can we do the Smoky Mountain train and Clingmans Dome.......

in one day? My husband and I are staying at Harrah%26#39;s in Cherokee for 2 nights before we head to Franklin (by traveling the BRP and going through Highlands) and staying there for 2 nights. The train ride starts at 10:30 and lasts for 4 hours. But I don%26#39;t want to rush in the Smokies in the afternoon.

I even thought of driving up from the cabin in Franklin to do the train ride, but then it will shorten our time for gem mining.

Okay, should I just skip the train??? Thanks for any suggestions.

can we do the Smoky Mountain train and Clingmans Dome.......

You should have no problems.

The train departs from Bryson City which is about 10 miles from Cherokee and the entrance to the park. It should take approx 30 minutes to get to the Clingman%26#39;s Dome entrance from Cherokee, although traffic could change this.

I%26#39;m not sure how much gem mining you want to do, but cutting some of that time shorter to ride the train sounds more reasonable. Bryson City is still only around 40 miles from Franklin.

Hope you have a great trip! Let us know what you decide.

can we do the Smoky Mountain train and Clingmans Dome.......

Thanks for your help! Since we are so close to Bryson City when we are in Cherokee, we should just go ahead and ride the train while we are in the area. We really want to do that. And we have been to the Smokies before many years ago. Just not during the springtime; oh, I bet it is so beautiful. We certainly aren%26#39;t going to spend alot of time at the casino. Especially after all the negative stuff that I have read.

And we won%26#39;t spend alot of time at a gem mine in Franklin, but I do want to stay and enjoy the cabin that we are renting there. So much to do and so little time!!!!!! We will just have to go back....

Thanks again.

We are heading toward North Carolina next Monday. YEA!!!

Have a great time, and be sure to write up a trip report when you get back!

Lucky you.

Have fun.

John