Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The vast area is home to lush forests and a profusion of wildflowers that bloom all year. Streams, rivers, and waterfalls can be found on hiking trails that comprise a section of the Appalachian Trail. Clingmans Dome, the highest peak, has an observation tower that offers spectacular views of the mist-covered mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, with 14.1 million visitors expected in 2021.
The border between Tennessee and North Carolina runs through the center of the 522,427-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From prehistoric Paleo Indians through 19th-century European settlers, the mountains have a lengthy history of human settlement. Today, more than 10 million visitors visit the park each year to enjoy picturesque drives to Cades Cove or along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, as well as outdoor activities as hiking, biking, and fishing.
Pack a lunch for breathtaking treks to Abrams or Rainbow Falls, or cycle the Cades Cove Loop on Wednesdays from May to September, when the route is closed to traffic. Visit the Cades Cove Visitor Center to see the antique gristmill and Cable Mill. Visit Cades Cove Visitor Center to visit the ancient gristmill and Cable Mill, or Sugarlands Visitor Center to see wildlife displays, see a film on the park, and pick up unusual gifts in the gift store.
Location: North Carolina, United States
Best time to visit: the summer (June, July and August) and the fall
Price: $125 – $175 per person per day
Raking:
- #2 Best Places to Visit in the Carolinas
- #3 Best Places to Visit in Tennessee
- #5 Best Fall Vacations
Rating: 4.9/5.0, 43,833 Google reviews
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
