Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Swain and Haywood counties in North Carolina and Sevier, Blount, and Cocke counties in Tennessee, United States. The park contains some of the highest mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park. It is the most visited national park in the United States.
Park Purpose
As stated in the foundation document:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a vast expanse of the southern Appalachian Mountains ecosystem including its scenic beauty, extraordinary diversity of natural resources, and rich human history, and provides opportunities for the enjoyment and inspiration of present and future generations.
