While Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have earned a worldwide reputation as the places to stay for a Smoky Mountain vacation, the southern side of the huge national park also offers a string of tourist towns. Here along the southern border of America's most popular park, North Carolina vacation destinations are spread out a little further and don't offer the huge number of touristy attractions as you would see in Tennessee.
   The community of Cherokee, noted for its gambling, is the closest place to enter the southern main park road through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Just minutes away, the traffic in this popular tourist town should not be as hectic since its road widening project. After summer everyone can imagine that autumn is the next popular season and the forests here in the mountains and foothills seldom disappoint.
   Area waterfalls are also a big attraction. Although not as full-flowing during the autumn season, the colorful foliage adds plenty of splendor. One of the tallest falls in the area is Mingo Falls, just a short drive from Cherokee. In order to see it you'll have to do a little footwork, tackling a flight of stairs has every sightseers climbing up 160 steps. Called Big Bear Falls in the Cherokee language, a footbridge crosses over at the base of the waterfall where a grand view lies right before you. Most impressive after a rainstorm, the 120 foot falls is one that should not be missed.

     Area Map