With this in mind, it pays to keep your gear to a minimum. Carrying a daypack and using a layered approach to your clothing will also help keep you comfortable when hiking. For those taking our Backcountry Package, a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and hiking boots are required. This is a great destination to bring your family or non-angling companion. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a wealth of hiking trails and activities.
Nearby towns offer shopping and antiquing.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railway offers scenic steam train rides along the Tuckasegee River. Options such as dinner trains and raft n rail trips are a blast. Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River is excellent. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville provides tours of the beautifully restored mansion of George Vanderbilt, along with its extensive grounds and gardens. The estate also has a winery, fine dining and shopping.