Verses: Luke 5:16, 6:12; Matthew 14:23
Fun Fact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the salamander capital of the world!
Favorite Hike: Mount LeConte and some of the waterfall hikes (Ramsey Cascades, Grotto Falls, Abrams Falls)
I live near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it was the first national park I ever visited, which meant it became my first national park love. I’ve hiked my fair share of trails, know most of the shortcuts and best spots, and have experienced some of the park’s most quintessential moments: black bear cubs on an early spring morning, synchronized fireflies in the summer, and the most beautiful display of fall foliage at just the right time in October.
GSMNP, as the locals call it, covers over 500,000 acres on the Tennessee and North Carolina border in the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains. The park has streams, waterfalls, mountain balds, wildflowers, and an impressively diverse range of plant and animal species — most amazingly, dozens of species of lungless salamanders. Who knew?
A must-do hike when visiting the Smoky Mountains is Mount LeConte and the LeConte lodge which is the highest guest lodge in the eastern U.S., coming in at 6400 feet. It is only accessible by foot — even the supplies are brought in via llamas. There are a few different trails to the top, the shortest being about 11 miles roundtrip.
For something a little less strenuous, another classic destination is to drive (or bike) through Cades Cove, an 11 mile loop that offers some of the classic Smoky Mountain views. You can stop at different sites along the way to see some of the old historic buildings from the early settlers circa the 1830s. There are churches, grist mills, log cabins and barns, all of which you can tour along the route. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the park, so even if you aren’t up for all 2200 miles, you can still do a slice of it.
These and many other great things to do within the Smokies makes it the most visited national park in the U.S.! This is probably due, in part, to the fact that there is no entrance fee to visit the park, and there never will be. It’s also one of the most accessible parks for those in the eastern part of the country.
For me, the Smoky Mountains have a sense of familiarity and comfort. It’s been a place I’ve shared with friends, family and strangers. It has, on more than one occasion, been a place I go to for peace and solitude, a place to think, pray and reflect.
Scripture shares some examples of Jesus doing the same thing. Luke tells us that Jesus would often withdraw to the wilderness to pray.
It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Matthew 14:23
Jesus does this at very critical times in his ministry when the scribes and pharisees are becoming hostile towards Him, and when He must select and prepare His disciples. This is portrayed in Luke and in Matthew, at the height of His ministry of preaching and teaching when His followers are increasing, and His message is spreading.
We also see Jesus go to the mountains with Peter, James and John to pray before the transfiguration (Luke 9:28). In other places, the Bible references Jesus finding a place of solitude or time alone (Mark 1:35, Luke 9:18). I think it's safe to assume some of these places of solitude were in nature.
Of course, not all of Jesus’ prayers were in the mountains, but some were, and I believe there was a reason for that. He could have chosen to pray in the temple or a home, or with a larger group of followers or disciples, but sometimes he chose to retreat to the mountains, removed from distractions so He could focus on His time in communion with the Father. I think we would be wise to follow our Savior’s example and do the same — retreat to a place of solitude, peace, and familiarity.
You may not have a national park easily accessible to visit regularly, but I pray as you explore the Smoky Mountains or another park close to home, you step away and draw closer to God. I pray nature, and especially our national parks, provide a retreat and environment for you to quiet your heart and mind and commune with our Lord.
"I do hold strenuously toward preserving the beautiful handiwork of God; why, in this nervous, racing life we lead, if a man cannot get into the woods once in a while and say his prayers, I do not know what would save us.” - John Muir
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