust, plenty of dust. When you finally reach the ranger station, there’s another 4 miles that require a high clearance vehicle, preferably a four-wheel drive. In the rainy season it can be impassible, and it’s recommended that you have a way to patch and inflate tires if needed. Did I mention that there is no cell service, and if a tow truck is needed, and you somehow are able to contact them, it could be over a thousand-dollar charge.

The payoff for all that risk is the dramatic view in a tranquil setting. No crowds, in fact, you might be the only one there. You can walk right up to the edge. The Toroweap website says to watch your step due to the “fragile biological soil crust”, but really you should watch your step due to the three thousand foot drop off to the Colorado River. It’s called slickrock for a reason!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get awesome adventure ideas to help plan your next vacation!

SUBSCRIBE

There is a campground there if you’re so inclined, it’s primitive with no electric or water, and you must reserve a backcountry permit through the National Park Service website.

Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, there has been a lot of traffic to Toroweap. It’s not theme park level crowded, but it’s enough for the National Park Service to restrict traffic. So now you have to obtain a Private Vehicle Day Permit, which is pretty easy, you can apply for one here. They also have a limit on how many vehicles in a group (the answer is 4), so adjust your group accordingly. Don’t be like Phil, who left a 1-star review because they wouldn’t let in his group of 9 vehicles.

There are also max people per group limits (11), and vehicle length limits (22 feet), and the cost per permit is $2.00. That’s just the fee to get there, another fee is charged for entry into the Overlook. You can use an America the Beautiful pass, or the entrance fee receipt from the Grand Canyon. If unsure, check at the park ranger office.

During monsoon season, July – September, the roads can get muddy and impassable, so be aware of the weather conditions before, during, and after, your visit. As was said above, it could be an expensive rainstorm if you get stuck.

Hiking at Toroweap Overlook

You could spend most of the afternoon just scrambling over rocks and taking in the views at Toroweap Overlook and be happy. If you want to explore the area more, there is hiking available.

There are two official hiking trails at Toroweap Overlook, one is a short 45-minute hike, and the other is a day hike. Shade is scarce and the terrain can be rough, so be sure to take plenty of water, and a good pair of hiking shoes. The trailheads are marked with signs and the trails have cairns dotted along the way.

Saddle Horse Loop Trail

A walk through a native plant garden leads you to fantastic views of the Colorado River 3,000 feet below. You’re able to walk right up to the edge of the canyon. The trail can be accessed near campground number 5.

Tuckup Trail

This easy to moderate 3-mile trail that was once a prospector’s path, takes you across slickrock and spits you out at Cove Canyon. Once there, listen for the Colorado River, you can actually hear it thousands of feet below while you’re enjoying the spectacular view. On your way there watch out for the cactuses that abound in the area, you probably don’t want to take a cactus spine in your foot home as a souvenir. Access this trail from campsite number 10.

No pets, bicycles, or vehicles are allowed on the trails, so leave Rusty and the Schwinn at home.

Camping at Toroweap Overlook

Camping at Toroweap Overlook is about as remote as you can get. No water or power, and the only facilities that you get are composting toilets and a picnic table.

There are nine small campsites available, and two vehicles are allowed per camp site. There is one large group campsite that allows up to four vehicles. Capacities are 1-6 people per small campsite and 7-11 people in the group campsite. The maximum length of vehicle allowed is 22 feet, so if you were envisioning four wheeling your 33′ Airstream to get there, think again.

Arrive to the campground by sunset, leave the charcoal grill, and firewood at home, it’s not allowed here. Pack out all trash, and 7 nights are the max stay per trip.

Backcountry permits for overnight stays and campground reservations are available online at recreation.gov. Permits must be purchased 5 days in advance of your stay, so don’t put it off until you get there, you might find yourself with nowhere to camp as permits cannot be purchased at Tuweep.

Read about more remote camping at another national park, this one is in a tropical setting. Dry Tortugas National Park is situated 78 miles from Key West and can only be accessed by seaplane or boat!

Getting to Toroweap Overlook

There are two different ways to get to Toroweap Overlook depending on if you’re coming from the east or the west.

If you’re coming from the North Rim, or Kanab, Utah, take the Sunshine Route. You will get on AZ 389 West, in Fredonia, AZ. 8 miles west of Fredonia take County 109 to County 5 to County 115. Once you get on County 109, sit back and buckle up, you’re starting on a 61-mile dirt road trip that ends at the Overlook.

If St George, Utah is your starting point, take UT-9 to UT 59 towards Colorado City, AZ. UT-59 turns into AZ-389 once you get into Arizona. Just east of Colorado City, you will turn right onto County 5, turn onto County 115 just after Broad Canyon, take 115 to the Overlook. Warning about this route, it’s known as the Clayhole Route and it’s impassable when it’s wet.

