Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site, preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history. The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life and the beauty of its ancient mountains, this is America’s most visited national park.

During spring, summer, and fall, ranger-led programs suitable for children are offered. These programs offer children an opportunity to explore and learn about the park. Read through the schedule of ranger-led programs to find programs especially for children.

Biological diversity is the hallmark of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and no other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park’s amazing diversity of plants, animals and invertebrates. Among the birds viewed in the park are Henslow’s Sparrow, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler, Red Crossbill, Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-winged Warbler and the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

The Great Smoky Mountains are among the oldest mountains in the world. Ridge on ridge of limitless forest straddle the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, providing spectacular scenic views. Established as a national park in 1934, the Smokies form one of the great wilderness areas of the eastern United States. The Smokies offer limitless opportunities for outdoor fun, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, auto touring, and wildlife viewing.

From the giant animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world’s temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies, over in any other North American national park. 95 percent of the park is forested, and about 25 percent of that area is old-growth forest. Over 1,600 flowering plant species and at least 4,000 species of nonflowering plants have been identified in the park. The park is the middle of diversity for lungless salamanders and is home to over 200 species of birds, 66 types of mammals, 50 native fish species, 39 varieties of reptiles, and 43 species of amphibians.

In recent years, the Park Service has reintroduced river otters, peregrine falcons, and several species of fish, and has also experimentally released herds of elk to learn if the park is suitable for a permanent stay.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds one of the best collections of Southern Appalachian log buildings. 80 historic structures—houses, barns, outbuildings, church buildings, schools, and grist mills—have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. The best places to see them are at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Self-guiding auto tour booklets are available at each place to enhance your visit.

With over nine million visitors yearly, the Park’s abundant plant and animal life and historical significance, coupled with its accessibility, makes the national park the most visited in the nation.

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