What to Pack for a Great Smoky Mountains Park Vacation
How do you pack for the nation’s most visited park? Here are the top 13 items to bring to the park.
Tori Peglar
Tori is the co-brand and content director of National Park Trips Media. She specializes in writing inspiring national park travelogues, foodie adventures and personal, heartfelt stories of people who shape our culture.
In 2018, Tori was recognized for her work with National Park Journal, winning three first-place awards for the Grand Canyon edition of the magazine. Later the same year, Tori was honored as a Folio: 100, a list of the top innovators, entrepreneurial thinkers, and industry-disruptors in magazine media.
Before joining National Park Trips Media, Tori worked for her alma mater as director of marketing for the CU-Boulder Alumni Association, developing and executing campaigns for national and local events and programs. She led an award-winning creative team of six and served as editor of the Coloradan magazine, which won two first-place national awards in 2011 and 2014 for magazine excellence, as well as two regional first-place awards and a second-place award in 2011-14.
Tori's travels have taken her across the globe and she has lived in Hong Kong, Kenya, Ecuador and Nepal. Some of her favorite national park experiences are hiking the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, taking the trail down to the Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point, snowshoeing to Lone Star Geyser in Yellowstone and doing Rocky Mountain's East Inlet Trail with her family. When she's not in search of a story, she loves spending time with her family and skiing, running, biking, backpacking and traveling.
Dollywood’s Roots in the Great Smokies
The contrast between her childhood home and her sprawling Dollywood complex is a reminder that the biggest thrills are when we take large leaps to follow our dreams, no matter how long the road.
5 Reasons Why You Should Glamp at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Short for “glamorous camping,” stay here to experience nature in tents equipped with the creature comforts of home near Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Mammoth Cave National Park, a Half-Day Drive from Great Smoky
Steer away from the crowds at America’s most visited national park by going underground in nearby Kentucky.
Narrated Driving Tour App by Gypsy Guide
Wish you had a guide while touring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome? Download the GyPSy Guide App.
Water Safety in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Water is everywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although the waterfalls and streams are beautiful, these waters can also be dangerous.
Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip
Explore Chicago's architecture, Louisville's underground, and Nashville's music before making base camp at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Which Trail Should I Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Options for trails and what to expect on the hike, from a moderate walk to a waterfall to a strenuous hike to the top of a mountain.
10 Best Things to Do on a Great Smoky Mountains Vacation
Don’t leave the park without ticking off at least one of these top ten Smokies to-dos including historic sites, grand overlooks, wildlife, and waterfalls.
Why Glamping is Great for Families
Elevate your national park vacation when you and your family spend the night at a glamping camp.
Why Glamping is Great for Non-Campers
Want to sleep under the stars but skip sleeping bags, dirt and pit toilets? Try glamping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Rent an RV and Get Outdoorsy
Explore the country’s best national parks in style in a camper van, trailer or RV.
Where to Camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Personalized guide to help you decide where to spend the night, from car camping paradise and remote backcountry sites to a slice of RV heaven.
Message in a Bottle
Jon Fox of EcoVessel talks about why he launched his water bottle company and how EcoVessel is making a difference in the lives of school-aged children all over the world.
