It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. For the detail oriented folks, here is the link to know all about it. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has so much to offer and we advise taking at least three days to make the trip, but even then, it will still be impossible to explore everything on this route. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Churchill Downs officially opened in 1875, but the sport of horse racing can be traced back to 1789 in Kentucky. Next day morning we started after the breakfast and enjoyed driving on the beautiful highway that connects kentucky with Smokey Mountains, and passes through valleys and hills full of life. After making the journey to reach the Smokies, which in itself is an excellent road trip, make the most of this magical mountain wonderland by taking an excursion through the park to fully explore this magnificent landscape. Since you have some time on your way down, you might consider taking I-65 through KY. Re: Chicago to Naples Fl drive Music fans must check out the famous Grand Ole Opry House. The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this outdoor concert venue has 4,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 7,000 people on the Great Lawn. Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. If you take the fastest route, and all factors remain constant, the road trip from Chicago to Asheville will take you about 10 hours and 05 minutes. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. With the help of car insurance comparison and broker app with help from Jerry The hotel is conveniently located in Whiskey Row close to the city's main attractions. From here, head south and join Interstate 75 where you will arrive at Lexington, where our main route continues. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). After doing an availability search for your desired vacation date, our site will produce a list of available cabins. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the towers feature water flowing out of an outlet, which gives the illusion that water is pouring out of the mouths of the faces appearing on each tower. Given the distance between Chicago and Miami, the route is filled with amazing tourist destinations, and you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay on your overnight stops. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Smoky Mountains easy. This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport is the direct flight which takes 4h 3m. Gatlinburg, Tenn, is the busiest, most touristy gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. View ListTo see all of your favorite rentals on one page, simply click "view list". Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. If you're looking for some unique food to try along the way, Skyline Chili is a fast casual restaurant chain that's only based in the Ohio River valley. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Both known for German heritage. 180 miles into your journey, this vibrant city is a car enthusiast's dream. Ghoomaphirna is all about passion for travel and road trips. Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? But kids had the most fun as they were allowed to go on zipline. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. Chicago may be the best city in America to take road trips from, so there are endless possibilities for car vacations. You'll soon arrive at Bryson City, a peaceful mountain town, where you can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad or simply enjoy the local crafts and cuisine on offer in downtown Bryson. Indiana area. Road Trip from Chicago to The Great Smoky Mountains, Snow Tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Best Spring Break Road Trips from Chicago, Road Trip from Chicago during historic Winter Storm, Road Trip from Chicago to Pensacola and Florida panhandle, Disney World Lightning Lanes + Tips and Park Planning Strategy, https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47902110', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg and the suggestions you have given for Berea and the Daniel Boone National Forest are really interesting for us. Your email address will not be published. The quickest route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 580 miles and takes 8 hours and 50 minutes without accounting for any pit stops or detours you might want to make on your way. Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Rich in cultural and natural history, it is well worth stopping off to explore. If you are into historical hotels, the Boone Tavern Inn and Restaurant would be worth a stop. Cummins Waterfall This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous, Tip:Smoky has a plethora of hiking options and finding the right one could be a stretch. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. I simply put in directions to Waze but I would love a better understanding of current traveling conditions and tips from people that have taken this journey or familiar with the area. Look for the tree signs around the park with QR codes and web addresses. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. . Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Please be patient, this may take a minute. Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. Stretch your legs on the .5-mile observation trail that is 9.6 miles from the start of the parkway. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. Stay At 160 miles, this extension to the trip should take a little under 4 hours and 30 minutes, but there will be countless opportunities to stop and admire the stunning mountain vistas and the many fantastic places you will pass along the way. :). Nashville has its own replica of the Parthenon at the 132-acre Centennial Park and Gardens, which is located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University. From Chicago, you will drive along the shores of Lake Michigan on Interstate 90 E until you reach Exit 17 and merge onto Interstate 65 S to Indianapolis. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Hmm, re maui#1 - going to a minor league ballpark without watching a game, an abandoned brewery with no tours or tastings, and watching potatoes get unloaded. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. Once you get to Indy you really have two options: I-65S through Louisville or I-74E through/around Cinci and then south. The population was 1,406 at the 2010 census, down from 1,427 in 2000. Stop at a visitor center in Cades Cove or at the Mountain Farm Museum to find . We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. Longer trips (Over 8 hours each way) While a drive of this length probably won't suit spring breakers with young families, this is a great time to take an adventure with older children or to hit the road with a group of friends. