The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Americas Most Popular National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers so much to do it is no wonder that this national park between North Carolina and Tennessee is the most visited national park in the country and since there is so much to do year round due to the Smoky Mountains temperate weather many visitors to the park come more than once a year!
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Deer are throughout The Smoky Mountains National Park
Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains:
Since The Great Smokies Mountains National park has at least 1,800 resident Black Bears living in the national park, we suggest that you start your journey into the park by reading our Black Bear Safety Information Page. While close encounters with Black Bears can be dangerous, following a few basic safety rules can not only save your life, but the life of a bear as well.
North American Elk reintroduced into The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Once many North America Elk inhabited Appalachian Mountains and other regions throughout the eastern US, but over hunting and loss of habitat to man eliminated the last Elk long before the 1900's. The national Park service has reintroduced 52 elk back into the Smoky Mountains starting in 2001. Found out where to see these majestic 500 to 700 pound creatures who are roaming freely in the park and what safety rules to observe on our Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains page.
Hiking in the Smokies:
One of the most popular pastimes in the National Park and all throughout the Smokies is Hiking. Trails are available for hikers of all skill and age levels. Learn more about this wonderful outdoor activity on our Smokies Hiking Page. Enjoy beautiful scenery and fresh air year round and who knows, get in shape and maybe lose a few pounds while hiking!
Fishing in the Smoky Mountains:
Fishing in the streams, creeks and rivers that are throughout the park is another very popular pastime drawing anglers from around the world to try their luck. It is important that before you go fishing in the park that you know the Great Smoky Mountain Parks Fishing Regulations.
You will also find interesting information about the local fishing safety and etiquette tips and guidelines as ways to preserve this sport on our fishing in the Smokies tips page. For identification of different fish that are found in the park see our Smoky Mountain fish identification page. Now that you know what you need to do in order to fish in the park and what the sport fish look like, find out where to find fish in the Smoky Mountain National Park
Horseback riding in the Smokies:
Whether you rent a horse in one of the parks stables or bring your own horse to the national park you are sure to have a good time on the more than 550 miles of horse trails in the park. Your Smokies has information on camping with horses in the park and horseback riding regulations.
Not willing or able to ride a horse on your own? Well you can still enjoy the parks equestrian experience by taking a horse drawn buggy ride through Cades Cove.
Ogles Cabin in winter Roaring Fork - Gatlinburg TN. New Hybrid Park Service Vehicle - Cades Cove TN.
Smoky Mountain National Park Areas:
Cades Cove:
Cades Cove Home Page
Cades Cove Biking and Bike Rentals
Cades Cove Driving Tour Part 1
Cades Cove Driving Tour Part 2
Cades Cove Driving Tour Part 3
Cades Cove Driving Tour Part 4
Cades Cove History
Cades Cove 1960's Driving Tour
Special Notes for Cades Cove:
- Cades Cove Visitor Center hours 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Cades Cove Campground becomes self-registration with a reduced number of available campsites for winter on November 1st
- Cades Cove Campground Store is open
- Cades Cove Riding Stables is open
- Parsons Branch Road From Cades Cove to Route 129 is open
- Rich Mountain Road from Cades Cove to Townsend Tennessee is open
- Cades Cove picnic areas remain all year
Anthony Creek
Anthony Creek area information
Special Notes for Anthony Creek area:
- Abrams Creek Campgrounds is open
- Anthony Creek Horse Camp is open
Appalachian Trail NC and TN
Appalachian Trail information
Balsam Mountain NC
Balsam area information
Special Notes on Balsam Area:
- Balsam Mountain/Heintooga Roads will open May 9th
- Balsam Mountain campgrounds will open May 9th
Big Creek NC
Big Creek area information
Special Notes on Big Creek area:
- Big Creek Campgrounds are open
- Big Creek Horse Camp are open
- Big Creek picnic areas will remain open through the winter
Cataloochee NC
Cataloochee area information
Special Notes on Cataloochee area:
- Cataloochee Campgrounds are open
- Cataloochee Horse Camp is open
Chimneys Tops TN
Chimneys Tops area information
Special Notes on Chimneys area:
- Chimney Tops picnic areas remain open all year
Clingmans Dome NC
Special Notes on Clingmans Dome area:
- The road to Clingmans Dome opens April 1st
Cosby TN
Cosby area information
Special Notes on Cosby area:
- Cosby Campgrounds is open
