Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Tennessee–North Carolina border and is the most visited National Park in the Unites States. At 814 square miles, it is one of the largest protected areas east of the Mississippi, the parks popularity is derived from its awesome natural beauty, its available outdoor activities, as well as being within a days drive of a third of the country's population. Chartered by Congress in 1934, it was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for in part with federal funds along with additional funds from generous benefactors including John D. Rockefeller, Jr. which supplemented the pennies for park preservation collected by regional school children.
Once part of the homeland of the Cherokee Indians, the land became a frontier for European settlement as early as the 18th century. The 1830 Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson led to the native Americans forced removal in the Trail of Tears exodus, however some, led by renegade warrior Tsali, hid out in the area and a few of their descendants now live in the Qualla Reservation south of the park.
With the entrance of the railroad into the area in the late 19th century, logging became a major industry and clear cutting soon followed. By the 1920s visitors and locals banded together to raise money to preserve the beauty and natural character of the land, thus began the penny campaign which was boosted by a generous $5 million contribution from Rockefeller. However the Depression slowed the funding down, eventually the Federal Government added $2 million and with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Works Progress Administration and other federal organizations, trails, fire watchtowers, and needed infrastructure improvements were made to the new national park.
Today the park is almost 95 percent forested with almost 36 percent of it estimated to be old growth forest with many trees that predate European settlement of the area. It is one of the largest blocks of deciduous, temperate, old growth forest in North America. Sixteen peaks soar to 6000+ feet with Clingmans Dome the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet. There are 200 known species of birds, 66 species of mammals, 50 species of fish, 39 species of reptiles, and 43 species of amphibians in the park along with a noteworthy black bear population, numbering at least 1,800. An experimental re-introduction of elk (wapiti) into the park began in 2001. Rules on approaching and mostly not approaching animals, may be obtained at the visitor centers or from park rangers.
Over 100 species of trees grow in the park. The lower region forests are dominated by deciduous leafy trees, with coniferous trees like Fraser Fir in the higher altitudes. In addition, the park has over 1,400 flowering plant species and over 4,000 species of non-flowering plants.
Besides wildlife there has been another preservation effort taking place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Nearly 80 historic structures—houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, 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.
Hiking, fly fishing (licensed with limits), nature viewing and historic area sightseeing are some of the favorite aspects of visiting this park. Horseback riding and bicycle rentals are provided by the Park Service and water tubing are all also practiced within the park boundaries. Spring through autumn, the park is in its prime, perfect for camping, hiking and sightseeing. Rafting and tubing are basically limited to summer months and in winter many roads in higher elevations are closed due to ice and snow. Some cross-country ski trails are open however access may be limited due to weather conditions. The autumn foliage draws big crowds to the park in late September through mid to late October so expect some traffic delays at that time.
Designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976, the park was certified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and became a part of the Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve in 1988. A 75th anniversary re-dedication ceremony for the park was held in September of 2009. Among those in attendance were were all four US Senators, the three US Representatives whose districts include the park, the governors of both states and Secretary of the Interior. Tennessee and area native, singer and actress Dolly Parton also attended and performed.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road / Gatlinburg, TN 37738
phone: 865-436-1200
The two main visitors’ centers inside the park are Sugarlands Visitors’ Center near the Gatlinburg entrance to the park and Oconaluftee Visitors’ Center near Cherokee, North Carolina at the eastern entrance to the park. These visitor and ranger stations provide exhibits on wildlife, geology, and the history of the park. They also sell books, maps, and souvenirs. Unlike most other national parks, there is no entry fee to enter and tour this amazing park.
