Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Great Smoky Mountain National Park - A beautiful place to experience. Scenery, Animals, and Adventure await!!

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a beautiful part of the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1934, it has over 9 million visits per year, making it the most-visited in the United States. Whether you yearn for a challenging hike to the top or would rather sit and watch the sun set, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park offers several activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part of your visit may be choosing which auto tour, trail, waterfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!

Wonder where the name comes from? The name "Smoky" comes from the natural fog that lies atop the range appearing as smoke from a distance. This effect is partially the result of the large amounts of rainfall that falls throughout the year.


Will you see a Black Bear while visiting? It is the home to a large population of black bear. With bear throughout , there is a good possibility that you might see one (or more)! Some of the other animals that could be seen in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park include the white-tailed deer, bobcat, and even the occasional  lion.

Other animals may be seen during your visit. The National Park Service has reintroduced river otters and Elk into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A diverse bird population lives in the area. Bald eagles along with Golden eagles have been seen.

Four National Historic Districts exist inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are ten structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a country where the Cherokee Indians once lived.

Several rivers run through the park. For those that love to fish, several types of fish can be caught. Match your skills against wily brook, brown, and rainbow trout on miles of fishable streams within the park. The thick forests here have been around for awhile. Some of the trees are over 300 years old. You will find beautiful wildflowers growing all around you in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is Clingmans Dome, which reaches an elevation of 6,643 feet. Mount Le Conte is 6,593 feet high and rises more than a mile from the base. An Automobile or Motorcycle tour of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park offers a chance to see panoramic vistas, rushing  streams, weathered historic buildings, and majestic forests stretching to the horizon.

Bicycles can travel through most of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Due to the steep terrain and narrow roads, some are not well suited for bicycle riding. Cades Cove Loop Road is an exception. The 11-mile one way road, is a popular bicycling area. It provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th century homes.

Escape to the Smokies for a backpacking adventure. Some may prefer to stay in one of the park's more developed campgrounds. Hikers enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain National Park throughout the year with each season offering is own special rewards.

During winter, few leaves obstruct the views. Spring offers views of beautiful wildflowers. In the summer, you can find shade among the spruce-fir forests and balds or follow streams to roaring falls and cascades. Fall hikers have crisp, dry air to sharpen their senses and awesome fall colors to enjoy. Over 800 miles of trails await you in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park.