Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location:  North Carolina and Tennessee

Established:  June 15, 1934

Size:  521,896 acres

- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established on June 15, 1934 after overcoming numerous economic, cultural, and political issues. Today the park is the largest protected land area east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also the most visited national park in the American Park System. The main entrances are located along the US Highway 441

- The Smoky Mountains are among the oldest on Earth. Ice Age glaciers stopped their southward journey just short of these mountains, which became a junction of southern and northern flora. Rhododendron and mountain laurel thrust from the weathered rocks. Amid the woodland and craggy peaks bloom more than 1,600 species of flowering plants, some found only here. Shrubs take over in places, creating tree-free zones called heath balds, laurel slicks (because of the shiny leaves), or just plain hells (because they are so hard to get through).

* Interesting Facts

- The park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

- Many people who live in the Eastern third of the U.S. can reach the park in a day.

- The Great Smoky Mountains are home to over 100 native species of trees, more than are found in northern Europe.

- At 480 feet, Fontana Dam, on the southwestern boundary of the park, is the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains.