Are you on the hunt for a gorgeous mountain getaway? If so, then two of the most iconic mountainous destinations in the United States that should be on your radar are the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Both located in Appalachia, these mountain ranges offer gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife, and a whole host of outdoor activities. But did you know that while they are in the same region, these two mountain ranges have some pretty distinct characteristics? In fact, we’d say that the differences between these two are enough so as that different types of travelers will find one or the other significantly more appealing to them. The following is a breakdown of the big differences and characteristics of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains to better help you choose the right mountain destination for you and your traveling group:
Visitor Statistics: Blending Popularity with Crowds
Great Smoky Mountains | The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a federally protected mountain range that is part of the National Park Service. Many people are often surprised that it’s this park and not Yellowstone that is the most visited of all the national parks in the country with a whopping 12 million visitors each year. This despite the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being less than 1/4 the size of Yellowstone! This big popularity is undoubtedly due to a nice combination of convenient location, free general entry, and gorgeous, easily accessible sights.
Blue Ridge Mountains | The Blue Ridge Mountains is a vast mountain range that extends nearly 600 miles across eight states. It gets a bit more visitors across its many different parks and hiking trails, with an estimated 15 million people stopping along the Blue Ridge Parkway every year. However, that amount is spread out across its massive area. A better direct comparison of tourist size to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be a look at the popular Shenandoah National Park within the mountain range which, while very gorgeous, sees only about 1.5 million visitors every year.
What this comparison shows is that if you are a person who wants to go out on a trail with little interaction, then you probably want to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains and its parks like Shenandoah National Park. On the other hand, if you don’t mind crowds but do want to be close to area attractions (think Pigeon Forge) and want a lot to see and do within a small area, then the Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be at the top of your list!
Big Features: Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wonderful Views
For Waterfalls: Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Both these mountainous areas feature gorgeous waterfalls and wonderful creeks to sit alongside. However, we don’t know if there’s any other park in the world that can beat the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when it comes to sheer number and variety of easily accessible waterfalls. Waterfalls like Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls are located just off of the main roadway, Newfound Gap Road, that cuts through the park. Here, you will find easy trails, including paved ones, that are great for those with accessibility or patience issues (think young kids). Of course, there are also some nice moderate hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for those up for a longer waterfall hike.
For Wildflowers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the nickname of the “Wildflower National Park”? It’s earned such a great title due to over 1,500 species of plants flowering here every year. From spring to fall, you are going to see a nice array of blooms and colors with flowers like violets and trillium across places like Cades Cove. Naturally, the Blue Ridge Mountains also is home many beautiful flora, including most of the same species as the Great Smokies, but it doesn’t quite have the same diversity.
For Wonderful Views: Blue Ridge Mountains | For massive and gorgeous mountain vistas, you’ve got to go to the Blue Ridge Mountains. In this mountain range, you will find some of the best panoramic views on the East Coast, such as atop Mount Mitchell, the highest peak on this side of the Mississippi River. Of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also quite beautiful, but it is overall much denser and compact, making good epic views from within the park a bit tougher to find (there are some more moderate hiking trails you’ll need to take to see such).
Fees & Parking
One of the most attractive features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is that it is completely free to enter besides a small $5 parking fee for your vehicle. In fact, having the Newfound Gap Road be kept free and accessible to through traffic was one of the stipulations for the government acquiring the land. Of course, the trade-off to that is that parking can be a bit rough because everyone else also loves how accessible it is!
The Blue Ridge Mountains also has plenty of free spots to visit, including plenty of scenic pullouts along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, some of the more popular parks within this region, such as the aforementioned Shenandoah National Park, do have a modest entrance fee.
Making the Right Choice For You
We hope this guide is helpful for you as you make the decision on which park to visit. Of course, whether you choose the Great Smoky Mountains National Park because you have a lot of toddlers in tow and want something accessible, or you go for the Blue Ridge Mountains for a more backwoods trail adventure, we’re sure that you and your traveling partners will enjoy your visit. Just make sure to check out our other pages to expand your vacation with quality lodging and the best area eats!
