Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer’s Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sprawls over more than half a million acres of some of the eastern United States’ tallest peaks and wildest lands. Its central location and diversity of life and landscapes make it Appalachia’s premier destination. The Smokies encompasses the North Carolina/Tennessee border, bisected by nearly 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The park is home to soaring vistas, hidden hollows, sparkling waterways, the remains of historic settlements, and an abundance of wildlife that includes black bear, elk, and other species. Indeed, the Smokies is easily the most visited national park in the United States (although it falls behind Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Blue Ridge Parkway for as the National Park Service’s most visited site), with more than 12 million visitors in 2024 alone. The park’s sheer size and variety of access points allow visitors who plan ahead to find plenty of peace and solitude even during the Smokies’ busiest season. Plan your next adventure with our Explorer’s Guide to the Parks.