| |
|
 |
|
| |
Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|
|
| |
|
| |
107 Park Headquarters Rd, US Hwy 441, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: 865-436-1200
Open All Year
Overview. When the glaciers pushed south during the Ice Age, many species of plants and animals moved into the Smoky Mountains area. Beyond the reach of the ice sheets, the varying elevations provided many different habitats for thousands of species of birds, plants, and animals. Now designated an International Biosphere Reserve, this park, located on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, preserves a unique combination of environments that have hosted not only diverse flora and fauna but also diverse groups of people. The Cherokee Indians lived here for at least a thousand years before being displaced in the 19th century. In their place, early settlers established homesteads and villages among the mist-shrouded valleys and hills. In the early 20th century, the logging industry began stripping the forest of its vast stands of timber. To save the remainder of the forestland, the park was created in 1934. North Carolina and Tennessee purchased the land from the residents and logging companies, then turned it over to the National Park Service. Now, more than nine million visitors a year enjoy more than 500,000 acres of wilderness.
What to see and do. You should plan to spend at least a day here, and you could spend up to a week exploring the park's hidden nooks. There are two basic ways to see the highlights of the park: from your car, or from over 800 miles of hiking trails. Stretching between the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers through the center of the park, the Newfound Gap Road allows drivers to view splendid mountain vistas, picnic underneath stands of old growth forest, and spot birds and wildlife along the way. Frequent roadside stops encourage stepping out for a longer look over the ridges or a short walk through the woods. Some side roads take you through major cultural areas such as Cades Cove, once a thriving mountain community. Original historic structures and pleasant meadows punctuate this 11-mile loop in the western end of the park. Road conditions can vary, so check at the visitor centers for current information. During summertime, you can count on thousands of cars along the Newfound Gap Road, often stopped in a "bear jam." It's considered wise to bring along extra engine coolant and brake fluid on hot summer days, when your car works extra hard climbing up and down the forest-covered hills.
Veteran visitors and former residents insist the best way to appreciate the Smokies' vast array of natural beauties is at a slower pace and up close. Several short self-guided nature trails introduce you to the basics of plant identification. For serious hikers, many longer trails beckon you into the backcountry, where the terrain ranges from easy to difficult. Fish the area's many streams, which teem with over 50 species of fish, including trout. Fry up your rainbows, but you must let the "brookies" go in most park streams. The Park includes only eight selected streams to brook trout fishing to evaluate pressure on populations. Brookies are the only native trout species and are a protected species. Many visitors enjoy the park on horseback. At several places you can rent horses; get information from ranger stations or visitor centers about which trails allow horses. If you like to bike, rentals are available at Cades Cove. All main and side roads are open to bikes, but only four trails allow cycling. Keep an eye out for bears. Over 1,000 call the Smokies home, and you're best off giving them wide berth. Be sure to keep food out of their reach.
No matter how you plan to see the park, your first stop should be one of the handicapped-accessible visitor centers. A wealth of information, including schedules of campfire programs, slide presentations, and ranger-led walks, awaits you. Inquire about educational programs, such as the Smoky Mountain Field School or the Great Smoky Mountains Institute. You'll find gas and food in any one of numerous small communities, such as Gatlinburg, that surround the park.
| Activities and Services |
|
| • |
Bicycle Trails |
|
| • |
Bird Watching |
|
| • |
Fishing |
|
| • |
Gift Shop |
|
| • |
Hiking/Nature Trails |
|
| • |
Historic Sites |
|
| • |
Horse Trails |
|
| • |
Museum/Exhibits |
|
| • |
Non-motor Boating |
|
| • |
Picnic Sites |
|
| • |
Programs/Talks |
|
| • |
Self-guided Tours |
|
| • |
Visitor Center |
|
| • |
Wildflower Viewing |
|
| • |
Wildlife Viewing |
|
Search All National Parks
Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
|
|
|
|
