Part of the Appalachian Highlands, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee covers more than half a million acres. Its lush forests are home to thousands of species of wildlife and a range of elevations that vary from a mere 900 feet to over 6,600 feet.
The park includes several peaks topping 6,000 feet, including Mount Le Conte, a favorite for visitors and home to the highest guest lodge in the Eastern U.S. While Le Conte offers an incredible vertical climb, the highest point in the park is actually Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). From the 50-foot observation tower atop this peak, you have a breathtaking, unobstructed view across thousands of acres of ancient forest.
With more than 850 miles of trails—including 70 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail—the park is a hiker’s paradise. One of my favorite routes is the climb to Chimney Tops, where the twin peaks offer a fabulous perspective on the valleys below. Another staple is the trail to Laurel Falls; its 80-foot drop provides a sense of scale often compared to the iconic falls of the West.
Beyond the footpaths, the park is a hub for cycling—especially the loop at Cades Cove—and horseback riding from the park’s four rental stables. For the angler, there are over 700 miles of streams teeming with rainbow and brook trout.
This abundance is fueled by the park’s generous rainfall, which ranges from 55 inches in the valleys to nearly 90 inches on the highest peaks. This creates a temperate rainforest environment where you can find over 200 species of birds and dozens of mammals, including the iconic black bear. Whether in the mid-60s of summer or the crisp 20-degree air of winter, the Smokies remain the perfect venue for those who feel the pull of the mountains.
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