- States: NC, TN
- NPCA Region: Southeast
- Est. Date: 1926
Air & Climate Data
View the Polluted Parks 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.
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Press Release
Parks Group Celebrates Staffer Named North Carolina Wildlife Conservationist Of The Year
Jeff Hunter has led NPCA’s efforts to protect iconic national parks like Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian…
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Press Release
Environmental Coalition Open Letter Demands Updated Pollution Regulations in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management must hold polluters accountable to the law and ensure our national parks and wilderness areas and their rangers, visitors, wildlife and surrounding communities have…
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 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 Parks Group Supports Modest Fee Proposal at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Press Release Parks Group Supports Modest Fee Proposal at Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fees can help address parks’ financial challenges, but Congress must continue to invest in our parks, helping support these amazing places that millions of Americans visit and enjoy each year.
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Read more about Smokies Wildlife Will Soon Have Options for Safe Passage in the Pigeon River Gorge
Blog Post Smokies Wildlife Will Soon Have Options for Safe Passage in the Pigeon River Gorge We can keep ourselves and wildlife safe — if we’re willing to prioritize these types of solutions for our roadways.
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Read more about Safe Passages
Magazine Article Safe Passages A new children’s book shows how highways can harm wildlife — and puts a spotlight on a deadly stretch of road near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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National parks are a great escape for the human mind and spirit. Not only does it help the environment (obviously through air, life cycle, animals) but it helps society. Children who grow up going to different parks are more caring and open minded than those who don't. Everyone should experience multiple parks in their lifetime. — Alissa
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Read more about Say Bees!
Magazine Article Say Bees! Sam Droege’s stunning photos of national park insects are the bee’s knees. (And all the other parts, too.)
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Read more about A Liking for Lichens
Magazine Article A Liking for Lichens Why devote a decade to documenting the lichens of Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Read more about Love Is in the Parks
Blog Post Love Is in the Parks 5 NPCA staff members share their national park love stories.
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Read more about 8 Easy Adventures for Hikers of All Fitness Levels
Blog Post 8 Easy Adventures for Hikers of All Fitness Levels New independent film features a series of low-effort, high-reward hikes for finding joy in the outdoors.
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Read more about Water, Smoke, Spirit, Forest, Ghost, Land, Sky
Magazine Article Water, Smoke, Spirit, Forest, Ghost, Land, Sky A photographic essay on Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Read more about Victorious!
Magazine Article Victorious! 21 conservation triumphs from the past 100 years.
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Read more about The Ranger Project
Magazine Article The Ranger Project The stargazers, climbers, paddlers, teachers, naturalists, historians, scientists, rescuers, protectors and dreamers of the National Park Service.
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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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