| While visiting Pigeon Forge, you must make a trip | | | | from 800 feet to 6,643 feet and the |
| to the Smoky Mountains National Park. As the | | | | temperature can change from 10 20 degrees |
| most visited national park in America, the | | | | from the lower elevations to the higher ones. Also |
| Smokies receive over 9 million visitors a year. | | | | just because it is a beautiful day when you leave |
| There is so much to do and see in the park | | | | for the park, doesnt mean it will remain nice |
| including overlooks that give you a view of the | | | | weather through your whole day. There is an |
| beautiful mountain ranges, hiking trails, camping, | | | | average of 55 inches of precipitation a year in the |
| fishing, historic sites and wildlife. There are five | | | | lowlands compared to 85 inches of precipitation in |
| different forest types throughout the Smoky | | | | the higher elevations of the Smokies. If you have |
| Mountains and over 4,000 plant species. Some | | | | wondered why the Smoky Mountains are Smoky |
| sections of the park are actually classified as rain | | | | it is a result of the precipitation and evaporation |
| forests. The park totals over 500,000 acres in | | | | from the trees. The higher elevations of the |
| size. | | | | Smokies are classified as rain forest. |
| Most visitors to the Smokies are there for a one | | | | The beautiful plants in the Smoky Mountains is |
| day visit. However, if you enjoy the outdoors and | | | | one of the main reasons why it has been |
| enjoy camping, there is no better place in the | | | | classified as a national park. The vegetation is |
| country to camp than the Smoky Mountains. The | | | | what makes these mountains so unique. Because |
| campgrounds in the park are primitive on purpose. | | | | of the various elevation levels, precipitation and |
| There are ten campgrounds and all of them have | | | | temperature, these mountains provide a great |
| running water, flush toilets and charcoal grills. | | | | habitat for over 1,600 different types of |
| There are fees for staying at these campgrounds | | | | flowering plants, 100 types of trees and over 100 |
| but they are low cost. There are no camper | | | | species of shrubs. The park is sometimes |
| hookups available at these campgrounds. | | | | referred to as the Wildflower National Park. There |
| Hiking is another enjoyable thing to do in the park. | | | | are more types of flowering plants in the Smoky |
| Not only does it give you a chance to see the the | | | | Mountains than any other North American park. |
| great outdoors but also is a great way to | | | | And the beautiful Fall leaves in the national park |
| exercise. There are over 850 miles of hiking trails | | | | are spectacular! |
| in the Smoky Mountains. The trails range from | | | | There is no cost to enter the Smoky Mountains |
| less difficult half hour walks to more difficult trips. | | | | National Park. Due to deed restrictions imposed |
| Many provide beautiful views, historic landmarks | | | | when the Smokies were established it was |
| and waterfalls. The Appalachian Trail stretches 70 | | | | decided that entrance charges would never be |
| miles along the top ridge of the Smokies. | | | | permitted. There is limited food and supplies |
| Wildlife sightings are excellent in the Smoky | | | | available in the national park so it is best to bring |
| Mountains. Early morning and late evening are the | | | | along a picnic and drinks and stop by one of the |
| best times to view wildlife. There are over 65 | | | | many picnic areas in the Smokies. Pets must be |
| mammals living in the park with the Bear and Red | | | | on leashes at all times and are not permitted on |
| Wolf being the favorite of visitors. Coyote and | | | | the hiking trails. Horseback riding and bike riding |
| Bobcats are the shy ones and their sightings are | | | | are also available in the Smokies. |
| rare while the Deer are easily viewed in the park. | | | | There are several visitors centers in the area to |
| Other animals that you will see are red and gray | | | | assist you about the park and offer tips on |
| squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, | | | | experiencing the most out of your visit to the |
| opossums, red and gray foxes, skunks, and bats. | | | | park. Many offer exhibits about the history and |
| Elk, river otters, beavers, wild hogs and of course | | | | culture of the Smoky Mountains. Many tours with |
| snakes also reside in the Smoky Mountains. | | | | guides are offered and most have restrooms and |
| There are over 230 species of birds in the | | | | shops. The Sugarlands Visitor Center offers a |
| Smoky Mountains and 110 that reproduce in the | | | | free 20 minute Dolby Digital Surround Sound |
| mountains. As far as snakes, the Copperhead and | | | | movie about the Smoky Mountains which is very |
| the Timbler Rattler are the only poisonous snakes | | | | interesting. There are several places to go in the |
| in the park but neither have lethal poison. The | | | | Smoky Mountains to present to you the |
| most common non-poisonous snakes are black | | | | extraordinary nature and cultural history of the |
| rat, garter, and the common water snake. Other | | | | park. If you want to learn more about the culture |
| reptiles include frogs, toads and salamanders. The | | | | of the early mountain settlers, then make a visit |
| Smokies 27 types of salamanders make this area | | | | to the Mountain Farm Museum, Cades Cove, |
| the salamander capital of the world. | | | | Cataloochee, or the Roaring Fork area. At these |
| Fishing is another thing to do in the park. Anglers | | | | places you can tour homes, farms, churches and |
| 13 and over need a valid fishing license to fish in | | | | other buildings built by the early settlers. The best |
| the Smokies which needs to be purchased before | | | | places to view wildlife because of the wide open |
| visiting the Smokies. The national park does not | | | | spaces are Cades Cove and Cataloochee. For the |
| sell licenses. Fishing is allowed year round and | | | | most beautiful views of the Smoky Mountain |
| there are more than 40 species of fish including | | | | range, head for the tops of the mountains at |
| darters, dace, suckers, bass, shiners, and trout. | | | | Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap. For a stop in |
| Brook trout are the only trout native to the | | | | a cool shady forest location, you may want to |
| Smoky Mountains. Stop by a visitors center for | | | | stop by Deep Creek or Roaring Fork. |
| fishing regulations. | | | | No matter what you want to do or see while |
| The weather in the Smokies can change quickly. | | | | visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, |
| The climate is moderate but because of the | | | | you will be guaranteed a fun filled day. Plan your |
| higher elevations, you can experience changes in | | | | visit and be prepared to enjoy the majestic views |
| the weather quickly. Elevations in the Park range | | | | of the mountains! |
