SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Founded on June 15, 1934, nearly 80 percent of the forest was destroyed by logging when it was first made a national park.
Thanks to conservation efforts it is now one of the most visited national parks in the country with nearly 900 miles of trails, a wide variety of wildlife and natural beauty to see for every season.
Ready to explore? Here are 10 of the Smokies' most popular spots.
Charlies Bunion: 8 miles round trip, accessible from Newfound Gap, strenuous difficulty
Alum Cave Bluffs: 5 miles round trip, continue for 5 miles more to just below the summit of Mount LeConte, moderate difficulty
Andrews Bald: 3.6 miles round trip, accessible from Clingmans Dome via Forney Ridge Trail, moderate difficulty
Rainbow Falls: 5.4 miles round trip, continue for 6.7 miles more to the summit of Mount LeConte, moderate difficulty
Chimney Tops: 4 miles round trip, newly renovated trail, moderate difficulty
Clingmans Dome: 1-mile round trip, paved and leads to a lookout, moderate difficulty
Laurel Falls: 2.6 miles round trip, the trail was built to give fire crews access to Cove Mountain in case of a forest fire, moderate difficulty
Trillium Gap to Grotto Falls: 2.6 miles round trip, moderate difficulty, popular for wildflower viewing in the spring
Abrams Falls: 5 miles round trip, accessible from Cades Cove, moderate difficulty
Ramsey Cascades: 8 miles roundtrip, accessible from Greenbrier area, the tallest waterfall in the park, strenuous difficulty
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