The Great Smokey Mountains is a wilderness area located in North Carolina and part of Tennessee.
Preservation of the Smokey Mountains area requires that hiking, camping and other activities be well managed, and that all visitors be fully prepared & practice 'leave no trace' wilderness etiquette. Click here to see low-impact camping equipment.
Overview Of The Great Smokey Mountains...
From black bears to salamanders. Old-growth forests to spring wildflowers. Log cabins to grist mills. The Great Smokey Mountains Park offers a myriad of opportunities for exploring and discovering both the natural and cultural history of these ancient mountains.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over one-half million acres, making it one of the largest natural areas in the East. An auto tour of the park offers scenic views of mountain streams, weathered historic buildings, and forests stretching to the horizon. There are over 270 miles of road in the Smokies. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are maintained in suitable condition for standard two-wheel drive automobiles. - source: nps.gov
Best Time To Visit The Great Smokey Mountains...
Year-round.
Best road & trail conditions are March through October.
Interesting Facts About The Great Smokey Mountains...
Park Size: 521,896 acres
The Great Smokey Mountains is an International Biosphere Reserve and an UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Great Smokey Mountains are within a day's travel for most people living on the eastern United States.
Fontana Dam, on the southwestern boundary of the Great Smokey Mountains park, is the tallest dam east of the Rockies.
The Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails.
Planning a trip to The Great Smokey Mountains?
Travel guide @ www.nps.gov
Also
check the Google links on the right.
Following is suggested low-impact camping equipment for visiting The Great Smokey Mountains that you will find useful in making your trip that much more memorable & responsible...
Power Your Stuff
Keep cameras, GPS, sat phones & more charged
regardless of where your adventures take you.
Light Your Way High-efficiency lighting for the camp & trail
Headlamps, flashlights, & lanterns
Track The Weather Know your exact local conditions
Handheld & home stations
Write In Rain Paper, pens, & notebooks that stand-up in a downpour
No more soggy notes!
Drink Responsibly
Don't take chances with your health.
Purify your water on the fly
Protect Your Stuff
Cases, bags, packs & more
Keep your electronics, cameras, & gear dry
Navigate The Wild
The most reliable global navigation tools
Compasses of all types, plus GPS
Play With Fire
Stoves that burn trail & camp wood scraps,
and matchless fire starting
Well-Honed Blades
Rock-solid knives & tools
Reliability & practicality without the cost
