Welcome to Great Smoky National Park

Blanketed in lush forests and shrouded by mist, the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains beckons visitors to explore the mysteries of these ancient mountains. Walk in the woods and stand beneath a cathedral of towering hemlocks. Feel the cool spray of a waterfall splashing against moss-covered boulders. Gaze upon a landscape of gentle blue ridges stretching to the horizon.

The Cherokee described these mountains as shaconage, meaning "blue, like smoke." The bluish mist, which clings to the mountainsides and fills the valleys, gives the park its name and remains among its most distinctive features.

Among the oldest mountains in the world, the Smokies teem with a wondrous diversity of life. Over 10,000 species of plants and animals have been documented in the park, yet scientists believe an additional 90,000 species may live here. Punctuating this phenomenal biodiversity is one of the nation's largest collections of historic log buildings. The homes, schools, mills and churches of the mountain people are preserved here for you to discover and enjoy.

Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is your park. Take time to know it well and discover the heritage of natural and cultural diversity it preserves for all time.