The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire country. The park is in Tennessee and North Carolina and offers just about every type of terrain imaginable! There is something for everyone in the Smoky Mountains. People enjoy camping, cycling, hiking, and even kayaking in the park. Do you want to learn more about this popular national park?Check out these 10 things you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Annual Visitors
More than 12 million people visit the national park every year, making it the most visited park in the nation. One of the top reasons this park is so popular is because there’s no admission fee to get into the park, unlike many national parks in the west. You can enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains for free! However, visitors do have to pay a small parking fee.
2. Park Size
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers around 244,000 acres of Tennessee and 276,000 acres of North Carolina. This totals 520,000 acres, which equates to over 800 square miles. When you stay with us in Pigeon Forge, you’re just a short drive to the Tennessee side of the park!
3. Flora and Fauna
The national park has recognition as an International Biosphere Reserve and serves as home to approximately 4,000 plant species and 140 tree species in 5 forests. The 65 different animal species residing in the park include black bears, bobcats, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, groundhogs, red fox, red wolves, river otters, and wild boar. The park estimates the bear population at around 1,500. The park is also known as the unofficial salamander capital of the world, with over 30 species of salamanders calling this area home. Visitors love spotting all the different wildlife and gorgeous plants and wildflowers!
4. Precipitation
Did you know the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park receive an average of 85 inches of rain every year? These same areas get about 69 inches of snow every year, which equates to 6 feet!
5. Waterfalls
The national park is known for the many waterfalls you can hike or drive to. Some of the most impressive waterfalls to see while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains include:
– Abrams Falls
– Mingo Falls
– Grotto Falls
– Mouse Creek Falls
– Hen Wallow Falls
– Rainbow Falls
– Indian Creek/Toms Branch Falls
– Ramsey Cascades
– Juney Whank Falls
– Laurel Falls
6. Visibility
On average, visitors may clearly view distances up to 25 miles away. However, visibility varies due to weather conditions, causing elevated humidity levels that may appear as fog or mist. Either way, you’ll have an incredible view! If you hike to the top of the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, you can see as far as 100 miles on a clear day!
7. Forest Fires
Lightning naturally causes approximately two fires annually. Without endangering large portions of the park at any one time, rangers generally allow these fires because they enhance the local ecosystem. Rangers also practice controlled burning on small sections throughout the park.
8. Roads and Hiking Trails
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has around 400 miles of roadways. The majority are paved. A 32-mile length of road meandering through the park connects Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Cherokee, North Carolina. Newfound Gap Road has mountain streams, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks. Hikers find well over 800 miles of trails at their disposal. The many popular round-trip hiking trails extend anywhere from 3,000 feet to 16 miles.
9. Historical Buildings
Before becoming a national park, the land belonged to various communities where many families lived. Approximately 100 historic buildings date back to the 1800s remain standing in the park today. At the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center, guests may explore the Mountain Farm Museum. Once a homestead, the site features a barn, blacksmith shop, and a farmhouse along with an apple house, hen house, and springhouse. Structures scattered throughout the park include barns, cabins, and churches, in addition to farmhouses and schools.
10. Founding Fathers
Creating the park required financial backing, and John D. Rockefeller Jr. provided $5 million. The United States government handed over $2 million for the project. Private citizens residing in Tennessee and North Carolina combined efforts to acquire land for the park section by section.
Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Now that you know all there is to know about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s time to visit! Whether you want to go for a hike to one of the gorgeous waterfalls, go for a scenic drive along the Cades Cove Loop or go fishing, there is plenty to do in the Smoky Mountains. When you stay in our Pigeon Forge condos, not only will you be close to the park, but you’ll be near all the best attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. These include dinner shows, museums, theme parks and more!
Check out other things to do in Pigeon Forge while you’re here and start planning your trip.
