- States: NC, TN
- NPCA Region: Southeast
- Est. Date: 1926
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Unsatisfactory
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the country's most popular national park sites. It offers postcard-perfect views and plentiful wildlife.
World-renowned for its biodiversity, the beauty of its ancient mountains and its Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this southeastern gem is worth fighting the crowds to see. Seasonal offerings include colorful wildflowers in spring, rare synchronous fireflies in late May/early June and spectacular foliage in autumn.
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Blog Post
Helene: Facing Loss and the Blue Ridge Parkway’s ‘Most Tremendous Challenge’
As damage assessments continue, an NPCA staffer who lived through Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina reflects on the impact to residents and the Southeastern parks they love, including the…
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Blog Post
10 Parks Getting a Boost Through the Great American Outdoors Act
2020’s historic investment continues to improve our national parks. Read about some of the latest park maintenance and repair projects underway and why NPCA urges Congress to extend the act’s…
My Park Story
Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Donna & Mike Take a Hike Seven years 59 Parks 295 Miles by foot, bike, canoe, horse and kayak 12 bear sightings 4 pairs of hiking boots 2 Prius cars and 1 hip replacement = One large item on our Bucket List accomplished.
More about Great Smoky Mountains
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Read more about Safe Passage: I-26 at the AT
NPCA at Work Safe Passage: I-26 at the AT Improving wildlife’s ability to safely cross Interstate 26 near the Appalachian Trail
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Read more about Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories
Fact Sheet Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories The Great American Outdoors Act is providing crucial funding – up to $6.65 billion over five years – to fix our national parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems and many more repair needs. This bill, along with other funding sources, is ensuring our parks can continue to welcome millions of visitors each year and protect the natural and cultural resources that tell our nation’s history.
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Read more about Clearing the Air in the Smokies
Blog Post Clearing the Air in the Smokies Great Smoky Mountains National Park is starting to win its decades-long fight against dangerous haze, adding hope to the park’s horizon.
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Read more about One Animal’s Trash…
Magazine Article One Animal’s Trash… Dung beetles perform invaluable ecological and janitorial services, but their influence has long been overlooked. In Great Smoky Mountains, researchers are finally giving much-deserved attention to the mighty insects.
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Our national parks are our national treasure, to be enjoyed, preserved, and protected for generations to come! — Jaya
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Read more about 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks
Blog Post 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks Listen to three up-and-coming songwriters perform amid nature on acoustic guitar — in the very national parks that inspired their work.
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Read more about Killer on the Road
Magazine Article Killer on the Road Cars helped make national parks America’s most beloved landscapes — and wreaked havoc on wildlife. What will it take to repair the damage?
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Read more about Explore the Smokies
Blog Post Explore the Smokies 8 reasons to add Great Smoky Mountains National Park to your bucket list — from its biodiversity and bluish haze to long human history.
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Read more about The Votes are In: A Crowdsourced Adventure in the Smokies
Blog Post The Votes are In: A Crowdsourced Adventure in the Smokies What happens when social media followers select where to send two park adventurers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The couple enjoys an awesome itinerary — one you might want to replicate someday.
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Read more about Wildlife Protection Documentary Makes Film Festival Debut
Press Release Wildlife Protection Documentary Makes Film Festival Debut The Boone Docs Film Festival will feature short-form documentary films focusing on or from the Appalachian region, including The Search for Safe Passage, produced by NPCA and Wildlands Network.
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Read more about Great Smokies Superintendent Receives Award for Hikes for Healing Program
Press Release Great Smokies Superintendent Receives Award for Hikes for Healing Program In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many other Black Americans in 2020, Superintendent Cassius Cash created the Smokies Hikes for Healing program.
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Read more about Parks Group Celebrates Staffer Named North Carolina Wildlife Conservationist Of The Year
Press Release Parks Group Celebrates Staffer Named North Carolina Wildlife Conservationist Of The Year Jeff Hunter has led NPCA’s efforts to protect iconic national parks like Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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Read more about Research Results and Mitigation Strategies
Report Research Results and Mitigation Strategies to Improve Wildlife Connectivity and Human Safety along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge
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Read more about Conservationists Unveil Blueprint for Protecting Wildlife and Drivers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Press Release Conservationists Unveil Blueprint for Protecting Wildlife and Drivers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park New research from NPCA and Wildlands Network identifies wildlife hotspots in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- and how to protect them.
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Read more about Polluted Parks: How Dirty Air is Harming America’s National Parks
Report Polluted Parks: How Dirty Air is Harming America’s National Parks “Polluted Parks” graded the pollution-related damage in the 48 national parks required by the Clean Air Act to have the highest possible air quality.
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Read more about Center for State of the Parks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Report Center for State of the Parks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park In this report, the National Parks Conservation Association summarizes findings from an assessment by its State of the Parks program to describe the current condition of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s resources and the stewardship challenges ahead.
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