Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From majestic mountaintops to lush forests and untouched wilderness, experience the best of the Smokies with Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas ranging from one day in the park to a week-long trip The best hikes in the Great Smokies: Detailed hike descriptions with mileage, duration, elevation gains, and difficulty ratings, plus individual trail maps and options for backpackers Experience the outdoors: Cruise along Newfound Gap Road for epic views from scenic overlooks and watch "smoky" mists rise up through the valleys. Spot local wildlife like 700-pound elk, black bears, and vast herds of white-tailed deer. Savor the refreshing solitude of a night camping under the stars or enjoy a twinkling light show from Elkmont's synchronous fireflies. Trek a segment of the Appalachian Trail, wander through remnants of the region's historic settlements, or try your hand at fly-fishing Take a break: Unwind after a day of adventure at one of the trendy craft breweries that earned Asheville the title of "Beer City USA." Head to Dollywood for square-dancing, catching a show, or gliding down the lazy river at Splash Country. Soak in the sweet sounds of Tennessee's music scene, sample some fiery moonshine, or shop for Appalachian folk art How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, and tours Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, and more, both inside and outside the park Helpful resources on Covid-19 and traveling to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expertise and know-how: Explore the park with nature lover and Smoky Mountains expert Jason Frye Find your adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Moon. Hitting more of North America's national parks? Check out Moon USA National Parks. Road-tripping? Try Moon Drive & Hike Appalachian Trail or Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Annually millions of people admire the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's primeval beauty - towering peaks, sparkling cascades, virgin forests, and remarkable variety of wildflowers and shrubs. One of the nation's most popular national parks did not just "come to be" a logical and natural development on federally-owned land. Instead, it was the first national park to be acquired from private owners and given by the people to the federal government. Establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park climaxed an unprecedented crusade that is a story of almost fanatic dedication to a cause, as well as one of frustration, despair, political bias, and even physical violence.

Moon Travel Guides: Find Your Adventure From majestic mountaintops to lush forests and untouched wilderness, take in the best of the Smokies with Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park features: Itineraries for every timeline and budget, ranging from one day in the park to a week-long trip, including: Best of the Smokies, Family Fun, Escape the Crowds, and Best Hikes Strategies for getting around the Great Smoky Mountains, avoiding crowds, and exploring the less-visited areas of the park In-depth coverage of gateway cities and towns in both Tennessee and North Carolina, including Gatlinburg, Asheville, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville, as well as worthwhile stops like Cherokee, Bryson City, and Maggie Valley Full-color, vibrant photos and detailed maps throughout Expert tips for travelers looking to go hiking, biking, zip-lining, rafting, and more, plus essential packing and health and safety information The top activities and unique ideas for exploring the park: Cruise along Newfound Gap Road for epic views and scenic overlooks, try your hand at fly-fishing, and enjoy the refreshing solitude of a night camping under the stars. Hike to beautiful waterfalls, catch a glimpse of the buzzing fireflies, and sample a little local moonshine. Visit remnants of the region's historic settlements, spot local wildlife, or explore the bustling nearby cities Valuable insight from nature lover and Smoky Mountains aficionado Jason Frye Honest advice on where to stay inside and outside the park, including the best spots to pitch a tent, park your RV, or relax at an upscale resort Up-to-date information on park fees, passes, and reservations Recommendations for families, LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, international visitors, travelers with disabilities, and traveling with pets Thorough background on the wildlife, terrain, culture, and history Staying in Tennessee? Try Moon Tennessee, Moon Nashville, or Moon Memphis. Making a road trip out of it? Try Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip. For full coverage of America's national parks, check out Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 National Parks.

Highlighted here is the most visited park in the United States. Captures the picturesque history of the region, its wildlife, its flora, and its endangered species.

Stunning photographs celebrate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, and Shenandoah Valley and National Park. Extending from Virginia to northern Georgia, the Blue Ridge Mountains include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, and Shenandoah National Park, which includes the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive. Within this region are the world renowned Biltmore Estate, Luray Caverns, Natural Bridge, and Grandfather Mountain. The Blue Ridge range contains the highest mountains on the East Coast, with 125 peaks above 5,000 feet in elevation. The scenic roadways, spectacular overlooks, and numerous rocky crags offer magnificent views of layer after layer of mountains rolling off into the distance. Hiking trails lead to wild mountain summits, valley streams, and waterfalls. Each season offers a fresh perspective, from fall colors and winter snow and ice to spring and summer flowers and storms. In addition, numerous homes, barns, schools, churches, and mills have been protected and preserved throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a picturesque look at Appalachian life in past centuries. To appreciate the wonders of this region through the lens of a well-known master photographer is like exploring it for the first time.

A Roadside Guide to the Geology of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Harry L. Moore "In this informative, readable, altogether useful guide, Harry Moore adds another dimension to our understanding and appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains. He acquaints us skillfully with the geologist's terminology and shows us how to read for ourselves the ancient language of the rocks." --Wilma Dykeman "Everybody loves the plants, trees, birds, mammals, and even the reptiles, amphibians, and insects of the Great Smokies. But rocks are not less fascinating, alive in their own way, the foundation of all the rest of life. So I think it's great to have this guide as a companion on the trail." --Michael Frome Guiding the reader on five popular driving tours and five key hiking trails, this nontechnical guidebook indicates not-to-be-missed points of interest and describes the geological evolution associated with them. Tour maps are complemented by annotated road log commentaries and copious drawings and photographs to aid in identifying geological phenomena even when these are obscured by the mountains' lush vegetation. A helpful introduction, focusing on the geologic history of the Smokies, illuminates basic terms and concepts, while a glossary, list of suggested readings, and detailed index further enhance the book's utility. Unique in providing a crisp, comprehensive summary of the Smoky Mountains' geology, A Roadside Guide will serve as a basic planning guide for scenic road trips and hiking trips in the Smokies. Harry L. Moore holds a master's degree in geology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Since 1972 he has been a geologist at the Tennessee Department of Transportation.