Imagine waking up to mist rolling through the valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, slipping on slippers, and stepping out onto a porch with a warm cup of coffee in hand.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park (Smokies) is probably on top of anyone’s list whenever they’re thinking about a nature trip, going on a hike, or climbing the mountains. Well, at least it was ...

GETTING THERE: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about 500 miles from Washington. Take Interstate 66 west to I-81 south, I-40 east, U.S. Route 321 south to Gatlinburg, then U.S. Route 441 south.

With over 325 million visitors in recent years, U.S. National Parks are top destinations. Travelers can see iconic landscapes ...