Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fact Box Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina and Tennessee Established 1934 521,086 acres Visitation(2009) 9,491,437 The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an icon of the national park system. Over 10,000 different species of flora and fauna have been identified within the Park's boundaries. The large number of species in the park is due to the diverse habitats, ranging from spruce-fir forests to temperate deciduous forests. The diversity of the Park has also lead to it being designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Recreation opportunities are numerous in the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors can hike on over 800 miles of trail, explore the many cultural heritage sites, take self-guided auto tours, or view the abundant wildlife of the park. Because of the popularity of the Park and the proximity to major urban areas, the Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park with over 9 million visitors every year. Source http://www.npca.org/parks/great-smoky-mountains.html