
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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- Activities & Programs
- At Your Fingertips
- Battles
- Campgrounds in the Great Smokies
- Camping at Great Smoky
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- Foliage in the Great Smokies
- Gatlinburg
- Great Smoky Regulations
- Highlights of the Smokies
- History of Crafts
- History of Great Smoky
- In A Nutshell
- John Walker
- Just For Kids
- Life Zones
- Local Lore
- Lodging & Dining at Great Smoky
- Oh, Ranger!
- Only A Day at Great Smoky
- Preserving the Smokies
- Restoration of Elk in the Park
- Sights to See at Great Smoky
- Trails in the Park
- Walking & Hiking Great Smoky
- Welcome to Great Smoky National Park
- Who's Who in the Park
- Event Calendar
- Smoky Mountains Map
- Smoky Mountains Photos
- Smoky Mountains POIs
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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
PARK PHOTOS
POINTS OF INTEREST
RECENT NEWS
- Public art to celebrate Great Smoky Mountains National Park January 27, 2010
- Smokies park struggling to clamp down on hog infestation January 25, 2010
- Photographer explores the Smoky Mountain National Park in quiet light January 18, 2010
- Smokies lab building gets LEED certification January 6, 2010
- Celebrate the Holidays in our Parks December 17, 2009
- Today is the date the park movement got its start November 23, 2009
- Memorial Fund for Elk No. 21 of Great Smoky Mountains National Park November 23, 2009
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