From its inception in 1923, the idea for creating a national park of the Smoky Mountains area was fraught with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Financial, cultural and political issues were overcome to create what is today the most visited national park in our American Park system. More than 10 million people visited the Park this past year. Consider some of the following special attractions developed in the Park since its dedication in 1940.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Park - and for good reason. This fertile mountain valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains. An 11-mile one-way loop road winds around the valley, with stops at preserved pioneer structures. A visitor's center with pioneer exhibits, a 5-mile hike to Abrams Falls, abundant wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, and facilities for horseback riding all make Cades Cove a complete visitor's sampler of all the Park has to offer. Plan on spending the day - pack a lunch. (Cades Cove)

Cataloochee

North Carolina's answer to Cades Cove - without the crowding. Interestingly, Cataloochee had a greater population (approximately 1,200) at its peak than Cades Cove. Well off the beaten path, Cataloochee offers historic structures, opportunities for hiking, campgrounds, and spectacular vistas. It doesn't offer quite as much as Cades Cove, so isn't as crowded - but that's the attraction for many people.

Auto Touring

If we can't convince you to get out of your vehicle and enjoy the very best the Park has to offer (150 maintained hiking trails totaling 800 miles, mountain vistas, old growth forests, nature trails, trout streams) then try some of these fantastic auto tours!

Tremont

Before a handful of brilliant folks began the process to charter it as a national park, two-thirds of what is now the Great Smoky Mountains was owned by logging companies. For three decades, the Little River Lumber Company cut and hauled away great portions of one of the country's greatest deciduous forests. A visit to Tremont (enter the Park from Townsend, Tennessee and turn right at the "Y", then travel approximately 1 mile to the Tremont entrance) and its self-guided tour will give you a good idea of the lumber operation that existed. The road follows the old railroad bed and parallels Little River as it passes through the area that was a company-owned town. The Little River Lumber Company also built two other such "towns" - at Townsend and Elkmont. After a monumental effort, all the land now comprising the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (over 500,000 acres) was purchased from more than 6,000 individual owners, including several lumber companies, and the Park was created in 1934. The last load of timber came out of Little River in 1938, and it's estimated that more than one billion board feet of lumber was extracted from the virgin forest of the Great Smokies - enough to build 100,000 three-bedroom homes.

Waterfalls

The Smoky Mountains contain many wonderful streams and waterfalls - many of which are rewards for trekking the well-maintained hiking trails. The easiest to get to is Laurel Falls (it's paved for the handicapped) is just off Little River Road between the Sugarlands Visitors Center (which is near near Gatlinburg) and the "Y" to Townsend. The tallest and, arguably, most exciting is Ramsay Cascades.

Hikes

One-hundred fifty maintained hiking trails totaling more than 800 miles crisscross the Park. Many parallel trout streams and lead to waterfalls. Several hikes are featured within these pages. They offer great opportunities to get out of your vehicle to view wildflowers in spring, fantastic mountain vistas in winter, fall foliage in the autumn, and record-size trees in summer.

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies (6,643 feet). Some days it's in the clouds (see photo right), but on clear days it affords spectacular 360 degree views of the Park. To get to Clingmans Dome, you want to be on Newfound Gap Road (the only road which completely traverses the Park). One-tenth of a mile south from Newfound Gap you will turn onto Clingmans Dome Road. From there, you'll travel 7 miles, passing several pullouts for views, and end up in a parking area from which you walk a short distance to the top of the mountain. The turnoff to Clingmans is about 25 miles from Cherokee or 22 miles from Gatlinburg. Open from April through December, the road to Clingmans Dome is closed in winter

Newfound Gap Road

The only road that completely traverses the Park, Newfound Gap Road runs the 33 miles between Cherokee NC and Gatlinburg TN. This road has so much to offer in the way of nature walks, hikes, mountain views, and historic structures, that we devote a much longer article (with great photos) about the Newfound Gap Road experience.

Mt. LeConte

One of the Park's finest features - from afar or up close - Mt. LeConte hosts five great hiking trails to the top. One of the most popular hikes to Mt. LeConte is the Alum Cave Bluff Trail. Mt. LeConte also boasts the only lodging within the Park: Mt. LeConte Lodge (and cabins). Accessible only by trail and available only by reservation, Mt. LeConte Lodge and the views of the Smokies Mt. LeConte affords the hardy hiker are well worth the effort. Call 423.429.5704 for reservations, which should be made several months in advance.

Old Growth Forests

Saved from the huge lumber companies when the Park was established, some virgin stands of old-growth trees exist in the Great Smokies. The American Forests organization reports that the Smokies contain 21 national champion sized trees. Will Blozan, a North Carolina arborist has discovered 30 champion-sized trees throughout the southern Appalachians. The Greenbrier section of the Park is home to several beauties. For example, there's a black cherry that has a circumference of 210 inches and a northern red oak measuring 257 inches.

Appalachian Trail

Sixty nine of the 2,015 miles that make up the Appalachian Trail cross the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains, serving as a border between Tennessee and North Carolina. The AT serves as a backbone to which several major Smokies hiking trails connect. Learn more about the Appalachian Trail.

Wildflower Pilgrimage

The 53rd annual Wildflower Pilgrimage will be held 21-27 April 2003. Conducted by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, the Pilgrimage consists of nearly 100 guided long and short walks, auto tours, talks and demonstrations to view wildflowers, trees, ferns, geology, and more. You don't have to be a biology major to appreciate this event - it's designed for the average Park visitor. The cost is normally $8 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 13 are free. Write GSMNP, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 or call 423.436.1200.

Horseback Riding

Despite the damage horses do to trails, horseback riding is still supported in the Great Smoky Mountains. Both drive-in camps and horses-for-hire are available.