Where the beauty of nature never fades away

   (click on right lower corner for a larger view)

 The Great Smoky MountainsNational Parkstraddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border for about 70 miles, covering 521,000 acres. There are more than 300 streams, flowing over 700 miles. More than 50 types of mammals live in the park, including the popular black bear.

Today, the mountains have over 4,000 species of plant life, 65 mammals, 200 birds, 70 fish, and 80 reptiles and amphibians. Because of the climatic change accompanying the gain in altitude, a one-day hike could take you through oak and pine forest (common in northern Georgia), hickory and maple trees (common Virginia), northern hardwood (found in Massachusetts) and spruce and fir forest (common in Canada).

The first known inhabitants of the Smokies were the Cherokee Indians. Surprisingly, their lives were similar to, and in some ways more sophisticated than, the white man who would eventually force them from the land. Today, the eastern band of the Cherokees have a reservation on the Park's North Carolina side.

Most of the National parks in America were originally part of government-owned lands; however, the Smokies were owned by private individuals and companies. In 1926, Congress authorized North Carolina and Tennessee to begin allocating funds for the purchase of the land. In 1934, with the help of individuals such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the land was purchased and given to the Federal Government. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated the Park on September 2, 1940.

             Activities  

         (click on each )

• Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas

• Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Camping in the Smokies (Backcountry & Frontcountry)

• Biking in the Smoky Mountains

• Picnics in the Smoky Mountains National Park

• Auto-tours  (Cades Cove Loop and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail)

• Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains National Park

• Horseback riding in the National Park

• Tubing, white water rafting, or kayaking

• Wildlife Viewing (Bears, elk, deer, and many more species!) 

• Historic Buildings (Cades Cove, Elkmont, Cataloochee & more)

• Other places to go  ( Clingmans Dome,Fontana Dam, etc )

 Facts about the Smoky  Mountains National Park and the surroundings 

#1: Most Visited National Park in America

More people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than any other park in America. In fact, over 20 million visitors visit the park each year. While I must admit, many of these visitors simply drive through the park, they still get the full effect of the park's beauty.


 

#2: Established on June 15, 1934

During the early part of the last century, many areas were being turned into national parks. Many people supported the thought of turning the Great Smoky Mountainsinto a national park. But, the fact is, many politicians only supported this movement because they thought it would never happen. On June 15, 1934it did happen.


 

#3: 5 Types of Forests

Inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park you will find 5 different types of forests. Another fun fact is that there are 130 different types of trees, along with 1,300 other plant species. There are also several beautiful types of wildflowers to be seen throughout the year. 

#4: 65 Different Mammals 

As with any other park, you will find several types of mammals. In fact there are 65 different types of mammals in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will find bears, foxes, wolves, and several other beautiful animals. 

#5: The wedding capital of the South, while Gatlinburg is one of the honeymoon capital of the world