Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina in the southeastern United States. It is the most visited national park in the country, with 12-13 million annual visitors.
Established in 1934, the National Park has an area of 522,419 acres (2,114 sq km). A UNESCO World Heritage site, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses the Great Smoky Mountains which is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the oldest mountains on Earth. They were formed 200-300 million years ago.
Top 3 highest mountain peaks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Clingmans Dome – 6,643 ft (2025 m)
- Mount Guyot – 6,621 ft (2018 m)
- Mount Le Conte – 6,593 ft (2010 m)
Flora and Fauna
The National park has over 1,800 species of plants, 65 species of mammals, over 200 bird species, 67 native fish species, and more than 80 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Large animals in the National park are American Black bears, Elk, White-tailed Deer, Coyote, etc.
American black bear is a large omnivore endemic to North America.
Elk is one of the largest deer species. It is found in North America, Central Asia, and East Asia.
Coyote is a canine endemic to North America.
Hiking
Hiking is the most popular thing to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails in the National Park. The famous ones are the Mount Le Conte hike, Rainbow Falls trail, Laurel Falls trail, etc.
Why is Great Smoky Mountains the most visited National Park in the United States?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park was visited by 13.3 million people in 2023 and 12.19 million people in 2024. It is by far the most visited National Park in the United States.
It is popular due to its stunning natural beauty, its accessibility, and its location. There is no entry fee to the National park which makes it an attractive destination for families and budget travelers. Also, the National Park is open year-round.
| Established | 1934 |
| States | Tennessee and North Carolina |
| Visitors | 12.19 million (2024) |
| Famous wildlife | White-tailed deer, American black bear, Elk, Coyote, Turkey, Raccoon, etc |
| Mountain range | Great Smoky Mountains |
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