Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, The Smoky Mountains National Park is 520,000 acres and spans across Tennessee and North Carolina border. The Mountains in the park can range from approximately 875 feet to 6,643 feet above sea level. The Great Smoky Mountains are named for the large mist that seems to blanket the tops of the mountains. The Cherokee call the mountains shaconage, meaning “place of the blue smoke”. If you are going to spend the weekend in the park there are a few things you have to do while you are there. Hiking any of the trails through the mountains, touring the historic buildings and log cabins, and taking advantage of the snow covered mountains are all musts for visiting The Smokies. The Great Smoky Mountains National…

world’s oldest mountain range in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I explored the mountains that shaped America’s History. I saw the sights and sounds of this beautiful, diverse park. It may not have the tallest mountains, but they offer beautiful views, and are home to many animals. Also, it is the most visited national park because of its closeness to many people in the United States. My trip to the Smoky Mountains was a trip of a lifetime. Upon a beautiful pine tree, I saw an engraved…

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the Great Smoky Mountains, is an ideal place for vacations. A small town, with around four thousand residents, Gatlinburg draws more than 11 million visitors a year. Some of the best things about Gatlinburg, Tennessee are the beautiful autumn sceneries, the delicious desserts to try, and the unlimited activities available. One of the most astonishing experiences is standing at an overlook and seeing mountains glazed with fall colors. Gatlinburg is home to…

Mountains of high and valley low, the Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most intriguing parks to learn about and to discover what the park’s true purpose is. From the park's first primitive ages, to present day, the view of the National Park has changed through the test of time. The different climates and changes to the environment are absorbing and important to not only the people who act as caretakers of the park, but the people who admire the beauties of the park as well. This park is one…

The Great Smoky Mountains I had never smelt the mountains before. When I was planning my trip everyone who had been there before said, “Oh, that smell! You’ll never forget it!”. I always knew it would be an unforgettable trip I just never thought I would crave the mountains afterwards. I can still feel the cool, crisp air that I inhaled when I walked to the porch to watch the sunrise. I can still taste the freshly brewed coffee, doused in chocolate creamer, as I brought myself to rest on the…

There is no greater retreat on earth than a weekend spent in a Smoky Mountain cabin. This relatively affordable abode comes in a few different forms ranging from exquisitely luxurious to rustically quaint. No matter what your tastes, you are certain to find a Smoky Mountain cabin that is right for your vacation. The first step to your own Smoky Mountain getaway is as close as your computer. I found a lot of resources that will point anyone looking for a romantic retreat like this on the…

crimson sumacs to red sweet gums and golden hickories, incredible colors blanket Tennessee hills, highways and byways. While you may prefer driving to view the lovely leaves, alternate vehicles such as bicycles, helicopters, boats, hot air balloons and trains are available. Hiking and horse trails and are located in state parks. Piggy-backing leaf peeping with fun activities is trending now. We've compiled Nashvillian's pet…

visitation of national parks, they also provide a source of jobs. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone provided 12,759 jobs in 2014 (Cullinane Thomas, C., C. Huber, and L. Koontz). These jobs helped with keeping the park open to the ten million people that visited the park in 2014. It is important that Congress allocates more funds for the National Park Service because of the jobs that these parks provide. If Congress reduces the funding for national parks, like it has in recent years,…

The most recent example of a devastating wildfire occurred in East Tennessee in November of 2016, involving the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. A devastating combination of extreme drought conditions, present throughout East Tennessee in October and November of 2016, combined with high winds and a lack of proper monitoring of what started out as a small fire in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, became an unprecedented catastrophe for the city of Gatlinburg and portions of Pigeon…

're grateful for is this round, aged, beautiful earth that you have the freedom to trek along. Today is National Take a Hike Day. Nobody knows whether this day is designed for people to bellow "take a hike" to those who deserve it, or venture into the wilderness for some healthy, much-needed exercise. Aladdin Travel interprets it as the latter. What better time to embrace nature than late autumn? Leaves transform from bright greens to light yellows and dark ambers before they shrivel and…