Summary
Located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park is home to over 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging multi-day treks. Visitors can explore the park's diverse flora and fauna, including black bears, elk, and a variety of wildflowers.
One of the park's most popular attractions is Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park at over 6,600 feet. Visitors can hike to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains or visit the observation tower for a 360-degree view. Other points of interest include Cades Cove, a historic settlement with preserved log cabins and churches, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a scenic drive through old-growth forests and past rushing streams.
Interesting facts about the area include that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, attracting over 11 million visitors annually. The park is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a International Biosphere Reserve.
The best time of year to visit the park depends on personal preferences and interests. Spring and summer offer mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers, and opportunities for swimming and fishing. Fall brings stunning foliage views and cooler temperatures, while winter offers the chance for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. However, visitors should be aware of peak tourist season and plan accordingly to avoid crowds.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
#87 Jerry Hollow
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90 Lost Cove
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91 Upper Lost Cove
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93 Twentymile Creek
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Cable Cove
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Cable Cove Campground
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Birchfield Branch
Santeetlah Lake
Massey Branch Fishing Pier