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. Your road trip will start by the shores of the calming turquoise blue waters of Lake Michigan, and then on to Indianapolis where you can then take our recommended route to Lexington or a detour to Cincinnati, which will add 20 miles and about an hour to your trip. The museum has many exhibits, including robots, science puzzles, timeline of atomic discoveries,a display devoted to nuclear weapons and the Y-12 Plant, and a solar energy demonstration project. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. The elevation of Sun Valley (at the Lodge) is 5920ft above sea level. You can also catch up on equestrian history at the the Kentucky Derby Museum. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. 1. While in the Richmond KY area, check out the new Buc-ees that just opened. If you want to enjoy a Smoky Mountains road trip on your drive from Chicago, be sure to check out some of the top sights along the way! https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Smoky Mountains is 1h behind Chicago. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains without a car is to train and bus which takes 42h 55m and costs $200-$290. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, (be sure to check out the museums dedicated to both), this lively city also features the fantastic Georgia Aquarium, some fabulous restaurants, and terrific nightlife. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. Leaving Pigeon Forge, take the US-321 south and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains as you make the short 8-mile journey to Gatlinburg. Most of the folks in our raft had little to no experience as well and this trip was a great way to expose them to the world of white-water rafting. Leaving Louisville, take the Interstate 64 E into the heart of Bluegrass Country, and after 80 miles, you will arrive at Lexington. Only a couple are toll free. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Route 66 - cross-country USA road trip. Also has anyone stayed in Lexington, KY is it safe for an overnight visit Can anyone please shed light into which route can be best for us to take to avoid the smoky mountains but not added hours to our travel time.Thank you!!! By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Boise (BOI), Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Salt Lake City, Take the bus from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Take the bus from Twin Falls to Ketchum, ID, Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station. customize this trip Day 1 11:00 am start in Chicago drive for about 2.5 hours 1:41 pm Crawfordsville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:41 pm drive for about 2.5 hours 5:00 pm Sellersburg (Indiana) Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. While in the park, see videos of different Nashville music artists talking about trees, how to take care of them and why they are important. Advance booking of Smoky Mountain cabin rentalswas the best decision in this trip, as we got a beautiful rental property on the hill overlooking mountains and the valleys. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. It comes in very handy. A road trip from Chicago to Miami is an epic north-to-south adventure. We did the following in a 4 day trip: rafting at Lower Pigeon River; hiking at Laurel Falls; visiting Cades Cove, Gatlinburg downtown including Skylift and The Little River Scenic Drive. Take in the great outdoors and stretch your legs with a trail walk, or visit the Wild Bear Falls Water Park. Chicago - the starting point of Route 66. Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One of many Smokey overlooks with panoramic views. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. We choose this because of the easy length (2 miles) and prospects of seeing bear (which did not happen ). Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains area. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. Both with directions , distance calculation and estimated travel time, all described in the route planner. A ride on the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster will appeal to thrill-seekers, dropping through lush forest landscape, and taking in the awesome mountain views as you hurtle down the track. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? From here you are just 18 miles from Maryville in Blount County, one of the gateway counties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entertaining guides bring you deep into the cave for an up to 2.5-hour tour, explaining the geology and history of the cavern. This part of the route is a hidden gem, as Foothills Parkway is a section of the national park that has become almost forgotten, and it's easy to see why the locals want to keep it a secret. Sign up for our newsletter! If you saw the 1975 movie Nashville, youll recognize this iconic structure. Visit the Indianapolis Speedway Museum and take a tour of the Brickyard, host to the most exhilarating event in the motorsport calendar, the Indy 500. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. Your email address will not be published. 1. Required fields are marked *. Road trip loop from Chicago to the Carolinas. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. The incline was mostly easy but there were some tight spots as we neared the waterfall and the sign board reminded us of the lurking danger. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. We saw kids as young as 4 years in the rafts. There is also an abandoned Fallstaff Brewery on the east side of the City. Find Authentic Charm Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevierville, Nature and American History Collide in Greeneville, Tennessee. Theres few better ways to enjoy a hot summer day than to be on the water. 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. Most of the trip will be on the Interstate-65, a perfect road for such a journey. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. We had rafting reservation at Lower Pigeon River which was in jeopardy thanks to a chock-a-block jam in Gatlinburg. Your email address will not be published. Head east to Hilton Head. The joy of a road trip is having the freedom to take your time and explore, so plan accordingly to take in as many of the wonderful attractions en route as your schedule will allow for. Made with polished stainless steel, the sculpture features an arch that enables you to walk under it and see your contorted reflection in the steel walls. Other attractions include The Johnny Cash Museum, National Corvette Museum and the Nashville Flea Market (held the fourth weekend of every month). Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Next, stop by the mesmerizing Crown Fountain, which features the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents on two 250-foot glass towers, each one at the opposite end of a shallow reflecting pool. Geez, some people are easily amused. I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? Your email will not be provided to third parties. Making the trip in May will also appeal to sports fans, with both the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500 usually taking place at this time. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to train and bus which costs $200-$290 and takes 42h 55m. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The fastest route between Chicago and Miami covers a distance of around 1,385 miles, but we recommend extending the journey to include trips to Pigeon Forge and Montgomery which will add a further 450 miles to the trip. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is great! We did not see many vegetarian options there. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. This luxury 5-star hotel has a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, an excellent restaurant, and an onsite fitness center, so there is plenty to help you relax and unwind after your drive before hitting the town. Meet our new guest blogger! Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. . But we had plenty of time and so we decided to take a detour and check the Oakridge city and famous American Museum of Science and EnergyAMSE. To make it easier for your plan, we have compiled this list of our favorite attractions along the way: The beauty of a road trip from Chicago to Miami is that you can do it at any time of the year. Forgot to mention leaving Chicago around 4am on Saturday morning so baby can hopefully sleep for most part to Nashville Ill of course plan to stop a few times alone the way. Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in central Idaho, in the western United States. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. . Compare Favorites Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $220-$330 and takes 46h 9m. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. What makes Chicago one of the best cities to visit is that it has a cosmopolitan feel with none of the attitude of similar-sized cities on the coasts. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47804918', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg has a similar area so not sure if you want to check that out or not. We had one wish still left unfulfilled, which was to see a live bear in action and based on reviews, Cades Cove had the highest probability to see it happen. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. And you can now go glamping near Gatlinburg, Tenn. There are many places to stop between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains and you'll pass many cities and be spoilt for choice with accommodation options. River Tubing at The River Rat Main Outpost. I will post pictures when I come home for you to see! There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Additionally, it contains an archive of documents and Historical photographs. Take an architectural boat tour to get a strong sense of the citys past and present. Walk along sloped decks, see the grand staircase, touch an iceberg and witness hundreds of original artifacts. (Photo: Alamy) Your next stop on your Smoky Mountains family vacation is Sevierville, which lays claim to Dolly Parton and her eponymous family amusement park. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? It was almost 10:30 PM by the time we got off the Skylift and finding food was a huge pain at that time in Gatlinburg. The trip passes through nine states . Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. Jays Potato Chip factory. With 4 different families, and nomads from the age of one and half years to 35 years, it was truly a friends and family road trip. The mountain town of Pigeon Forge in eastern Tennessee is a must for fans of Dolly Parton, as it's where her Appalachian-themed Park Dollywood is located. Enjoy a unique dining experience in the stunning Sun Dial Restaurant, on the upper floors, offering unparalleled 360-degree views over the city. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. As a result, flying can be a cheaper, time-efficient way to get from Chicago to the Smokies. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? Oak Ridge was established in 1942 as a production site for the Manhattan Projectthe massive American, British, and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. The treeless Dollar caters primarily to beginner and lower intermediate skiers; the primary mountain for advanced skiers is Bald Mountain, or "Baldy", next to the city of Ketchum. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. We had planned to stop in Kentucky so we continuously drove till mid night to get to the hotel. Very safe. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. An important thing to know is the citys name is actually pronounced Luhlville by the locals and everyone else in Kentucky. The citys Market Square is a fantastic place to spend some time as the restaurants and shops lining the area are great. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. All along I-75 in KY is the Daniel Boone Nat'l. They are known for their handmade crafts and artwork. Road Trip Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. Chicago to Arches National Park, Utah | Road trip | GhoomnaPhirna, Chicago to Duluth | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Gorakhpur to Lumbini, Nepal | Roadtrip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Myrtle Beach | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. We started on Thursday evening before the long weekend, and we had threecars carrying the group of 12. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! It is highly trafficked with narrow lanes and sometimes you could be stuck behind hoards of cars so please plan at least couple of hours for the visit. A showcase of whos who in architecture, this interactive park is an adult playground. Prices start at $100USD per night. Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. Chooseyouractivities and places to visit. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. Theres also six underground zip lines that make up the worlds only fully underground zip line course. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. Enjoy classic scenic drives along Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. USA Gatlinburg. Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? Misty Morning at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park Photo: Jonathan Hill. Conversely, over the winter months, you might find that snow makes some of the areas around the national parks very difficult, and possibly cause road closures in the mountainous areas.