Great Smoky Mountains: The most popular National Park in the US
Water and the exudation of trees create that kind of fog that gives its name to the most popular mountains in the United States. The Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the country, with eleven million tourists. The large forest located between North Carolina and Tennesse was once an ancient hunting place for Native Cherokee Indians. Today is a home of over a thousand Black Bear
The Appalachian Mountains are part of the amazing views of this park. You can also see some of the houses, farms and barns that the locals occupied in these mountains in the 19th century. A territory with more than 500.00 acres where to learn more about nature and American history.
Columbia Store
And what to see in the park?
The park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and an International Biosphere Reserve. The Great Smoky Mountains have more than one hundred different tree species. There are different trekking sentences to explore some of the most famous sections of the park. You can see waterfalls, deer, and settlements from centuries ago. Also the amazing panoramic views of the mountains.
The Clingsman Dome Observatory is the highest point from which you can enjoy the most amazing images of the place. It is reached by car, on foot or by bike through one of the enabled routes. Through one of the paths that run through this great forest, Cades Cove is reached, a valley where there are still wooden cabins and churches that populated this place in the 19th century.
Beware of Bears
One of the main attractions is the presence of around 1,500 black bears that live free in these mountains. The ratio is one bear every 494 acres, so they can be observed relatively easily from the viewpoints. Or in the same paths.
The national park is admitted that you can carry pepper spray for bears. This is to repel any bear attack.
For more information check here on the official website of the park how a meeting with bears should be handled.
Encounters With Bears - Bear Pepper Spray
See Official Web Great Smoky Mountains NPS :
Bears in the park are wild and their behavior is unpredictable. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Watch the video Day Hiking & Wildlife to learn how to handle bear encounters.
Bear Pepper Spray
Bear pepper spray may be carried by hikers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the strict purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, other equipment or surrounding area as a repellent. Bear pepper spray is a chemical formula designed specifically to deter aggressive or attacking bears. It must be commercially manufactured and labeled as "Bear Pepper Spray" and be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and individual states. Bear spray must contain between 1% to 2% of the active ingredients capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
Best Hiking trails
Mont Cammerer
Hard. Round trip length of 11.9 miles. You pass the path that leads to the Appalachian Trail Once at the top there are amazing views.
Gregory Bald
Round trip length of 11.6 miles. The views of the mountain range are amazing, especially in the fall when you will see yellows, reds and oranges in the mountains. See NPS Gregory Bald Alerts
Andrews Bald
Round trip length of 3.5 miles. Moderate. There are stone stairs to make the hiking route safer and easier. See NPS Andrews Bald Alerts
Meigs Creek Trail
This hike has a round trip length of 7 miles. Start at The Sinks, which is a popular waterfall located on the road. It's a hike through the woods and you can see the Meigs Creek waterfalls 18 feet down.
Baskins Creek Falls
At the end of the hike, you will see the two-level waterfall 40 feet high. the length of this 3 mile round trip trail
Alum Cave
They are 4.4 miles round trip in length. Water lines intersect on log bridges. A narrow tunnel is also traversed through Arch Rock.
Best Hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains - With Wikiloc
The 5 Most Visited National Parks in the United States
| Name | Visitors 2018 | Area | Location |
Map |
| Great Smoky Mountains | 11,421,200 |
|
Tennessee, North Carolina
|
35.68°N 83.53°W |
| Grand Canyon | 6,380,495 |
|
Arizona |
36.06°N 112.14°W |
| Rocky Mountain | 4,590,493 |
|
Colorado |
40.40°N 105.58°W |
| Zion | 4,320,033 |
|
Utah | 37.30°N 113.05°W |
| Yellowstone | 4,115,000 |
|
Wyoming, Montana, Idaho |
44.60°N 110.50°W |
