Travel South Magazine TSM_digit_replica_fall_2017-2 | Page 18

GREAT
Smoky Mountains
National Park is the
mo st visited park
in the united states .
With over 10 million people flocking to the park every
year, it beats out both Yellowstone and Yosemite by
nearly triple the amount of visitors.
The park sits on the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Moun-
tains, which is a part of Blue Ridge, and both extend as a
division of the greater Appalachian Mountains. In the cen-
ter of the park, you’ll find the border that separates North
Carolina and Tennessee, which makes for a great local va-
cation no matter which way you’re coming from. The park’s
area is over 500,000 acres, and is home to a variety of
wildlife.
The vast differences in elevation throughout the mountain
ranges make for great diversity among the park’s inhabitants.
Because the park has both a subtropical lowland climate, and
old growth forests with steep slopes and cooler temperatures,
animal sightings can range from a black bear to a bat, depend-
ing on where you’re at in the park.
Other species include bobcats, raccoons, foxes, otters, skunks,
white-tailed deer, coyotes, woodchucks, and many more. Park
officials estimate that there may be more than 50,000 undocu-
mented species within the park’s boundaries. There are plenty
of woods to explore within the park, as it is home to more than
100 different types of trees and well over 5,000 plant species.
Towns that surround the park house museums, landmarks, hand-
crafted souvenirs, events, lodging, park tours, and a variety of other
adventures, so be sure to check out all of the attractions in the area.
Cherokee, North Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee are the two
closest cities on the border, and they welcome visitors year-round.
The park also has an array of historical landmarks and sites to visit, as
well as natural wonders, like caves, waterfalls, and ravines. Historical
attractions include Cades Cove, among others, which displays original
buildings like log cabins, churches, and even barns. Take a hike or go
for a bike ride on one of the many different trails that usually lead to a
spectacular endpoint with a view fit for a picnic and fantastic pictures.
ove
Cades C