Where to stay: For rustic, dog-friendly, in-park lodging, Big Meadows Lodge is a historic favorite that’s right on Skyline Drive. In nearby Huntley, Glen Gordon Lodge offers old-world quarters in a pastoral setting. Check out our comprehensive lodging guide for more options on where to stay in Shenandoah.
Go for: Mountainous hiking trails, scenic drives, wildlife photography
As the most visited park in the US, Great Smoky Mountains earns its reputation thanks to wilderness hiking paths, fiery fall foliage, roaring waterfalls, and a view-studded scenic drive. Though the park is free to enter, a new parking tag system aims to make recreation easier for the roughly 12 million folks who visit each year.
Where to stay: There are a myriad of bucolic gateway towns that will spoil you for choice. I recommend the homey cabins of The Swag, as well as the second-to-none dining and service at Blackberry Farm.
