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

Oh, Ranger! As an archeologist here at Great Smoky Mountains National Park I often spend time excavating in isolated places. Limited exploration using small post hole excavations may yield small flint...read more

Only A Day at Great Smoky If you only have one day to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, drive along Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers, beginning...read more

Great Smoky Regulations SAFETY TIPS Bears: Feeding the bears is illegal! It makes them bold and potentially dangerous. Keep a clean camp and deposit garbage in park trash cans or dumpsters. Bears cause much...read more

Preserving the Smokies The NPS plays a dual role at Great Smoky Mountains National Park: It preserves both the park's natural environment and the historic relics of the mountain settlers. Smokier Smokies As with...read more

At Your Fingertips Park Headquarters and (865) 436-1200 General Information www.nps.gov/grsm Emergencies (865) 436-1230 (Touch tone only) (865) 436-1200, then 1, then 911 Backcountry Reservations (865) 436-1231 Special Services - (865) 436-1200 Lost and Found (865) 436-1217 Road/Weather Conditions (865) 436-1200 In-Park Lodging and...read more

Restoration of Elk in the Park The experimental reintroduction of elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in February, 2001 with the release of 25 elk from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation...read more

Campgrounds in the Great Smokies Picnic tables, fire grills, running water and flush toilets are available. The large campgrounds also have amphitheaters for ranger talks and slide shows. There are no showers or trailer...read more

Sights to See at Great Smoky Steeped in history and blessed with natural beauty, the Smokies provide visitors with rich sights, from the log cabins of earlier days to primeval forests and misty vistas of...read more

Camping at Great Smoky The park has 1,008 developed campsites at 10 campgrounds and 100 primitive backcountry campsites on the ridges. For information on horse camps, please see page 52. Reservations May 15 through October...read more