When staying at the Greenbrier Campground, one of the many benefits is the nearby entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Although this entrance is officially known as the Greenbrier entrance, many folks refer to it as “the local’s entrance into the park” because it is off the beaten path to most visitors. The really great news is that there are tons of fantastic activities to enjoy near this area of the park! Here are the top 3 fun things to do at the Greenbrier Smoky Mountains entrance:
1. View the Wildflowers
If you are planning a visit to the Smokies during the spring months, you have the unique opportunity to view more than 1,500 types of wildflowers and flowering plants! The Greenbrier section of the park is particularly renowned for its wildflower displays, including the popular mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. If you are driving, follow the road to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead for great wildflower viewing from your car. If you prefer to hike, follow the signs to the Porters Creek Trail where you can enjoy gorgeous displays of wildflowers along the first 1.5 miles of the trail. Another recommended trail in the area with excellent wildflower viewing is the Ramsey Cascades trail.
2. Cycle in the Park
If you enjoy cycling, be sure to bring your bicycle along with you to the Greenbrier Campground! You can easily bike the short distance from our campground to the Greenbrier Smoky Mountains entrance. Once inside the park, you can bike along six miles of mostly gravel road that follow the river and tributaries into the upper Greenbrier area. This is a pleasant area for bikers as there are very few cars on the road and the scenery is breathtaking! Although cycling is permitted on the Greenbrier roads, just keep in mind that it is prohibited on all trails. When you return to our campground after your bike ride, you can look forward to relaxing at your campsite or cooling off in our Flint Rock swimming hole!
3. Trout Fishing
Another fun thing to do near the Greenbrier entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park is trout fishing! You can enjoy trout fishing throughout the year so you can even visit when the Greenbrier Campground is closed for the season. The only requirements are that anglers need to possess either a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. If you prefer to fish closer to your campsite, we also offer trout fishing at our campground with a license! The Little Pigeon River runs around our property so this is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon with your fishing gear. After a full day of fishing, head back to your campsite for a barbeque dinner on the charcoal grill and spend the evening by the firepit as you kick back under the stars!
Check out all of the details about our campground in the Smokies today to plan your camping adventure near the Greenbrier Smoky Mountains entrance! We look forward to your stay at the Greenbrier Campground!
