A Vacation at the Great Smokey Mountains

The Great Smokey Mountains and the a sectiontowards the crest of a mountain or to just sit
of the Blue Ridge Mountains which encompass theand awe the sun set, the Great Smokey
Appalachian Mountain chain form the GreatMountains National Park has so much to offer. It is
Smokey Mountains National Park. It lies in betweenevery hiker and angler fisherman's dream
the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee. It isvacation destination. It is also a great family
the United States' most visited national park.retreat venue.
The Great Smokey Mountains National ParkThere are various ways to enjoy all the
attracts millions of visitors every year - making itattractions and activities of this park. You can get
the major tourist attraction in-between regions.an auto tour and see panoramic vistas,
With the high traffic of visitors, even nearby citiesweathered historic buildings, majestic forests and
share in the region's bolstering tourism industry.rushing mountain streams. You can enjoy bicycling
This includes Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend,through famous Cades Cove; go camping in the
Tennessee, Sevierville, Sylva, Cherokee andSmokies wilderness for some backpacking
Maggie Valley as well as Bryson City, Northadventure; try angler fishing on more than 700
Carolina.miles of streams; go hiking on more than 800
Inside the park are two main visitor centers;miles of trails that range from multi-day
namely the Sugarlands Visitors' Center and thebackpacking treks to quiet walkways; experience
Oconaluftee Visitors' Center in Gatlinburg andhorseback riding on over hundreds of miles of
Cherokee, respectively. These ranger stationsdrive in horse camps and horse trails; enjoy
offer interesting exhibits on the geology, historypicnicking sessions with the whole family; and
and wildlife of the Smokey Mountains. There arecheck out sightseeing venues for historic buildings,
no fees to be paid to enter the park.waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers. Everything you
The Great Smokey Mountains National Park haswant for your Smokey Mountains vacation is
several historical attractions to offer. This includesmade possible with the help of its operators - a
Cades Cove with its preserved historic buildingsnon-profit Great Smokey Mountains Association
like barns, churches and log cabins; Roaring Fork;whose proceeds from its store are donated to
Elkmont; and Cataloochee as well as Mingus Mill;the scientific, historical and educational projects of
and the Mountain Farm Museum.this popular park.
Whether you're after the challenge of the hike