Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee/North Carolina, United States

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is a lush, mist-shrouded sanctuary that holds the title of America’s most visited national park. Encompassing over 522,000 acres of ancient mountains, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls, it’s a haven for biodiversity—home to more than 19,000 documented species and possibly tens of thousands more yet to be discovered.

The park is famed for its scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop, where visitors can spot black bears, deer, and wild turkeys amid historic cabins and churches. Hikers can explore over 800 miles of trails, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail and the challenging climb to Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point at 6,643 feet.

Beyond its natural beauty, the Smokies preserve a rich cultural heritage, with remnants of early Appalachian settlements and Cherokee history woven into the landscape.