The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Our Most Visited
National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in
southeastern Tennessee and borders North Carolina on its western
side. The parked was so named because of the perpetual haze that
lingers over the valleys and peaks that make up this part of the
Appalachian Mountains.
Smoky Mountain National Park covers more than half a million
acres and is home to a large diversity of wildlife and more than
four thousand species of plants. Black bears can be seen on many
of the trails in the park and quite frequently in Cades Cove and
some campgrounds. Despite their rather cute appearance, they are
not to be messed with.
Once a part of the Cherokee Indian homeland, the Smokies today
are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails within the
borders of the park. There are all classes of hiking trails for
those that are just out for a nature walk to those that are
serious hikers and climbers. You can even get backcountry
permits to hike some of the more obscure trails not open to the
general public.
The park is the most visited National Park in the entire United
States with more than nine million visitors each year. You will
want to plan out your adventure through the park as traffic can
get quite congested in some of the more popular areas of the
park, especially during the more popular summer months.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is serviced by the towns
of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend on the Tennessee side
and by Maggie Valley and Cherokee on the North Carolina side.
Each town offers a diverse mixture of activities, shopping,
dining, lodging and of course, great southern hospitality.
Smoky Mountain National Park is also home to Cades Cove, one of
the most serene and picturesque locations in the eastern United
States. Cades Cove is a must see if you are anywhere near the
Smoky Mountains on your vacation. The highlight of Cades Cove is
the 11 mile loop that encircles the valley. To catch a glimpse
of some of the Smokies wildlife, plan your trip around the loop
road early in the morning or at dusk.
You will be able step back in history and enjoy the pioneer
spirit for a few hours or a full day when you visit Cades Cove.
Don't miss it.
There are an endless amount of activities to enjoy while
visiting the Smoky Mountain National Park such as hiking as
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