Picnicking is one of the very best ways to enjoy all of the natural beauty in the Smoky Mountains! There is nothing better than digging into a delicious sandwich as you take in the breathtaking scenery all around you. To help you plan the perfect lunch, Alpine Chalet Rentals has put together a guide to the top three Smoky Mountain picnic areas:
1. Cades Cove Picnic Area
About 2 million people visit Cades Cove each year, and it’s easy to see why! This breathtaking valley is home to historic cabins from the 1800s, gorgeous mountain scenery, and superb wildlife viewing. The Cades Cove picnic area is located just before the entrance to the valley’s loop road. Guests will find 81 picnic tables, potable water, and restrooms. For lunch, consider stopping by the campground store to pick up burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. The great thing about picnicking at this incredibly scenic campground is that once you finish your meal, you can drive right over to the Cades Cove loop road and enjoy an afternoon of fun in one of the national park’s most popular areas.
2. Mynatt Park
Mynatt Park is a great place for a picnic if you’re looking to stay close to downtown Gatlinburg. Located off of Historic Nature Trail, this beautiful park is just minutes away from The Strip. If you plan on having lunch at Mynatt Park, we suggest picking up some sandwiches from Parton’s Deli. This great restaurant is famous for its mouthwatering subs, chili dogs, deviled eggs, and pound cake.
Once you have your food, head over to Mynatt Park and find the perfect spot to dine. Whether you eat at a picnic table, under a shady tree, or beside the stream, you will love relaxing at this serene park. After your lunch, your family can take advantage of the park’s tennis courts, basketball court, baseball field, horseshoe pit, and playground. Mynatt Park also has a few grills, so you can prepare some burgers if you would prefer not to buy lunch in town.
(See Also: 4 of the Best Smoky Mountain Attractions Off the Beaten Path)
3. Metcalf Bottoms
Metcalf Bottoms is one of the very best Smoky Mountain picnic areas! Guests will find this special spot just minutes from the Wears Valley entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What sets Metcalf Bottoms apart from the rest is its stellar location along the Little River. This wonderful river has made Metcalf Bottoms a very popular place for fly fishing and tubing.
The Metcalf Bottoms picnic pavilion has everything you need for an excellent meal in the great outdoors, including tables and benches, charcoal grills, covered seating, water fountains, bathrooms, and ample parking. If you would like to explore the area a bit after your meal, you can enjoy a hike to the Little Greenbrier School, a log schoolhouse built in the late 1800s by John Walker, and the Walker Sisters Place, an historic homestead where John Walker’s six unmarried daughters lived for decades.
When you stay with Alpine Chalet Rentals, you will be near all of these fantastic Smoky Mountain picnic areas. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 12 bedroom cabins, we are guaranteed to have the perfect place to stay for your getaway. To start planning your vacation, browse our selection of Smoky Mountain cabins!
