Things to do nearGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established as a federally protected area in 1934, though the land carries human history stretching back thousands of years. The Cherokee people called these mountains home long before European settlers arrived, and their cultural legacy is preserved in the Qualla Boundary, the tribal land that borders the North Carolina side of the park. Throughout the nineteenth century, Scots-Irish and English settlers built homesteads, grist mills, and churches in the mountain coves, and dozens of these historic structures still stand in places like Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley, offering a tangible connection to Appalachian life.

The park encompasses more than 500,000 acres and contains one of the largest expanses of old-growth temperate forest in the eastern United States, with over 100 tree species and some 1,500 varieties of flowering plants. Hikers choose from more than 800 miles of trails, ranging from gentle valley walks to the strenuous ascent of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park at over 6,600 feet.

Wildlife viewing is a central draw, with white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and a recovering elk herd in Cataloochee among the most commonly spotted animals alongside the park's estimated 1,500 black bears. Gateway towns Gatlinburg and Cherokee offer regional Appalachian cuisine, craft traditions, and lodging close to the park boundaries. The park's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve reflects its global ecological significance, and that layered richness of nature, history, and culture makes Great Smoky Mountains National Park a destination that repays careful, unhurried exploration.