- 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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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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Blog Post
Explore the Smokies
8 reasons to add Great Smoky Mountains National Park to your bucket list — from its biodiversity and bluish haze to long human history.
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 Votes are In: A Crowdsourced Adventure in the Smokies
Blog Post The Votes are In: A Crowdsourced Adventure in the Smokies What happens when social media followers select where to send two park adventurers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The couple enjoys an awesome itinerary — one you might want to replicate someday.
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Read more about Wildlife Protection Documentary Makes Film Festival Debut
Press Release Wildlife Protection Documentary Makes Film Festival Debut The Boone Docs Film Festival will feature short-form documentary films focusing on or from the Appalachian region, including The Search for Safe Passage, produced by NPCA and Wildlands Network.
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Read more about Great Smokies Superintendent Receives Award for Hikes for Healing Program
Press Release Great Smokies Superintendent Receives Award for Hikes for Healing Program In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many other Black Americans in 2020, Superintendent Cassius Cash created the Smokies Hikes for Healing program.
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Read more about Parks Group Celebrates Staffer Named North Carolina Wildlife Conservationist Of The Year
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 National Scenic Trail.
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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 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 Conservationists Unveil Blueprint for Protecting Wildlife and Drivers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Press Release Conservationists Unveil Blueprint for Protecting Wildlife and Drivers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park New research from NPCA and Wildlands Network identifies wildlife hotspots in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- and how to protect them.
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Read more about Environmental Coalition Open Letter Demands Updated Pollution Regulations in Alabama
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 clear skies and clean air to breathe.
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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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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 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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