- States: NC, TN
- NPCA Region: Southeast
- Est. Date: 1926
Air & Climate Data
View the 2019 ReportVisibility
Moderate Concern
Health
Moderate Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate
Significant Concern
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.
Issues
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Magazine Article
Valley of Memories
Their land was taken to create Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each year, their descendants return to reconnect.
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 The 12 Most-Visited Winter Parks
Blog Post The 12 Most-Visited Winter Parks National park sites can provide an ideal adventure or an escape from the cold during the winter months.
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Read more about Worth More Than a Thousand Words
Blog Post Worth More Than a Thousand Words How taking pictures of wildlife could help bears and elk — and people — survive outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Read more about Fleeting Beauty: 9 Natural Phenomena You Won’t Want to Miss
Blog Post Fleeting Beauty: 9 Natural Phenomena You Won’t Want to Miss National parks offer remarkable experiences no matter the hour or the season. Sometimes, though, it helps to be in the right place at the right time to witness something extraordinary. You have to think ahead to catch these nine ephemeral delights — so start planning now!
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Read more about Staff Picks: 11 Spectacular Roads for Riding Your Bike
Blog Post Staff Picks: 11 Spectacular Roads for Riding Your Bike From leisurely rides to challenging climbs, national parks offer riding opportunities for cyclists of all abilities. Check out top recommendations and advice from NPCA enthusiasts on where to go and what to see.
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they maintain areas that provide an economical way for all of us to reconnect to nature and enjoy an active lifestyle, which has been shown to be important to the physical and mental health of our nation's citizens. — Jennifer
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Read more about The 10 Most-Visited Parks — and Less-Visited Side Trips
Blog Post The 10 Most-Visited Parks — and Less-Visited Side Trips It's no surprise millions of people flock to America's most celebrated national parks. But did you know about these 10 lesser-known sites nearby?
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Read more about Wildfire Relief Funds Will Support Great Smokies Recovery Efforts
Press Release Wildfire Relief Funds Will Support Great Smokies Recovery Efforts Donation to the Friends of the Smokies will support ongoing local recovery efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Read more about Forest Lights
Magazine Article Forest Lights Are the synchronous fireflies of Great Smoky Mountains getting too popular?
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Read more about Not-So-Beaten Paths: 11 Lesser-Known Hikes in Popular National Parks
Blog Post Not-So-Beaten Paths: 11 Lesser-Known Hikes in Popular National Parks Hit the trail and avoid the crowds! NPCA staff selected 11 lesser-known hikes in some of the country’s most popular parks.
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Read more about A Yogi’s Guide to the National Parks
Blog Post A Yogi’s Guide to the National Parks Experiencing America’s natural wonders in 9 poses
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Read more about 9 Wildlife Success Stories
Blog Post 9 Wildlife Success Stories National parks provide critical habitat for a variety of animals—in some cases, they are the only places that threatened or endangered species have left to call home. If those species disappear from a part of the country, parks can play an important role in bringing them back. Here are nine animals that have been reintroduced to their native habitats in national parks.
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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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