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.
roadway in forest.
National Park Service to improve 7 miles of Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina
Newfound Gap Road is getting an upgrade! Starting July 14, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will kick off a rehabilitation of a 7-mile stretch of Newfound Gap Road on the North Carolina side of the park.
Elk Rover with orange flag managing traffic. In the background is elk in a field.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park seeks Elk Rover volunteers for 2025 season
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking individuals to join the Elk Rover volunteer team for the upcoming 2025 season. Elk Rovers share information with visitors about safe wildlife viewing and help keep elk and visitors safe. Elk Rovers will be stationed at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, located near Cherokee, NC.
Abrams Falls Trail closed for trail maintenance June 16-18
The National Park Service will close Abrams Falls Trail and trailhead parking lot in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from June 16 through June 18 to allow crews to complete trail maintenance. Visitors will not be able to access the falls from any trail during this closure.
A few yellow park tractors and road equipment parking in parking area.
Spring road maintenance planned in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The National Park Service will complete important maintenance along popular roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this June. This will require temporary partial closures of Little River Road and single-lane closures along the Spur to allow park staff to safely and efficiently complete this work.
ASL Program
Discover the Smokies with new summer and fall public programs
Join us this summer and fall for a series of exciting, family-friendly programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, starting June 7. Visitors are invited to take a hike with a ranger, learn about mountain life, meet some of the creatures that call the Smokies' home, trek into the dark and much more.
A hillside in the forest covered with white trillium flowers
Photo by Kristina Plaas
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
Gold and red fall colors fill the valleys while snow coats the mountain tops.
Photo by Sam Hobbs
Bright gold and red leaves shine through the fog in a forest.
Photo by NPS Photo
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