Admission free weekends at Great Smoky Mountains national park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This weekend, July 18th-19th, and the weekend of August 15th-16th, you can get into America's national parks for free! Cincinnati is just half a day's drive to the nation's most popular national park- The Great Smoky Mountains, located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountain chain.

With so much to see, it helps to have a helpful guide to ensure you make the most of your time. Here are the top five things to do and see for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

HIKING- Of the 9 million visitors to the park each year, few wander farther than a quarter of a mile from their car. Hiking is thus the number one way to avoid the crowds and seek solitude. With more than 800 miles of trail within the park's boundaries, there are trails for all age and activity levels. If you're looking for a challenging hike, the climb to Clingman's Dome is well worth the effort. Not only do you get the best views in the park, but you also get a free lesson in the urgency of conservation. Another strenuous trail with spectacular views is the Chimney Tops. Try to get to these hikes early in the day or on weekdays to avoid sharing the trail.

WILDLIFE VIEWING- The Great Smokies are notorious for their high black bear population. Come for a visit, and there's a good chance you'll spot one due to the population of two bears per every square mile. The white-tailed deer is another popular animal you'll encounter. If you're lucky, you may even see some elk, which were reintroduced to the park in 2001. Other resident wildlife include the red squirrel, eastern box turtle and coyote. (When viewing wildlife, please remember to keep a respectful distance and do your best not to disturb the animals. Feeding wildlife is against the law and can be dangerous for both you and the animal, so restrain yourself from handing out any food.)

CAMPING- The Smoky Mountains are prime spots for setting up tent and boasts 10 campgrounds to choose from. There are no showers or electrical hook-ups, but running water and flush toilets are provided at each. The most popular campgrounds- Cades Cove, Elkmont, Smokemont and Cosby- require reservation if you plan on camping in the summer months. Campsites range from $14-$20 per night and provide the perfect wilderness setting for you and your family to enjoy. For those more adventurous, a night in the backcountry is a must.

WATERFALLS- Nearly every stream and river that runs throughout the Great Smoky Mountains boasts a waterfall or small cascade of some kind. Some of these may be very crowded at times, so remember when you're looking that there are always more right around the bend. Since the park receives ample rainfall each year and has many steep elevation changes, it is the perfect equation for the making of waterfalls.If you don't have much time, you won't want to miss the magic of the most popular falls- Abram, Grotto, Laurel and Rainbow.

HISTORIC LODGINGS- The GSMNP is unique in the fact that it was populated for a long period before becoming a national park. Because of this, there are many historical remains scattered throughout the park, the most notable of which is Cades Cove. A tour of these historical lodgings gives insight on the lives of those who once roamed the mountain lands. Most of the buildings here date back to the late 19th and early 20th century.