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| Contents |
| Inhoud |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
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Introduction
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was created in 1934 as the 21st National Park.
It is located in southeast Tennessee and west North Carolina.
The Park is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains which are a part of the Appalachians. The highest point in the park is Clingmans Dome (2029 m,6643 ft.) There are many opportunities for walking or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountians National Park. More than 800 miles of trails will lead you through the forests and meadows and along streams. You will find self-guiding trails in the park with a length of a few miles. Also the Appalachian Trail passes through the park. The Appalachian Trail is an almost 3400 Km (2100 mi.) long trail which crosses 14 states. The trail starts in Georgia and ends in Maine .
Visiting the park
There are three visitor centers in the park.
Near the North entrance (Gatlinburg) is the Sugarlands Visitor center and near the South entrance (Cherokee) is the Oconaluftee visitor center.
Both visitor centers are open all year.
There third visitor center is located in the Cades Cove area in the western part of the park and is open from mid-April through October.
At the visitor centers you can get all the information you want.
They also offer exhibits and and films
The main road through the park is the Newfound Gap Road (US-441).
This scenic road connects the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers.
At the Sugarlands visitor center starts the Little River Road wich leads to the Cades Cove area.
Campgrounds
Within the park are 10 developed campgrounds with a total of almost one sites.
The campgrounds at Cades Cove, Elkmont and Smokemont are open year round.
These three campground are often full during the summer season so reservations are recommended.
The other campgrounds are open from spring through October.
There are also some primitive backcountry camping sites (about 100 sites).
I have heard that the Balsam Mountain and Look Rock are both closed due to budget cuts.
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Vincinity
 Foothills Parkway Gatlinburg Pigeon Fork
Address
Superintendent
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg Tennessee 37738 Telephone (++)615-436-1200
Other resources
 National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- Welcome Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gorp Smoky Mountain Land Rod's Guide to the Smoky Mountains Home - Friends of the Smokies The Smokies Magazine The Great Smoky Mountains Railway
Hotel, motels and campgrounds
Gatlinburg: 7th Heaven Log Inn: Gatlinburg Smoky Mountains Golf Resort Bed & Breakfast Gatlinburg + Pigeon Forge:Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge's Finest Chalets and Cabins. Maggie Valley: The Abbey Inn Motel Maggie Valley: The Laurel Park Inn
Photos
SmokyPhotos - Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hundreds of photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and vicinity. Free screensavers, Outlook stationery and Windows wallpaper too!
Sources
My visit to the park in 1995. National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains official map and guide. American Park Network, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Copyright © 1996-2008 by Harrie Meeuwissen - (Disclaimer)
Last updated: jan 01, 2008 URL: http://www.hm-usa.com/np/greatsmoky.html Your resource for USA travel and tourism information - Great Smoky Mountains National Park |