These routes probably sound confusing, but Google can get you there, just be sure to download the map before you get out of cell phone range.

It’s a challenge to get to Toroweap Overlook, it is a full day trip no matter which way you are coming from, but the payoff in views and experiences is well worth it.

The post Toroweap Overlook: Dramatic Views of the Grand Canyon North Rim appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.

Wait, What? One of the most dangerous trails in the US is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? “What special equipment do I need? Am I going to be stepping over bodies to get to the falls like they do to get to the top of Mt. Everest?” I can hear you stammering. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered, and I’ll reveal the secret to surviving at the end of this post.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States, which is good because it’s also the most visited national park. At over 500,000 acres it offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and all the other outdoor adventures that you crave. It contains 10 campgrounds, and 850 miles of trails and unpaved roads, of which 70 miles are the Appalachian Trail. All that and it straddles two states.

Getting through the park is relatively easy. For how big the park is there is pretty much only one road in the park: the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the north you enter through Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you’re coming from the south, you enter the park near Cherokee, North Carolina. If you travel the entire length of the road, you’ll cross over the Newfound Gap. If you find yourself there, take the time to hike to Clingmans Dome.

Driving through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is a two-lane adventure of winding roads, elevation gains and losses, and wildlife sightseeing. You’ll cross numerous creeks and traverse multiple switchbacks. All while witnessing breathtaking scenery.

The drive is so beautiful and relaxing it might even take you 30 minutes before you realize that your phone has no signal, so you better have downloaded your maps before you get to the entrance of the park (tire screeching sound). Oh, I can hear your feverish breathing, person who grew up way too attached to your phone. Take some deep breaths. Better? It’s going to be alright; I swear. I’ll even give you a tip so that you can get your phone fix.

Camping

Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains is easy. They offer backcountry campsites, frontcountry campsites, horse camps, and group campsites.

Make sure that you have everything you need for camping by reading this nifty article here.

Backcountry

Just like the name suggests, you’ll need to backpack several miles to get to these campsites and they are scattered throughout the park. There is a permit needed to camp here, you’ll also need to be on the lookout for bears.

For more information contact the Backcountry Information Office (unfortunately for the Millennials and Gen z they prefer phone calls) at (865) 436-1297.

Frontcountry

There are 10 frontcountry campsites that accommodate tents and RV’s. These are your traditional campsites where you drive your car to your space and pitch your tent or park your RV. They have cold running water and flush toilets. If you’re in the mood to shower, you’re out of luck, unless you brought your camp shower as there are no showers. As long as we’re on the “not available” subject, no electric or water hook ups either for you RV’ers. They do have 5-amp outlets for medical purposes at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont.

Some campsites allow generators, it tells you on the campsite selection (linked above) which ones do.

Group Campsites

If the size of your party is 7 to 30 and you actually want to camp near them, there are a number of campsites that are available specifically for bigger groups. Check them out here for sizes, pricing, and dates.

Horse Camps

Taking Silver and Trigger camping with you? No problem, just make your advance reservations here. Six people and four horses max per campsite.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get awesome adventure ideas to help plan your next vacation!

SUBSCRIBE

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campground Rules

As stated above, there are no electrical or water hook ups in the park.

Firewood

If you’re thinking of bringing that termite infested firewood that you’ve had in your backyard for the last five years, forget it. Only heat-treated firewood is allowed in this park. Don’t fear, you can buy approved firewood at the stores in and around the park. You can also burn any dead wood that’s on the ground. So, when the kids are too hyped up on nature and sugar, you can send them on a firewood quest.

Pets

Pets are allowed in the campgrounds, keep them on a 6′ maximum leash. Dogs are only allowed on two trails in the park, the Gatlinburg Trail, and the Oconaluftee River Trail. They don’t want you leaving them in your car alone while you’re gone either.

Generators

They are only allowed in some areas. You can’t run them between 8 PM and 8 AM. I see your eyes light up “Mr. Loophole Finder”, no idling of engines either, especially in generator prohibited areas.

Prohibited Items

No fireworks, chainsaws, or traps allowed. So, you need to put your authentic skunk hat idea back on the shelf where it belongs.

Looking for someplace warm to camp in the winter, Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys is the place for you then!

Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove campground sits at an elevation of 1,713 feet. It’s open year-round, has a total of 159 campsites, depending on the season, and allows RV’s and tents. Certain sections allow generator use also. There’s a convenient camp store at the entrance that’s stocked with the requisite camp site items like big matches, ice, and firewood. Or pretty much any other necessity you left at home that you told your spouse you would definitely would not forget.

You won’t forget anything when you download our free handy camping gear list here. Bonus, it’s printable!

