Great Smoky Mountains National Park

CONTENTS

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary, the park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails. Click on the In Depth link for our expanded web pages featuring information about accommodations, camping, fishing, ranger-led programs, rules concerning pets, and more. Additional trip planning information is available by clicking on the Plan Your Visit link at right.

IN DEPTH

Who's Who in the Park National Park Service (NPS) The NPS is the federal custodian of the park. It preserves the Smokies' natural habitat, which was once heavily farmed and logged, and maintains the park's...read more

Gatlinburg As one of Great Smoky Mountains National Park's principal gateway communities, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hosts many of the park's millions of annual visitors. It is located on U.S. 441 on...read more

Highlights of the Smokies Established: The park was created in 1934 to protect the last of the southern Appalachian forest which once covered more than 4 million acres, but was virtually eliminated by...read more

History of Great Smoky The Great Smoky Mountains are among the highest peaks in the Appalachian mountain range, yet they are rounder and lower in elevation than younger mountain chains such as the...read more

History of Crafts The strong crafts tradition in the Smokies produced many fine handcrafted items. Long after most people along the Eastern Seaboard lived in a cash economy, the mountain people still...read more

In A Nutshell TRANSPORTATION Getting to Great Smoky Mountains The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the southern entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. U.S. 441, known...read more

John Walker John Walker holds some cherries from his orchard. He, his wife Margaret Jane, and their 11 children lived in Little Greenbrier Cove and prided themselves on their self-sufficiency. He...read more

Just For Kids Junior Rangers can earn a badge by engaging in specially-designed programs such as blacksmithing, creating a piece of pottery, venturing to learn about insects and other wildlife, or becoming...read more

Life Zones The Smokies' various ecological communities are most often identified by forest types called, "life zones." Elevation, soil conditions, moisture or dryness, and exposure to wind and sun all play...read more

Lodging & Dining at Great Smoky A variety of lodging and dining options are available to visitors, from a hike-in lodge in the park to many hotels, motels and cabins in nearby towns. LODGING AND DINING...read more