Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Discover America's most visited national park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It is world-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, breathtaking ancient mountains, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. The Great Smoky Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains and feature a wide range of elevations. Hiking is the park's main outdoor attraction, with over 800 miles of trails, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Other activities to enjoy in the park are fishing, horseback riding, and seeing its various historical structures.

If you come here for camping, please note that this is black bear country. Always keep your food securely locked up at night, and don't approach any wildlife creature. Bring your binoculars and look up as you walk through the forest. Hundreds of bird species have been spotted in the park, including chickadees, warblers, wrens, ravens, cardinals, woodpeckers, orioles, sparrows, and more.

Year-round, there are plenty of wildflowers in bloom. Some 1,500 flowering plants grow and thrive in the park. In the springtime, you can see orchids, bleeding hearts, columbine, and violets, to name a few. Fall is another great time to visit if you enjoy seeing lots of colorful leaves. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24/7, but some roads and visitor centers close in the winter. Enjoy an unforgettable adventure at this beloved national park with your friends and family.