Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in TN / NC

When you are visiting the southeastern part of Tennessee, you will want to find out why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited places of all the National Parks in the United States. Its beauty will make you want to keep on coming back for more, and the kids will enjoy the wide variety of activities and sights.

The area was a favorite place of the Cherokee Indians and other native Americans before the white man ever came. Its abundance of deer, black bear, and many other forms of wildlife made it their favorite hunting grounds. Currently, there are more than 66 species of mammals, more than 240 bird species, 43 species of amphibians and many more.

The Park has a wide variety of terrain and places to see. Visitor's will enjoy the highest point in the Park at Clingman's Dome – where you can see for many miles from the Tower – to the 11-mile driving tour through Cade's Cove, where deer and black bear are often seen, along with historic homes and churches from the earliest settlers in the area.

On the edge of the Park are the towns of Townsend and Gatlinburg, where activities abound for every age. At Townsend, you can watch various craftsmen as they perform crafts the old-fashioned way or go white water rafting (or family rafting and tubing). In Gatlinburg, you can see a tourist town come alive with activities of just about every kind you can think of, with tremendous views of the Smoky Mountains. You can ride the Tram Car, go up the Space Tower, or see one of Ripley's many Museums.

There are plenty of places for every one in the family to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Stay in beautiful lodges, chateaus or cabins while you are here and enjoy the great outdoors. Make it an unforgettable family vacation.


Photo source merfam