- Cosby picnic areas remain open year round
Deep Creek NC
Deep Creek area information
Special Notes on Deep Creek area:
- Deep Creek Campgrounds will open May 9th
- Deep Creek picnic areas remain open all year
Elkmont TN
Elkmont area information
Special Notes on Elkmont area:
- Elkmont Campgrounds are open
Forney Creek
Forney Creek area information
Gatlinburg TN
Gatlinburg area information
- Gatlinburg Visitor Center (at the Traffic light #3 in downtown Gatlinburg) hours are from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Gatlinburg Visitor Center (on the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge) hours are from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Greenbrier TN
Greenbrier area information
Special Notes on Greenbrier area:
- Greenbrier picnic areas remain open year round
Hazel Creek
Hazel Creek area information
Lakeshore NC
Lakeshore area information
Lookrock TN
Lookrock area information
Special Notes on Lookrock area:
- Look Rock Campgrounds will open May 9th
Metcalf TN
Metcalf area information
Special Notes on Metcalf area:
- Metcalf picnic areas remain open year round
Mount Le Conte
Mount Le Conte area information
Special Notes on Mount Le Conte area:
- Le Conte Lodge is now open for the season
Noland Creek
Noland Creek area information
Oconaluftee NC
Oconaluftee area information
Special Notes on Oconaluftee area:
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center March and April hours are from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Roaring Fork TN
Roaring Fork area information
Special Notes on Roaring Fork area:
- The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is open
Round Bottom
Round Bottom area information
Special Notes on Round Bottom area:
- Round Bottom Horse Camp is open
- Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road is open
Smokemont NC
Smokemont area information
Special Notes on Smokemont area:
- Smokemont Campground is now open
- Smokemont Riding Stables are closed for winter
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables TN
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables area information
Special Notes on Smoky Mountain Riding Stables area:
- Smoky Mountain Riding Stables are open
Sugarland TN
Sugarland area information
Special Notes on Sugarland area:
- Sugarlands Visitor Center April and May hours 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sugarland's Horseback Riding Stables are closed for winter
Tremont TN
Tremont area information
Tow String NC
Tow String area information
Special Notes for Tow String area:
- Tow String Horse Camp is open
Townsend TN
Special Notes on Townsend area:
- Townsend Visitor Center April and May hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
20 mile NC
20 mile area information
More Smoky Mountain Park and Area Information:
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This small exotic insect is considered by scientists to be the greatest threat to the National Park today. Find out more about the Hemlock woolly adelgid and what you can do to help.
Friends Of Smokies
The park system is seriously under funded and need volunteers to help with education, cleanup and maintenance and funding. Help by joining the Friends Of Smokies.
Find out more about how this great organization makes the countries greatest national park even better by visiting our Friends of Smokies page.
Accessibility Guide for The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In the Your Smokies Great Smoky Mountains National Park Handicapped Accessibility Guide there is information on visitor centers accessibility, handicapped parking, motor trails, nature and hiking trails, campgrounds, horseback riding, horse camping, picnic area accessibilityand other park activity's accessibility for persons who are disabled.
National Park Service Rangers and Organizations Information
On our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service phone numbers - contact page you will find phone numbers, links and contact information for the GSMNP's campgrounds, visitor centers, enforcement rangers, horseback riding stables, the national park service headquarters main number and information for organizations that work within and support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Official Park Service Web Page
We at Your Smokies strive to offer you our reader the most up to date information on the Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding areas in the Smokies, the Official Park Service web page is also a great resource worth checking out.
Free Web cams in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park:
There are 2 live web cameras in the Smoky Mountain National Park that you can view year round. Watch spring unfold, the fall riot of colors in the tress and bushes, and when frost or snow blankets the ground in the winter.
The first Great Smoky Mountain National Park Web Cam is located in the south east corner of the park in North Carolina on Purchase Knob and the second is located in the south west corner of the park in Tennessee within a few miles of Cades Cove on Look Rock.
