North Carolina, Tennessee
Inscribed 1983
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 park is of exceptional natural beauty with undisturbed, virgin forest including the largest block of virgin red spruce remaining on earth.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history.
Hikers enjoy the Smoky Mountains during all months of the year with every season offering is own special rewards.
The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years-from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early European settlement in the 1800s to loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees in the 20th century.
Great Smoky Mountains is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system. Encompassing over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, no other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park's amazing diversity.
Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
