Blue Ridge Mountains vs. Smoky Mountains: Where to Vacation
Nestled in the eastern United States, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are iconic landscapes with breathtaking views, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. They are also rich in biodiversity and adventure, and both beckon to a regular stream of vacationers.
The Blue Ridge Mountains start in North Georgia, where you can explore the forests and waterfalls. In contrast, the Smoky Mountains straddle the Tennessee-North Carolina border and are just as captivating with their forests and wildlife.
So, it begs the question: Which is the best place to vacation, the Smoky Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains?
We’ll evaluate the views and atmosphere, dining and cultural experiences, and recreational activities. Plus, if you’re searching for a cabin with forests or waterfalls in your backyard, you can pick your perfect mountain cabin getaway with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals. Our cabins provide cozy accommodations and unrivaled access to the outdoors that nature lovers seek.
Scenic Views and Atmosphere
Blue Ridge Mountains
Photo Credit: Frank Kehren via Flickr CC2.0
The first battle we’ll tackle between the Smoky Mountains vs Blue Ridge Mountains is the scenic views and landscape with a diverse ecosystem including hardwood forest at a lower elevation and wildflowers, like trilliums, azaleas, and mountain laurels.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Blue Ridge Mountains start their ascent in North Georgia, where they’re tucked in snugly filled with National Forests, such as the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, with around 867,000 acres of land, including a portion of the Cohutta Wilderness, covering around 90 miles of hiking and backpacking trails (two of them follow the Jacks and Conasauga Rivers).
Brasstown Bald - Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway
Photo Credit: charles hester
About an hour's drive from Ellijay, GA, is a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains nestled in Towns County. Here, you’ll find Brasstown Bald, standing tall at an impressive altitude of 4,784 feet. This towering peak treats travelers with breathtaking vistas of the encompassing mountains and valleys. It’s truly awe-inspiring, and what's more, Brasstown Bald is a highlight along the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway.
Amicalola Falls
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Photo Credit: Marcus E Jones
Lastly, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to chase waterfall hikes – literally! - in the North Georgia region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Amicalola Falls cascades 729 feet down after a short hike.
Appalachian Trail
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Photo Credit: Jonathan A. Mauer
For the adrenaline junkies, you can hike a section of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia if you’re seeking a challenge to conquer miles and miles of rugged terrain. Did you know the Appalachian trail covers 14 states? It goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia up to West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York and ends up in Mount Katahdin in Maine, that’s approximately 2,200 miles!
Smoky Mountains
Now, onto one of the most visited National Parks, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where diversity is rich and amazing.
Alum Cave Trail - Cades Cove Visitor Center
Photo Credit: Joseph Creamer
Here, you can take a leisurely drive along the Newfound Gap Road and take a challenging hike at the Alum Cave Trail, leading you to the summit of Mount LeConte. There’s also touring Cades Cove, a popular destination in the Smokies. It is an 11-mile, one-way loop road circling the cove. Many hikes originate here, and it’s perfect for wildlife viewing, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and coyotes. You can check out more information about the Cades Cove Visitor Center from the National Park Service.
The Verdict: Blue Ridge Mountains
So, what sets these two mountain ranges apart? In this first battle between the Smoky Mountains vs Blue Ridge Mountains, it's all about the atmosphere you’re searching to enjoy.
The Blue Ridge Mountains offer you serene forests and waterfall properties, resulting in an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Meanwhile, the Smoky Mountains boast rugged terrain and adrenaline-pumping adventures, perfect for thrill-and-adrenaline seekers. It’s a close race, but we’re going with the mountains in the blue haze on this one.
Dining and Cultural Experience
Blue Ridge Mountains
Ellijay
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Photo Credit: Keith Madaris
You won’t go hungry during your stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia. Image this: historic downtown Ellijay lined with shops and eateries, or the quaint Blue Ridge with the perfect mix of old and new.
These small towns provide picture-perfect dining and cultural experiences. First, Ellijay is known as the Apple Capital of Georgia - no surprise there when you can visit one of the five apple orchards and the annual Georgia Apple Festival - and it was inhabited by the Cherokee people.
Blue Ridge
Photo Credit: blueridgemtnbbq
On the other hand, Blue Ridge is known for its artsy vibe, thanks to its art scene and galleries. There are also craft breweries and wineries, plus some of the best restaurants in the area! Whether it is artisanal coffee, American BBQ, bistros, or pizza pubs and taverns, you’ll have your pick of meals during your stay.
Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains offer a different dining and cultural experience as among the peaks, you can visit diners to taste the cuisine of the Appalachian mountains.
Appalachian Cuisine
Photo Credit: Shell Photo
Appalachian cuisine is quite interesting as it’s characterized by its simplicity and local/seasonal ingredients, such as pawpaws, pike, morel mushrooms, black walnuts, corn, beans, and wild greens.
Gatlinburg
Photo Credit: RFondren Photography
You can also indulge in Southern BBQ in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. Pigeon Forge enchants with its eclectic mix of family-owned diners and themed restaurants. You can opt for something simple and venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a classic picnic.
The Verdict: A Tie
As the battle between the Smoky Mountains vs Blue Ridge Mountains continues, you’ll find that both locations offer a diverse dining and cultural experience. With two completely unique offerings, it’s apples and oranges. This race was too close to call!
Hiking Trails, Biking, and Outdoor Activities
It’s a given that the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smoky Mountains have a great network of hiking trails, biking paths, and other types of outdoor activities. Let’s tackle each mountain rage.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Blood Mountain
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Photo Credit: VagrantDragon
The hiking trails in the North Georgia region of the Blue Ridge Mountains will take you through lush forests and waterfalls. You can take up a challenge at Blood Mountain - with an elevation of 4,458 feet, it’s the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail - or take an easy route like the Long Creek Falls, Long Branch Loop, or the Stanley Creek Loop trails. Without a doubt, these are some of the best hiking trails you’ll find in the area.
Mountain Biking
Photo Credit: Pinhed
Let’s not forget about mountain biking! With the rugged terrain of the Flat Creek Loop or Pinhoti 1, you’re bound to face lots of climbing and descending on your bike while having an adrenaline-filled time with great views to enjoy.
Smoky Mountains
Clingmans Dome
Photo Credit: Carrie A Hanrahan
Back in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll have a different kind of outdoor adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to explore and hike through a diverse terrain that includes dense forests and misty valleys.
Hiking in the Smokies is also an experience like no other, especially in places like Clingmans Dome - the highest point in the Smokies - and Alum Cave Bluffs and trail with beautiful scenery that includes streams, wood and trunk bridges, the arch, views, and ends with the cave.
The Verdict: Blue Ridge Mountains
As you can see, each has its unique appeal when it comes to the Smoky Mountains vs Blue Ridge Mountains. One is known for its every-level type of hiking terrain, while the other will challenge the most seasoned hikers. In terms of beauty, you’ll find photograph-worthy views in both, but again, the Blue Ridge magic wins this battle.
Plan Your Mountain Getaway with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals
We hope this information gives you a better idea of where to vacation. For your convenience, you pick one of our Blue Sky Cabin Rentals scattered around North Georgia and available year-round; whether you’re seeking cabins with mountain views or by the waterfront, we have them available - don’t forget your swimming suit and fishing pole!