Flush toilets and cold water are all the rage here, so you’re good on that front. But. They. Don’t. Have. Cell. Service. I know, right, you toughed it out on the drive here without internet, but how’re you going to upload all those pictures of the cute squirrels in your campsite to the gram? Well, luckily for you the campgrounds are close to a local town with a great attraction. More on this next.

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tuckaleechee Caverns is just outside the north entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, TN. It’s a quick 14-minute trip from Cades Cove. As you’re traveling there, you can stop and get your internet fix and upload those aforementioned pics of the squirrels. Now are you happy?

The caverns have a great history. Forming 20-30 million years ago, they were opened to the public in 1953. The tour lasts about 1.5 – 2 hours. Don’t worry, you’re not crawling through tiny passages, you’re standing up the whole time. It’s a 1.25-mile hike and you’ll see fantastic formations the whole journey.

The two main features of the cave are the “Big Room”, which is almost as big as a football field and “Silverfalls”, a double waterfall with a drop of 210 feet. The Big Room is big to say the least. The ceiling is 150 feet high! While Silverfalls doesn’t have the volume of the big waterfalls, it makes up for it with a drop that is so high that you can’t even see the top.

The cavern is open from March until November. Tickets are $22.00 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-11. Don’t forget to add the sales tax.

If you’ve never been in a cave before, or you’re an amateur spelunker, you don’t want to pass up Tuckaleechee Caverns.

Cades Cove Loop

There is an 11-mile one way loop through the cove. The road runs through the valley surrounded by mountains, and features 18th century buildings including churches, log cabins, barns, and even a working gristmill. It’s about a 2 – 4-hour drive, depending on traffic. You can also stop and explore the buildings. Bonus, there’s a self-guided tour book available at the entrance to answer all your questions. And to answer your first question, yes, it costs money, but it’s inexpensive.

This is also your chance to see some of the wildlife that the park has to offer. The most commonly seen animal is the white-tailed deer. Keep an eye out for black bears, turkeys, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, ground hogs, and other ferocious animals.

On Wednesdays from May through September the loop is vehicle free. So, bring your bike or plan a hike and you don’t have to worry about getting hit by a car. If you’re camping you can still get in and out of campgrounds with a vehicle.

You can access many trails from the Cades Cove loop, including trails to “good ol” Rockytop, Thunderhead Mountain, and of course we can’t forget, one of the most dangerous trails in the U.S., Abrams Falls.

Abrams Falls Trail in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You get to the Abrams Falls trailhead from the Cades Cove loop. It’s almost right at the halfway point of the loop and right before the visitor center. There’s a good-sized parking lot for your vehicle, one of the bigger ones in the park. Walk through the grassy field and cross the bridge at the end of the parking lot and turn left. On a side note, no pets or bicycles are allowed on the trail.

This is where the Abrams Falls Trail begins. The trail named by Backpacker Magazine as one of the 10 most dangerous trails in the U.S. The trail is rated a moderate to difficult trek. It is a five-mile round trip hike that takes about 3-5 hours, it has an elevation gain of 340 feet, and it features a spectacular 20-foot waterfall.

After you cross the bridge, you follow Abrams Creek for most of the hike. There are multiple ridges that you ascend and descend along with several rustic bridges. The ridges are riddled with rocks in the path making the hike a little difficult but nothing too bad, you’ll want to wear a good pair of hiking shoes. Natural growth on the trail includes pine trees, oak trees, along with plenty of hemlock, and rhododendron.

About two miles into the hike, you’ll hit the peak at an elevation of 2,000 feet. You’ll know you’re there when you see a bunch of future “influencers” latching onto the elusive cell service. Follow the trail down for about a half mile and you’ll come upon the falls. There are many great places to get pictures from, and it’s a great place to sit and relax before the hike back.

You can continue on the path and there are backcountry campsites a little further down the trail if that’s your thing.

“But Get Out and Adventure,” you say. “Surely you’re glossing over something; I don’t see anything dangerous here!” Well, my eagle eye reader, the danger isn’t in the trail, it’s in the hiker.

The Secret to Surviving

And here’s the secret to surviving not only the Abrams Falls Trail, but also many other things in life. DON’T BE A MORON. That’s it. That’s all you need. 29 water related deaths have occurred on this trail since 1971. Hikers get in the water and get sucked in under the falls and drown. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the falls from the safety of the shore. This is a great hike, and it should never end in death.

This is just scratching the surface of the awesomeness of The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. You could spend years there and not see and do everything in and around the park. But make a point to take at least one trip to discover this gem.

The post Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Easy Access to Camping, Caverns, and Hiking One of the Most Dangerous Trails in the US. appeared first on Get Out and Adventure.