Great Smoky Mountains National Park is nestled between the North Carolina and Tennessee, a verdant forest full of wonder. It features a magnificent mountain range, miles of rivers and streams, abundant flora and fauna, and beauty around every corner. With endless miles of hiking trails, prime fishing locations, multiple campgrounds, and so much more, it is clear why Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in America. Visitors can shop and dine in the commercialized towns surrounding the park or choose to escape from the hustle and bustle by retreating into the thousands of acres of forest and mountains.
Established June 15, 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the park preserves and maintains almost 80 historical structures within its boundaries. The Cherokee Indian tribe originally settled this land, calling it "Shaconage", meaning "Land of Blue Smoke". The land was later colonized by European settlers who built villages throughout the land; remnants of these settlements can be found in the numerous graveyards and preserved buildings in areas such as Cades Cove, Sugarlands, and Oconaluftee.