Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the United States' most-visited national park, attracting over 11 million annual visitors to its free-admission attractions and natural wonders.
The park, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located along Tennessee's border with North Carolina and derives its name from the perpetual bluish haze that surrounds its mountains' upper elevations. Its 522,000 acres are home to iconic attractions like the 6,643-foot-elevation Clingmans Dome observation tower, and the preserved historic Appalachian cabins and structures of the Cades Cove region. More than 850 miles of hiking trails traverse the park's lands, leading to beautiful waterfalls like Grotto Falls, which features a walk-behind pathway. Area tourists can stay in resort towns like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee, which are home to lovely hotels, rental cabins, and family-friendly shows and attractions.
107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-436-1200, Map