Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Why pick this one
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans 522,427 acres across Tennessee and North Carolina, with 10 developed campgrounds and backcountry camping.
Best for
- hiking among waterfalls, forests, and mountain trails
- developed campground or backcountry camping
- wildlife watching for elk, black bears, and salamanders
- scenic auto touring on the Cades Cove 11-mile loop
- exploring Appalachian, Cherokee, and park history
- visiting areas across both Tennessee and North Carolina
Look elsewhere if
- visitors specifically need Laurel Falls Trail during its rehabilitation closure
- visitors require guaranteed cellular or internet access throughout the park
Specialties
- developed campground camping
- backcountry camping
- mountain hiking
- wildlife watching
- Cades Cove auto touring
What makes them different
- 522,427 acres divided almost evenly between Tennessee and North Carolina
- More than 22,000 documented species, including species found nowhere else on Earth
- 10 developed campgrounds plus backcountry camping
- Cades Cove features an 11-mile, one-way scenic loop
- No entrance fee; parking tags are required for vehicles parked longer than 15 minutes
Distilled from this business's own website.
Contact & Location
Services
- hiking
- camping
- picnicking
- wildlife watching
- auto touring
- scenic viewing
- visitor education