Great Smoky Mountains National Park it is located in southeastern Tennessee and borders North Carolina on its western side. The park was named for the perpetual mist that lingers over the valleys and peaks that make up this part of the Appalachian Mountains.

Smoky Mountain National Park covers more than half a million acres and is home to a great diversity of wildlife and more than four thousand species of plants. Black bears can be seen on many of the park’s trails and quite frequently at Cades Cove and some campgrounds. Despite their rather cute appearance, they should not be played with.

Once part of the homeland of the Cherokee Indians, the Smokies are today a hiker’s paradise with more than 800 miles of trails within park boundaries. There are all kinds of hiking trails for those just out for a nature walk to those who are serious hikers and climbers. You can even get backcountry permits to hike some of the more obscure trails that aren’t open to the general public.

The park is the most visited National Park in the entire United States with more than nine million visitors each year. You’ll want to plan your adventure through the park, as traffic can get quite congested in some of the more popular areas of the park, especially during the more popular summer months.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is served by the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend on the Tennessee side and by Maggie Valley and Cherokee on the North Carolina side. Each city offers a diverse mix of activities, shopping, dining, lodging, and of course, great southern hospitality.

Smoky Mountain National Park is also home to Cades Cove, one of the most serene and picturesque places in the eastern United States. Cades Cove is a must see if you are near the Smoky Mountains on your vacation. The highlight of Cades Cove is the 11-mile loop that circles the valley. To catch a glimpse of some of the Smokies wildlife, plan your trip around the beltway in the early morning or late afternoon.

You can step back in history and enjoy the pioneer spirit for a few hours or a full day when you visit Cades Cove. Do not miss it.

There are an endless number of activities to enjoy while visiting Smoky Mountain National Park, such as hiking as I mentioned earlier, biking, camping, wildlife viewing, whitewater tubing and rafting, and much more.

Come to the Smokies and experience why more than 9 million people vacation in this serene mountain paradise every year.