Check out a newer (2020) updated version of this post on my new blog: History Nugget: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States? And that is had a long and rich history before it was even made a National Park?
I never imagined that Great Smoky Mountains would beat Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks as the most visited National Park in the U.S. However GSMNP gets roughly 9 million visitors a year, impressive right? According to the Visit My Smokies, “visitors are drawn by the sweeping mountain views, 730 miles of pristine mountain streams, carpets of wildflowers and a lush forest that lead to the Park’s recognition as an “International Biosphere Reserve.” It is home to abundant wildlife including black bears, elk, white-tailed deer and 200 species of birds.” It does sound pretty spectacular
The park encompasses around 522,419 acres, making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. Interestingly, Great Smoky Mountains was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for, at least in part, with federal funds. Previous parks were funded with private funds or state money. However, the region that is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park had a very long and interesting history before President Roosevelt established the National Park in 1940.
In fact, before the arrival of European settlers, the region was the homeland of the Eastern Cherokees. Frontiers people didn’t settle on the land until the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1830, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which began the process that eventually resulted in the forced removal of all Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River.
Many of the Cherokee left, but warrior Tsali led those that resisted. They hid out in the area that is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of their descendants now live in the Qualla Boundary to the south of the park. See my post about our day in Cherokee, North Carolina here. And my history nugget about the Cherokee Tribe here.
After settlers arrived in the region logging became the main industry. In the late 19thcentury, the Little River Railroad was constructed to haul timber out of the more remote regions of the area. Clear cutting became a major concern and it was evident that the land needed to be preserved before all of its natural resources were exhausted by the logging industry.
Although the United States National Park Service was looking for land to create a park in the eastern United States they did not have the funds to establish one. Thankfully, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., contributed about $5 million, the U.S. government added roughly $2 million, and private citizens from both Tennessee and North Carolina all pitched in to assemble the lands for the park. Naturally farms and timbering operations were abolished to establish the protected areas of the park.
It could be it’s central location, or the geological and natural features or the wildlife. The park offers roughly 850 miles of hiking trails and unpaved roads. As well as, an astounding 100 waterfalls and cascades within park boundaries. Most of the waterfall hikes are less than a 4 miles. However, most trails within the park are not dog friendly (more on that Saturday).
According to NPS, Park officials count more than 200 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 39 species of reptiles, and 43 species of amphibians, including many lungless salamanders. The park also has a noteworthy black bear population, numbering an impressive 1,500.
An experimental re-introduction of elk (wapiti) into the park began in 2001. Elk are most abundant in the Cataloochee area in the southeastern section of the park. We saw the herd by the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for more about that click here.
Not only is it beautiful but the park has a number of historical attractions. The most well preserved and popular being Cades Cove, a valley that features historic buildings. Cades Cove is the single most visited destination within the national park. Self-guided automobile and bicycle tours give visitors a glimpse into the way of life of old-time southern Appalachia. Cades Cove is also great for wildlife viewing. Other historical areas within the park include Roaring Fork, Elkmont, and Mingus Mill at Oconaluftee.
It’s easy to see why Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the United States. However, before 2018 it was never even on my radar. We were planning a huge trip out west to cross off about 5 different National Parks. When that trip would not work out (I tried everything in my power to make it work because I’ve been trying to go on that trip for upwards of 4 years) I looked closer to home and stumbled upon Great Smoky Mountains. I’ll be focusing on our Great Smoky Mountains trip for the next 3 weeks.
