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Posted by Jon Hoffman in Smoky Mountains
You'll never run out of fresh things to see and do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This popular park covers more than 800 square miles, so it offers endless opportunities to discover new sights and scenes, including some hidden gems you may not have heard of before.
So, if you want to escape the crowds this summer, why not veer off the well-trod trail and explore some less-traveled paths? Here are a few suggestions.
How would you like an eerie glimpse into a storied time when wealthy elites flocked to the Smokies to fish, hunt, and frolic amid magnificent wilderness?
Come to the Elkmont Ghost Town, located south of Gatlinburg along the Elkmont Nature Trail.
The story begins in the 1840s, when intrepid pioneers settled a forested area known as Little River. Within a few years this remote settlement became a bustling logging camp. Then, in 1901, Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased 86,000 acres of premium local land. Next, he built a railroad to transport logs to his company's sawmill.
That's when the transformation began.
Townsend's railroad opened up Little River to a much wider public. Soon wealthy businessmen – from Knoxville and beyond – were building luxury cabins all around the area.
Then, in 1934, the National Park was established. Little River/Elkmont became part of the park – and the town's vacation residents sold and abandoned their properties. Over 70 vacant buildings became overgrown with forest vegetation. Eventually the National Park Service demolished most of these structures. But 19 still remain standing in what is now Elkmont's Historic District. Restored by the National Park Service, these legendary cabins are open to the public today.
Visit anytime to explore intact historic structures, including the iconic Levi Trentham Cabin, one of the oldest buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a haunting reminder of a magical bygone era.
While you're in the area, don't miss the Elkmont Troll Bridge, a mossy stone bridge located near the Elkmont cabins. It's like something out of a fairytale.
Speaking of fairytales...you'll feel as if you've walked into one when you visit the House of the Fairies.
Originally part of a 1920s estate, this moss-covered stone structure once served as an early springhouse – a pre-electric edifice utilizing cold spring water for refrigeration. Today it's an eerily beautiful building, shrouded in moss and surrounded by stunning scenery.
With the founding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, many old-time families were displaced. But the Walker sisters received a special dispensation to remain in their rustic homestead.
As the daughters of Civil War veteran John N. Walker, these five unmarried sisters (originally six) had lived off their inherited land for decades – farming, gardening, spinning, weaving, raising livestock, and maintaining extensive orchards. But once the National Park took over, they had to find new means of livelihood. So, they became unofficial park ambassadors, greeting visitors and selling homemade goods such as fried apple pies, crocheted doilies, and children's toys.
The last Walker sister died in the 1960s. Today their intact cabin is open to the public. With two stories and three spacious rooms, it houses rustic stone fireplaces, handmade shelving, and more. Peek inside for a fascinating glimpse into the colorful lives of self-sufficient Appalachian settlers.
You'll find many other hidden gems in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, from Gatlinburg's Ogle Tub Mill to Townsend's Tuckaleechee Caverns. Contact Volunteer Cabin Rentals today to reserve your luxury cabin close to all these amazing sites.
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