From mountain waterfalls to ice-cold streams running through rhododendron-laced valleys, the Smokies are full of crystal-clear swimming holes, easy and moderate hikes for all legs, and scenic drives.

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.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the area is incredibly awe-inspiring. Fall is a popular time to visit the Smokies, and with good reason: The changing colors are unlike anything you'll find anywhere else in the world. Avoid the crowds and still get awesome views by visiting in the summer or when everything is blooming in the spring.

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.

Great Smoky Mountains is consistently the most-visited national park in the country. Entrance to the park is free, but visitors will likely be charged parking fees starting in 2023. Cruise Cades Cove for historic sites and stunning views and tour the mysterious abandoned ghost town of Elkmont while you visit.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Accessible and surrounded by endless opportunities for play, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an ultimate vacation spot for families. Yes, you’ll find kid-friendly hikes such as the Kephart Prong Trail and Porters Creek, but your kids will be equally delighted by the popular tourist attractions found in the Tennessee gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

The Great Smoky Mountains are some of the wildest mountains in all of the Appalachian Range. High summits, deep valleys, rushing rivers, dense forests, and treeless balds make up an intricate landscape that’s best explored on foot.

Some of America’s oldest mountain ranges can be found at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 2021 saw the opening of a new trail that provides access for visitors of all abilities to the John Oliver Cabin. This half-mile, paved trail provides adequate space for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Be sure to contact the park for more details on activities and accessibility.

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.

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.