4 Reasons to Use the Greenbrier Entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the things campers love most about staying at the Greenbrier Campground is the convenient access into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! In fact, you could even walk from our campground to the Greenbrier entrance in the park! This entrance is considered off the beaten path, making it one of the best ways to access the beauty of the park without the crowds! Here are the top 4 reasons to use the Greenbrier entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

1. Wildflower and Foliage Viewing

The Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best areas of the park to view spring wildflowers and fall foliage! Since this area is not as busy as other sections in the park, you don’t have to worry as much about sharing the trails with hundreds of other guests! The Greenbrier area is particularly renowned for its wildflowers, which you can enjoy by driving or hiking. The drive to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead provides excellent wildflower viewing from your car, while the Porters Creek Trail makes the perfect wildflower walk! In the fall, you can enjoy all of the beautiful foliage without fighting the crowds!

2. Excellent Hiking Opportunities

Another reason why you should use the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is to take advantage of the excellent hiking opportunities! The Porters Creek Trail starts at the end of Greenbrier Road with an easy 1 mile gravel path that is wide and ideal for groups or families. Once reaching the 1 mile point, the trail is still well maintained but a bit more narrow. Continue for just 1 more mile to Fern Branch Falls and then another 1.7 miles to the end of Porters Creek Trail. The Ramsey Cascades Trail starts a few miles down Greenbrier Road and the turn off is well marked. This hike is a moderate 8 mile round trip hike through the forest and features one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Smokies!

3. Perfect Place for a Picnic

If you are planning a full day of hiking, the Greenbrier area is the perfect place for a picnic lunch! The Greenbrier picnic area is located just 3 miles off of Highway 321 along Greenbrier Road and is open year round for your enjoyment. You will find a parking area and restrooms with running water and flush toilets, as well as plenty of picnic tables and grills. There are also tons of places where you can simply spread out a blanket for your picnic if you don’t need a table!

4. Close to the Greenbrier Campground

Rather than stay miles away from the Greenbrier entrance into the park, stay just minutes away with a vacation at the Greenbrier Campground! Our beautiful campground is less than a half mile from the Greenbrier entrance and features 120 full hookup campsites ranging from premier frontage sites to wooded sites. While staying with us, you can enjoy recreational opportunities, a private swimming area, bathhouse, playground, and even free wireless internet access! Our campground is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River to create a truly spectacular camping environment!

Check out all of the information about our campground today to plan your camping adventure near the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! We look forward to welcoming you to Greenbrier Campground!