Find out why Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited US National Park by tapping into your inner explorer this Spring 2025! Stacey Slamka, Hiking Enthusiast, shares key features of the Smokies to enjoy during your next hike:
Discover Early Appalachian Life
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the top most visited US National Park, year after year. Plentiful in diverse ecosystems and majestic mountain scenery, it’s no surprise why the Smokies are a must-visit for any hiker. Deeply engrained in Southern Appalachian culture, visiting these lush landscapes of valleys and towering peaks inserts the hiker into the perspective of an explorer. With remnants of Southern Appalachian culture sprinkled throughout, hikers like Stacey Slamka appreciate the marks of the past; including log houses and old churches.
Touring through the mountain chain along North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers many opportunities for adventure. As you voyage through, Stacey Slamka recommends seeking out those remnants of early Appalachian life, to gain a clearer understanding of the past — and current Southern Appalachian culture.
Chimney Tops Trail
The adventure begins at Chimney Tops Trail! The trailhead is located on Newfound Gap Road in Tennessee. In 2017, the trailhead reopened with a newly constructed observation point, in response to a tragic wildfire started by two juveniles a year prior. Over 11,000 acres of Great Smoky Mountains National Park were lost in this event, but the Smokies have proudly rebuilt. Pay respects to the area when visiting Chimney Tops Trail and remember to be mindful of the wildlife who call the Smokies home.
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