The Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina
Park
Why pick this one
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and 10 developed campgrounds across 522,427 acres in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Best for
- visitors seeking hiking trails and waterfalls
- campers wanting developed or backcountry sites
- wildlife watchers interested in elk, black bears, and diverse species
- travelers seeking scenic auto touring at Cades Cove
- visitors exploring Appalachian and Cherokee cultural history
Look elsewhere if
- visitors specifically requiring access to Laurel Falls Trail during its rehabilitation closure
Specialties
- hiking
- camping
- wildlife watching
- auto touring
- waterfall exploration
- historic site exploration
What makes them different
- Covers 522,427 acres divided almost evenly between Tennessee and North Carolina
- More than 22,000 documented species inhabit the park
- Offers 10 developed campgrounds plus backcountry camping
- Does not charge an entrance fee, though parking tags are required for parking longer than 15 minutes
- Cades Cove features an 11-mile, one-way scenic loop
Distilled from this business's own website.
Contact & Location
- Address
- The Great Smokey Mountains In North Carolina, Clyde, NC 28721
- Website
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Services
- recreational activities
- developed campground camping
- backcountry camping
- picnicking
- biking
- visitor center access
- educational opportunities