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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Big Creek © Jim Oakley
View on the way to Mouse Creek Falls
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sparks Lane © Ed Heaton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
Mud Bath
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
Ive got the Right of Way
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
The Rut is on.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee © Jim Oakley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mouse Creek Falls © Jim Oakley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Elk © Jim Oakley
Elk bugling in Cataloochee Valley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Daniel Ewert
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Daniel Ewert
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Velvet © Deborah Garland
Deer with antler in velvet
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Morning Mist © Deborah Garland
Early morning light enters the valley of Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Smoke © Michelle Dillon
Psalm 10432 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Michelle Dillon
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Michelle Dillon
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Michelle Dillon
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mouse Creek Falls © Jim Oakley
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Yellow Lady © Deborah Garland
Yellow Lady Slipper
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smokey Mts National Park © John Zignich
Cotaloochee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Middle Prong Little River © Ed Heaton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Chris Smith
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Daniel Ewert
Great Smoky Mountains National Park © Daniel Ewert
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES
Trails
More than 850 miles of hiking trails traverse the Great Smoky Mountains. They range from easy to difficult and provide half hour walks to week-long backpacking trips. The Appalachian Trail runs for 70 miles along the Park's top ridge. Pets are not allowed on any trails except for the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Backcountry camping requires a permit.

Safety is important to consider when exploring the backcountry. Here are a few basics to help you get started:

* Let someone know your route and return time. * Always hike with another person. * Carry a current park trail map. * Carry 2 small flashlights or headlamps. * Take adequate water - minimum 2 quarts per person per day. * All water taken from the backcountry should be treated. * Wear shoes or boots that provide good ankle support. * Carry a small first aid kit. * Check the current weather forecast and be prepared for quickly changing conditions.

With so many options, the Smokies offer a tremendous number of hiking opportunities. Mentioned below are a few of the most popular destinations:

Alum Cave Trail. This is a 4.4 mile roundtrip hike, rated moderate. It includes Arch Rock, a natural arch, Inspiration Point, and the Alum Cave Bluff. Inspiration Point offers a spectacular view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River's upper basin. The trail continues to Mt. Le Conte, and its beautiful viewpoints. Roundtrip distance from the parking to Le Conte is 10 miles. This trail can be icy in winter.

Andrews Bald. A 3.6 mile roundtrip hike, rated moderate. This hike heads downslope to a bald. Excellent views open to the south, toward Fontana Lake, and in early summer the azaleas explode with color. The trail head is located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed from December through March.

Charlies Bunion. This 8-mile roundtrip hike is rated strenuous. Following the Appalachian Trail, this hike goes out to rocky crags along the state-line ridge. It has excellent views. This trail can be icy in winter.

These are only a few suggestions. To order more information or buy a hiking map please visit the Great Smoky Mountains Association's Bookstore.

For those who are interested in completing all of the more than 150 hiking trails in the Smokies, you can now become a member of the 900 miler club.
Fishing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year.

Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in most streams. Certain posted streams are closed to fishing, to protect threatened fishes. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is available at any visitor center or ranger station.

You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Tennessee License RequirementsResidents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid license. Residents age 65 and older may obtain a special license from the state.

North Carolina License RequirementsResidents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a license. Residents age 70 and older may obtain a special license from the state.

Persons under 16 in North Carolina and under 13 in Tennessee are entitled to the adult daily bag and possession limits and are subject to all other regulations.
North Carolina
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

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