"Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary, the park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails. "
Some additional information: There is no entry fee for the national park. But you have to pay about $12 if you are going to camp in the park. Because of its elevation roads leading through the park might be closed during wintertime. By the way: the park got its name from the clouds that are usually hanging between the mountains. When I was there it was one of those cloudy days and I immediately understood why the park is named like that.

