Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers various activities for you to enjoy. The most difficult choice you will have to make is, choose which auto tour, trail, waterfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!

1. The Tourist Insider’s Guide:
THE GREAT
SMOKY MOUNTAINS

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers various
activities for you to enjoy. The most difficult choice you
will have to make is, choose which auto tour, trail, wa-
terfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!

3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers
522,427 acres, divided almost evenly between the
states of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, encompass-
ing some of the oldest mountains on earth includ-
ing Clingmans Dome and Mount Mitchell.
The Great Smoky Mountains
stats

4. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives
more than 9 million visitors a year, making it the
most visited national park in the country. The Grand
Canyon, the second most visited national park, re-
ceives roughly 4.4 million visitors per year.
The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the
Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation
from trees.
The Great Smoky Mountains
stats

5. There are 16 mountains in the park that reach ele-
vations higher than 6000 feet. The Empire State
Building is 1250 feet.
There are 803 miles of hiking trail - third most miles
after Yellowstone and Sequoia/Kings Canyon.
The Great Smoky Mountains
stats

6. Gregory Bald is famous for its spectacular flame aza-
leas that bloom on its summit from mid to late June.
You'll see a rainbow of colors including fire red, wine
red, orange, salmon, yellow, white, pink, and even
multi-colored azaleas. There's also the commanding
views of Cades Cove, Fontana Lake and the eastern
crest of the Smokies make this a year-round destina-
tion.
GREGORY BALD
The Great Smoky Mountains
Top Trails To Hike

7. On a clear day the views are incredible. The best van-
tage point is the stone fire tower provides hikers with
360-degree panoramic views. Look in any direction
and see row upon row of smoky blue mountains.
MT. CAMMERER
The Great Smoky Mountains
Top Trails To Hike

8. This one is a rougher hike, but you'll see it's worth it
when you reach Spence Field. The grassy meadows
have a great view of the North Carolina side of the
Smokies. Hike the trail in late spring when Spence
Field showcases the most spectacular display of
mountain laurel you'll see just about anywhere.
ROCKY TOP
The Great Smoky Mountains
Top Trails To Hike

9. Take the drive through Cades Cove. It's a valley the Chero-
kee Indians used for as a hunting ground for Cherokee In-
dians. It's an 11-mile one-way loop that circles the cove.
Lining the road are numerous historic buildings, including
churches, log cabins, and a working gristmill.
Take the Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome, the
highest point in the park (6,643 feet), for best overall views
of the park and a spectacular sunset.
The Great Smoky Mountains
insider tips

10. If you want an easier hike for the family, the go to Laurel
Falls Trail. It's a paved 2.6-mile round-trip trail. The trail
starts on Little River Road near Elkmont and goes through
patches of mountain laurel and rhododendron on the way
to the 80-foot-high falls.
Visit the Mountain Farm Museum. It's a 19th-century farm-
stead along the banks of the Oconaluftee River, which
features a farmhouse, barn, apple house, hen house,
springhouse and blacksmith shop. During the summer,
visitors to the Mountain Farm Museum can view demon-
strations and live farm animals.
The Great Smoky Mountains
insider tips

11. Oconaluftee Visitor Center is way more than just a visitor
center, it's a full historical village and museum! Set right by
the river, you can see lots of wildlife around, and if you
check their calendar, you can stop by when they have a
demonstration or event going on.
The Great Smoky Mountains
insider tips

12. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains,
a wondrous diversity of life.
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