Tennessee National Parks

With a beautiful, rolling landscape and rich history, Tennessee hosts numerous national parks. Whether desiring education, entertainment or relaxation, Tennessee contains something for any family. Chief among the parks is the Smokey Mountains and Cherokee National Forest.

Smokey Mountains

The Smokey Mountains, the flagship of the national parks in the East, contains hundreds of rolling, wooded mountains, and the natural mist that forms over these mountains gives the park its name. Plentiful wildlife attract over nine million tourists every year, including black bears and wild turkeys. Also, the winding, twisting roads bring in motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the US. Historic features of the park include battle sites, original log cabins and farms and the peak of the park, Clingman's Dome. Also, driving along the Blue Ridge Mountains demonstrates the numerous features of the park and surrounding land.

Cherokee National Forest

Directly adjacent to the Smokey Mountain National Park is the Cherokee National Forest. It contains hundreds of trails for hikers and families to enjoy. Also, rafting enthusiasts find challenging whitewater rivers, and plenty of swimming is available in three beautiful lakes. Many campgrounds located in the park can hold thousands of tourists, with several open year-round for the more adventurous campers. Also, several Cherokee residents offer historical attractions and plenty of shopping opportunities for unique and authentic Cherokee artifacts.

Several other parks surround these two, and visitors can entertain themselves for days or weeks with the numerous attractions. The Smokey Mountains and the adjacent Cherokee National Forest represent some of the best features of the US landscape.