“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park of the United States in the southeast, with parts in North Carolina and Tennessee. The park straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest, which are a…”
BBC Travel
From her Appalachian childhood to Nashville and Dollywood, a journey through the Tennessee she loved – and transformed in return.
522,000-acre expanse with hiking trails and scenic overlooks
Lonely Planet
Fall leaf-peeping requires a curious mix of science and intuition. Get our tips on where and when to catch the fiery colors at their brightest.
Dig deep into the beauty of southern Appalachia.
Condé Nast Traveler
In these towns, the slower pace of life—and refreshing lack of crowds—make for the relaxing respite you’re looking for.
gateway town, dense forests, hiking trails, waterfalls
Outside
Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.
biodiverse regions, black bears and massive elk
Outside
Looking to avoid the crowds at Zion or the Smokies? Our national parks columnist shares the intel on overlooked parks that rival the most popular spots.
Most visited park, most biodiverse in America
National Geographic
From her Tennessee mountain home, the nature-loving singer says mistreating Earth is like ‘being ugly to your mama.’ Dolly Parton’s music is inspired by the easygoing charm of the Smokies and her ...
most biodiverse park in the U.S. national park system