Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North Carolina runs northeast to southwest through the center-line of the park. It is the most visited national park in the United States. On its route from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail also passes through the center of the park. The park was chartered by the United States Congress in 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940. It encompasses 522,419 acres (816.28 sq mi; 211,415.47 ha; 2,114.15 sq km), making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. The main park entrances are located along U.S. Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) at the towns of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. It was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for in part with federal funds; previous parks were funded wholly with state money or private funds.
This immense outdoor playground, filled with ancient old growth forests, numerous flora and fauna, and over 900 miles of hiking trails offers endless fun and adventure!
For more information on Black Bears in the park and what to do if you see one visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm.
For more information and to plan your visit to this famous area of the park visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
For more information about how to see elk in the park and safe viewing guidelines visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/elk.htm.
Learn more about Fishing in the Smoky Mountains.
For more information on hiking in the park check out our Insider’s Hiking Guide
Learn more about how to become a Junior Ranger and for a schedule of Junior Ranger events visit.
Check out our recommended scenic drives.
Photo Credit: The Knoxville News Sentinel /Times Free Press.
Get more information on this annual event.
For more information on the best waterfalls to visit and waterfall safety in the park visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Here’s why area outdoor enthusiasts love the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
“The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) brings me life: the air is crisp and cool, the sounds of the streams, wind, and nature. The high mountain views make me feel free!…There isn’t another park like it. It holds a wondrous diversity of life. With an on-going inventory this park holds over 80,000 species. It’s very rich in life and in history. Also, GSMNP is the only National Park that doesn’t have an entrance fee. It’s free to visit!! It’s sitting in the heart of the Southeast. It’s only a day’s drive or less to get to the GSMNP, whether you are traveling from Florida or New York. With this great location, it makes it the most visited National Park in our country. There is no shortage of things to do here. There’s music, Art, theme parks, ski resorts, zip lining, Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking, camping, biking, to just name a few. This is a park is great for all walks of life: Young and Old.”
“I’m a whitewater kayaker, so after heavy rain, the streams come alive. So my favorite thing is kayaking. I also love trail running on the 800 plus miles of trails in the GSMNP.”>
“My favorite trail is the Boulevard trail up to Mt. Leconte. And for added Fun I like coming down Alum Cave trail. This makes for a super day of hiking.”
“Well, I feel pretty lucky having this national park at my back door. The diversity certainly makes it unique and being a white water canoeist the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers some of the finest boating around. [Boaters love it because…] most of the sections are close to a road for access. The hazel creek section of the park is every special due to its remoteness. Another thing about this park is in the winter you have it practically to yourself. It’s really incredible and is such a natural and offers so much for all to see and do. [All any visitor to the area has to do is a take a…] few steps from the car and get away from the road and it will be obvious.
“My favorite hiking trail is Baxter Creek Trail to Mount Sterling, you won’t encounter many people and it’s only five minutes off the interstate.”
“As a child my family visited the Pigeon Forge area. My next visit I was 23 years old. Upon my return, I told my Mom about my trip and described the area as the place where ‘My Spirit is!’; in amazement my Mom reminded me that at 4 years of age I told her that ‘My Soul’ was here! The feeling when the road crests and I see the majesty of the Smokies, I feel God opens His hands and says welcome home my child! This is a feeling no place in the world has ever given me…Visitors to the park can enjoy it’s incredible beauty, trails, vistas, scents, sounds, experiences of the GSMNP there are sooo many things to do within 30 miles – there is something for EVERYONE to do!”
I love playing in the River, skimming stones and just listening! The blissful sounds of the moving waters, the breeze rustling and the giggles and sounds of astonishment from newcomers and those of us who are amazed each time we step foot into God’s garden.
“I am fortunate to have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in my backyard. I love its unique habitat and amazing biodiversity. In addition it’s surprisingly easy to find solitude and so beautiful! The GSMNP is such a huge playground for so many outdoor activities and visitors will array of trees you’ll never see anywhere else.”
“Hike! With over 900 miles of trails to explore the possibilities are endless.”
“I really like the Appalachian Trail from newfound Gap to I-40. This section of trail is really hard to beat. Another lesser known hike that is great is the Sugarland Mountain Trail.”