Great Smoky Mountains National Park

About Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are now part of the Cherokee home, and the park attracts more than nine million visitors each year, known worldwide as one of America's most popular national parks and monuments. The area is protected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park in the United States.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers about 1,500 miles of streams and protects more than 1.5 million acres of land and water. Most streams remain within their fish stocks and provide habitat for year-round caught species such as salmon, trout and other fish species. The park offers great outdoor experiences to visit, from hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and rafting to camping and fishing.

The park allows fishing in most streams, but certain streams are closed to fishing to protect endangered fish. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, fishing is not allowed in the summer months due to the high water levels in some streams.

Detailed information, including maps, maps of the park, wildlife information and information on camping and fishing, is available at the visitor centre and ranger stations.

Fishing licenses are not available in the park, but can be purchased in surrounding towns. Fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee requires special permits, and trout stamps are required. State licenses are valid outside the parks, so you must have a valid state license, such as the Tennessee Department of Fish and Wildlife (TNDFW), or a state license.

Residents 70 years and older can obtain a special permit from the state, residents 65 years and older can obtain a special permit from another state. No license is required, but you must have a valid license, such as a Tennessee Department of Fish and Wildlife (TNDFW) license or a state license.

Residents 70 years and older or persons 65 and older can obtain special permits from other states and special fishing licenses.

You are entitled to adult day care - restrictions and subject to other conditions, but you can be an adult during the day - restrictions on the day of your visit only.

The picnic area and picnic areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are open all year round.

Picnic areas are located along the coast, in coves to look forward to and in the main parking lot of the park.

Some picnic areas have gazebos, such as the chimney at Cades Cove, but other picnic areas are closed in winter. You can book a group up to five months in advance by calling 1 - 800 - 365 - 2267.

The pavilions in Twin Creeks cost $20 per use, but payment can be made in advance by calling 1-800-365-2267 or online. The fee for Twin Creek is $35 to $75, depending on the use and number of people in your group.

Remember that feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal in Great Smoky Mountain National Park and many other national parks in the United States. The Black Bear symbolizes the wildness of the Great Smokey Mountains and the beauty of its surroundings.

A bear's remarkable sense of smell can cause it to leave rubbish outside, food scraps on the floor or on barbecues. A bear that discovers human food or garbage eventually becomes active and moves inland. If a bear does not dispose of garbage properly or illegally feeds visitors, it can die. It can be killed by cars, injured by visitors, coughed up by the side of the road and even starved to death if it is not disposed of properly and illegally fed to visitors.

All picnic areas, including barbecues, floors and tables, must be thoroughly cleaned before eating.

Please do your part to protect the wildlife of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the health of its bears.

More than 850 kilometers of hiking trails criss-cross the Great Smoky Mountains, from easy to difficult. The Appalachian Trail runs for more than 70 miles along the park's high ridges, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the longest trail system in the world, offers over 2,000 miles of easy and difficult trails. Pets are not allowed on the trails, except dogs and children under 18 years.

Safety is important when exploring the hinterland, and camping inland requires a permit, as does camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Carry a map of the park, carry 2 small torches or head torches and always hike with another person.

Bring at least one pack of water, a pair of hiking shoes and a torch, and carry a bottle of water.

The water in the hinterland should be treated with the same care as in any other part of the park, such as the paths and waterfalls.

Wear shoes or boots that provide good ankle support and carry a small first aid kit such as gloves, a water bottle or a bottle of cold water.

With so many options, Smokies offers an enormous number of hiking opportunities, but you should be prepared for fast-changing conditions. Read the latest weather forecast and note that most of the park is considered moderate, with temperatures in the mid-90s for most days.

The distance from the parking lot to Le Conte is 10 miles, and the trail leads another 3.5 miles to the top of the Appalachian Trail. Inspiration Point offers more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and loss over a three-mile stretch. This includes a 2,500-foot ascent to the top of the mountain and a five-mile descent back down the mountain.

The hike is considered moderate, but in winter it can get icy and the hike leads through bare parts downhill. The path leads from the parking lot to the summit of Le Conte and then back down to Inspiration Point.

The azaleas explode in colour in early summer, and they still bloom in full bloom in late winter and early spring.

The 8 km round trip is considered strenuous and can be icy in winter, but the trail is accessible from Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed from December to March. On the Appalachian Trail, this hike leads up the rocky cliffs of the State Line ridge. This is the only way on the trail system of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, although Cledmans Dome Road is closed from November to December and March to April.

These are just a few suggestions, but these are the most popular walks in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the best for winter and summer.

Who would like to tackle more than 150 hiking trails in the region, can now become a member of the 900 Meiler Club. To order more information or buy a map, visit the Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore.