Sometimes, the best experiences in life really are free. Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses 800 square miles in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina and is the showcase for some of the most inspiring natural and cultural treasures that the Southern Appalachians have to offer. The abundant plant and animal life and historical significance, coupled with its accessibility, makes the national park the most visited in the nation with over 9 million visitors annually. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected land areas east of the Rocky Mountains. These rugged and seemingly never-ending mountains offer 500,000 acres of forest, spectacular views of undulating ridges draped in hazy-blue, "smoky" fog, and vivid reminders of the Appalachians' early pioneers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. A unique sanctuary with massive mountain ridges, deep-cleft valleys and unspoiled streams help create a world all its own. These entirely different ecosystems within the park support more than 4,000 species of plants, 130 trees, 65 mammals, 230 birds, and more species of salamanders than are found anywhere else on earth. Congress established the park in 1934, and its value and importance is now recognized around the world as an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site
For hikers, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a little slice of heaven. With 900 miles of beautiful trails, there are extraordinary wilderness pathways for beginners and advanced hikers. In addition, one of the world's greatest journeys - The Appalachian Trail - winds its way through the park as part of a continuous marked footpath that goes from Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain, GA, a distance of about 2,160 miles. As part of its 371-mile trek through Tennessee and North Carolina, the Appalachian Trail reaches its highest point, Clingman's Dome.
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest spot in the Smokies. A forest of spruce and fir covers the top, but an observation platform that looks like an alien spaceship rises above the evergreens to provide an unparalleled view of the park (www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com).
Situated quietly along the northern border of the Park is Gatlinburg, TN, Its central location provides the ultimate gateway to the Smoky Mountains while Gatlinburg's family-friendly atmosphere offers the perfect location to begin any National Park foray.
Gatlinburg offers a one-stop destination for four-season fun. This historic mountain village is a beautiful tract of modern day convenience nestled within one of the last tracts of unspoiled wilderness in the eastern United States.
Explore the 1.3 million gallon Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, ride the country's largest aerial tram to the top of Ober Gatlinburg, shop at over 400 unique shops, galleries and boutiques or travel the 8-mile loop of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, the largest gathering of independent artisans in the country.
Gatlinburg and the Smokies offer family fun and adventure any time of the year. For more information on the Gatlinburg area, visit www.GatlinburgVacationStore.com.
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