The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina represent some of the highest and most rugged peaks in the Appalachian Mountains. Many peaks are in excess of 6,000 feet, with Clingmans Dome in eastern Tennessee being the tallest at 6,644 feet.

The name "Smoky" comes from the bluish mist that envelops the hills. Abundant rainfall and fertile soils have given the Smokies one of the world's finest examples of temperate deciduous forest. A wide variety of flora is in abundance here, as are many different species of birds and other wildlife.

Due to wildlife preservation policies, much of the area looks as it did to the early Native American and European settlers. Restored log cabins and barns from the pioneer era are scattered throughout the area.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, the Smokies were threatened by lumbering and mining companies. Although these industries brought jobs to mountain families, they wrecked havoc on the environment. By the late 1920s, a move was underway by the federal government to turn the Great Smoky Mountains into a protected wildlands sanctuary. Thanks to a large donation from John D. Rockefeller, along with community efforts in Tennessee and North Carolina, over 400,000 acres of land were acquired by the government, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1930.

Follow these links to learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - This site has information on all the recreational and naturalist activities available in the park.

Ultimate Cades Cove Guide - Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas of the park, with scenic roads and historic buildings dating from the nineteenth century.

The Smoky Mountains - This site has interesting information on the people who were born and raised in the park area.