Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abundant rainfall means lush forests and beautiful stream scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
Map showing location of park.
A man clears last debris off the side of a roadway.
Gatlinburg Bypass now open following major landslide cleanup
The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now open following a significant landslide that temporarily closed the roadway over the weekend.
Tourism to Great Smoky Mountains National Park contributes $2 billion to local economy 
A new National Park Service report shows that approximately 12.2 million visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2024 spent more than $2 billion in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of more than $2.8 billion.
A trail covered in fall leaves, adn surrounded by fall foliage on trees.
It’s beginning to feel like fall in the Smokies
It’s beginning to feel like fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Autumn is a beautiful—but busy—time in the Smokies. Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for incredible fall colors, but also crowds, traffic congestion and limited parking throughout the park.
Ryan Lakes found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ryan Lakes was found deceased at approximately 2:45 p.m. on September 21 in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Park rangers searching for missing man near Big Creek
Park rangers are searching for a 21-year-old man in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ryan Lakes was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN. His vehicle was found in the park on Sept. 20.
Bright gold and red leaves shine through the fog in a forest.
Photo by NPS Photo
A thick layer of frost covers the fields, trees, and mountains in Cades Cove.
Photo by Kristina Plaas
Wisps of fog hang over the forests in the mountains.
Photo by Kristina Plaas
A hillside in the forest covered with white trillium flowers
Photo by Kristina Plaas
Gold and red fall colors fill the valleys while snow coats the mountain tops.
Photo by Sam Hobbs
Tombstones stand in front of a white, wooden church on a foggy morning.
Photo by Kristina Plaas
Rhododendron bushes line the banks of a stream filled with large boulders.
Photo by Danielle Austen, Artist-in-Residence 2015