Want to plan adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but aren't sure where to begin? The Sugarlands Visitor Center, the primary Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Center when entering end from the West (from Gatlinburg), offers guests a chance to plan the most memorable excursions throughout the beauty of this national treasure. From park rangers to trail maps, the first stop in planning your Great Smoky Mountain vacation excursions is Sugarlands Visitor Center. Here, you'll also find a Smoky Mountains Museum that covers the history of the area as well as the only natural history museum in Gatlinburg. Several nearby trails wait for you to start your adventure upon leaving Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Sugarlands Visitor Center's Informative Offerings

Stepping into Sugarlands Visitor Center is guaranteed to provide you with an ample amount of useful information to make your trip into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park the most memorable yet. From trail guides to books describing the history of the region, this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center offers everything you'll need to discover the Smokies rich landscape's highlights and history. Make sure to take advantage of:

• Sugarlands Visitor Center's Park Rangers - When looking for information about the park, why not ask the experts themselves? The rangers at this Great Smoky National Park Visitors Center will gladly answer any questions you may have regarding trails within the park, wildlife, plant life, lesser known paths to travel, and more.
  
  
• An Extensive Collection of Trail Guides atSugarlands Visitor Center's - At this Great Smoky National Park Visitors Center, you can find a map for almost every trail in the park. From nearby Laurel Falls to the Chimney Tops, you'll find the location and routes to some of the the favorite trails in the Smokies as well as hidden gems with fewer hikers.
  
  
• Sugarlands Visitor Center's Historical Book Selection - If you'd like to know whose footsteps you're following down the rugged path of your chosen trail? This Great Smoky National Park Visitors Center's gift shop provides visitors with books and DVDs that will give you insight to the rich history of the land surrounding you.

Sugarlands Visitor Center Smoky Mountain Museum

In addition to trail guides, books, and the ranger's expertise, Sugarlands Visitor Center contains a small Smoky Mountains Museum that provides guests with additional information about the parks natural flora and fauna. This natural history museum in Gatlinburg will give you a chance to understand how this beautiful region was formed as well as how the ecosystem continues to thrive today. Learn about the natural splendor of the Smoky Mountains through:

• The Sugarlands Visitor Center's Animal Exhibit - The animal exhibit boasts several stuffed specimens of local wildlife, from wild hog to black bear, which includes a description of each animal's distinctive features. Kids will love this feature at this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center. 
  
  
• A History of Topography at Sugarlands Visitor Center- Learn about how the mountains around you were formed at this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center.
  
  
• Free Educational Film Showings at Sugarlands Visitor Center - Enjoy watching a free, 20-minute film on the history of the Smokies. Many guests consider this to be an invaluable feature of this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor center.

Trails Near Sugarlands Visitor Center

The educational value of visiting Sugarlands Visitor Center would be enough to draw any family or group eager to learn more about the Smokies to this Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors center. However, there are also several trails around the area making this a great starting point for an afternoon in the park. These trails are near the visitor center:

• Laurel Falls
• Newfound Gap
• Cataract Falls
• And several other trails!

Stay close to Sugarlands Visitor Center

Those looking to stay near the entrance to the park will enjoy staying in comfortable cabin accommodations at Smoky Mountain Village or any of our other Gatlinburg vacation rentals or Pigeon Forge cabins. A cabin stay affords you the the convenience of being close to all the exciting attractions of the Smokies as well as in-cabin amenities that will make you feel right at home.