The Southern Appalachian mountains, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, were Cherokee lands until 1938, when almost 14,000 Cherokees were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. Today the Tribe’s 11,000 members live mostly on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, or Qualla Boundary, along the south side of the park. The reservation welcomes visitors, and the national park gateway town of Cherokee, North Carolina, is flush with learning experiences and amenities.
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Honor Indigenous History at These Parks
Roadtrippers4 places
There’s no shortage of day hikes and scenic drives to take in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but if you’re coming from the plateau, you’ll want to enter at the park’s Cherokee entrance. From here, drive the Newfound Gap Road, climb Clingmans Dome, or choose a moderate day hike, like Alum Cave Trail.
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A Highlands-Cashiers Plateau Road Trip
Roadtrippers14 places
S.C.A.R., also known by locals as the "Smokies Challenge Adventure Run," is an equally stunning — and epic — 70-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The adventure begins at Fontana Dam, the "tallest dam east of the Rockies," and ends near Interstate 40 at an unsuspecting trailhead along the road.
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10 Epic Trail Runs of the Southeast USA
FATMAP10 places
Appalachian lore and beauty are woven like a tapestry through this veiled playground. Streams that cascade and rest in pools are perfect for fending off summer’s dog days, while hikes show off this park’s diverse and beautiful vegetation. Spot deer, and occasionally black bears, along Cades Cove, or take the time to head out to Cataloochee to peer out on the park’s elk herds.
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Discover America's National Parks
National Park Foundation63 places
Home to some of the oldest mountains in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (declared in 1934) is the most visited national park in the US, and it’s easy to see why. Straddling two states – Tennessee and North Carolina – the park boasts more than 500,000 acres (200,000ha) of dense forests containing over 1,600 species of vegetation blanket the mountains and create a natural masterpiece like no other.
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Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA
Culture Trip11 places
Spot some iconic American wildlife as you cruise through Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Cades Cove Loop Road. A one-way, 11-mile loop through the park’s broad valley, this drive is one of the best ways to see the park’s wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, black bears, coyotes, and more. Make sure to give yourself enough time to complete the loop – at least 2 to 4 hours – and be courteous to other park visitors along the way!
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Fall Road Trips in National Parks
National Park Foundation9 places
Appalachian lore and beauty are woven like a tapestry through this veiled playground. Streams that cascade and rest in pools are perfect for fending off summer’s dog days, while hikes show off this park’s diverse and beautiful vegetation. Spot deer, and occasionally black bears, along Cades Cove, or take the time to head out to Cataloochee to peer out on the park’s elk herds.
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National Parks Perfect for Play
National Park Foundation14 places
Winter is a great time to stop by one of America’s most-visited parks, as this is the least busy season. Even when higher elevations at Great Smoky are covered in snow and roads through mountain passes close, many trails and roads in the foothills are accessible. Enjoy a year-round fishing, hiking, camping, touring historic sites, and outdoor education.
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National Park Winter Wonderlands
National Park Foundation15 places