- States: NC, TN
- NPCA Region: Southeast
- Est. Date: 1926
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Unsatisfactory
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the country's most popular national park sites. It offers postcard-perfect views and plentiful wildlife.
World-renowned for its biodiversity, the beauty of its ancient mountains and its Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this southeastern gem is worth fighting the crowds to see. Seasonal offerings include colorful wildflowers in spring, rare synchronous fireflies in late May/early June and spectacular foliage in autumn.
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Magazine Article
Parks After Dark
National parks are offering a growing number of nighttime programs for visitors looking for novel experiences or those eager to avoid daytime crowds and rising temperatures.
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Blog Post
Thinking Like a Black Bear
NPCA works to preserve landscapes and wildlife in the East’s last fully connected wilderness with its Safe Passage initiatives.
My Park Story
Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Donna & Mike Take a Hike Seven years 59 Parks 295 Miles by foot, bike, canoe, horse and kayak 12 bear sightings 4 pairs of hiking boots 2 Prius cars and 1 hip replacement = One large item on our Bucket List accomplished.
More about Great Smoky Mountains
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Read more about Safe Passage: I-26 at the AT
NPCA at Work Safe Passage: I-26 at the AT Improving wildlife’s ability to safely cross Interstate 26 near the Appalachian Trail
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Read more about Helene Recovery, 7 Months After the Storm
Blog Post Helene Recovery, 7 Months After the Storm Recovery is underway at national park sites hit hard by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. We offer updates as visitors consider spring and summer travel.
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Read more about An Honorable Hike
Magazine Article An Honorable Hike Remembering veterans with wreaths at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Read more about Lost Jobs, Broken Hearts and Harms to National Parks
Blog Post Lost Jobs, Broken Hearts and Harms to National Parks Employees terminated from the National Park Service Feb. 14 speak out to share their stories, frustration and anger — and how the loss of their dream jobs will affect our national parks.
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Our national parks are our national treasure, to be enjoyed, preserved, and protected for generations to come! — Jaya
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Read more about Free Wheeling
Magazine Article Free Wheeling Dedicated advocates and innovative technology are taking national park access further than ever before.
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Read more about Helene: Facing Loss and the Blue Ridge Parkway’s ‘Most Tremendous Challenge’
Blog Post Helene: Facing Loss and the Blue Ridge Parkway’s ‘Most Tremendous Challenge’ As damage assessments continue, an NPCA staffer who lived through Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina reflects on the impact to residents and the Southeastern parks they love, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail.
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Read more about Poetry in Place
Magazine Article Poetry in Place With a series of poetic park installations and a new anthology, the U.S. poet laureate hopes to remind visitors and readers of their stake in the natural world.
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Read more about 10 Parks Getting a Boost Through the Great American Outdoors Act
Blog Post 10 Parks Getting a Boost Through the Great American Outdoors Act 2020’s historic investment continues to improve our national parks. Read about some of the latest maintenance and repair projects and why NPCA urges Congress to extend the act’s funding to finish the job.
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Read more about Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories
Fact Sheet Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories The Great American Outdoors Act is providing crucial funding – up to $6.65 billion over five years – to fix our national parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems and many more repair needs. This bill, along with other funding sources, is ensuring our parks can continue to welcome millions of visitors each year and protect the natural and cultural resources that tell our nation’s history.
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Read more about Clearing the Air in the Smokies
Blog Post Clearing the Air in the Smokies Great Smoky Mountains National Park is starting to win its decades-long fight against dangerous haze, adding hope to the park’s horizon.
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Read more about One Animal’s Trash…
Magazine Article One Animal’s Trash… Dung beetles perform invaluable ecological and janitorial services, but their influence has long been overlooked. In Great Smoky Mountains, researchers are finally giving much-deserved attention to the mighty insects.
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Read more about 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks
Blog Post 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks Listen to three up-and-coming songwriters perform amid nature on acoustic guitar — in the very national parks that inspired their work.
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Read more about Research Results and Mitigation Strategies
Report Research Results and Mitigation Strategies to Improve Wildlife Connectivity and Human Safety along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge
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Read more about Polluted Parks: How Dirty Air is Harming America’s National Parks
Report Polluted Parks: How Dirty Air is Harming America’s National Parks “Polluted Parks” graded the pollution-related damage in the 48 national parks required by the Clean Air Act to have the highest possible air quality.
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Read more about Center for State of the Parks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Report Center for State of the Parks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park In this report, the National Parks Conservation Association summarizes findings from an assessment by its State of the Parks program to describe the current condition of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s resources and the stewardship challenges ahead.
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