… and the Cherokee called the area “Land of the Blue Smoke”. The smokiness is a fog created by the plants that are native to the mountains.
…with approximately 60,000 unique visitors every weekend during the peak season. The Smoky Mountains are a day’s drive from 60% of the nation, making it a popular vacation destination.
… and it was the first national park to be partially federally funded.
This species of bear lives all over the park, but you can find them mostly in the Cataloochee Valley and the Cades Cove areas. Black bears in the Smokies are actually that color, while in the other parts of the country, they are different shades of brown.
If you’re a birder of any kind, you’ve come to the right place. With a great diversity in microclimates, vegetation, and elevations, a stunning variety of aviary species are in the Park at one time or another.
Probably because of its humid and misty climate, salamanders thrive here.