8 Fun Facts About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomes more than 11 million visitors each year! While we know you’ve heard about all the fun things you can do when you visit, how much do you really know about the national park? To help you learn more, we’ve put together a list of 8 fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Averaging more than 11 million visitors per year earns the Smoky Mountains the title of the most visited national park in the country! It’s no surprise why, however, because there’s so much to see and do when you visit. Year after year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park breaks its own record for number of visitors. Once you visit yourself, you’ll understand why so many people return every year!
One of the most interesting facts about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you may not know is that it’s considered the salamander capital of the world! There are 30 different species of salamanders in the Smoky Mountains, and on any given day in the park, it can be assumed that salamanders take up the majority of vertebrate animals in the park. This includes humans!
Part of the reason that the national park draws in so many visitors is because there’s no entrance fee. It’s completely free for you to come and explore the park’s natural beauty! This is because the land that is now the park used to be privately owned. The states of Tennessee and North Carolina paid to construct Newfound Gap Road, and when Tennessee transferred ownership of the road over to the federal government, it was stated that “no toll or license fee shall ever be imposed” to travel the road.
One of the best ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is by going for a hike! There are over 850 miles of trails you can hike in the park. Whether you visit in the fall to see the gorgeous fall foliage or the spring to see the wildflowers, you’ll always have a gorgeous view! Enjoy everything from waterfalls to scenic mountain views. Some of the most popular trails in the park are Laurel Falls, Alum Cave Trail and Abrams Falls.
We’re sure you’ve heard of all the bear sightings in the Smoky Mountain area. That’s because there is estimated to be about 1,500 black bears in the park. That’s an average of 2 bears for every square mile in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Another reason why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is so popular is because it’s within a day’s drive of 2/3s of the U.S. population! It’s located right near Interstate Highway 40 and close to major cities like Asheville, NC, Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and Nashville, TN!
Did you know that the first settler in the Smoky Mountains was actually a woman? William Ogle is credited for building the first-ever “home” in the Smoky Mountains, but it was his wife who can be considered the first settler. After William Ogle passed away, his wife, Martha Jane Huskey, moved into the cabin.
1. It’s the Most Visited National Park in the Country
Averaging more than 11 million visitors per year earns the Smoky Mountains the title of the most visited national park in the country! It’s no surprise why, however, because there’s so much to see and do when you visit. Year after year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park breaks its own record for number of visitors. Once you visit yourself, you’ll understand why so many people return every year!
2. It’s the Salamander Capital of the World
3. It’s Free for All Visitors
Part of the reason that the national park draws in so many visitors is because there’s no entrance fee. It’s completely free for you to come and explore the park’s natural beauty! This is because the land that is now the park used to be privately owned. The states of Tennessee and North Carolina paid to construct Newfound Gap Road, and when Tennessee transferred ownership of the road over to the federal government, it was stated that “no toll or license fee shall ever be imposed” to travel the road.
4. There Are Over 850 Miles of Trails
One of the best ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is by going for a hike! There are over 850 miles of trails you can hike in the park. Whether you visit in the fall to see the gorgeous fall foliage or the spring to see the wildflowers, you’ll always have a gorgeous view! Enjoy everything from waterfalls to scenic mountain views. Some of the most popular trails in the park are Laurel Falls, Alum Cave Trail and Abrams Falls.
5. There is an Average of 2 Bears for Every Square Mile in the Park
We’re sure you’ve heard of all the bear sightings in the Smoky Mountain area. That’s because there is estimated to be about 1,500 black bears in the park. That’s an average of 2 bears for every square mile in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
6. It’s Within a Day’s Drive of 2/3s of the U.S. Population
7. The First Settler in the Smoky Mountains was a Woman
Did you know that the first settler in the Smoky Mountains was actually a woman? William Ogle is credited for building the first-ever “home” in the Smoky Mountains, but it was his wife who can be considered the first settler. After William Ogle passed away, his wife, Martha Jane Huskey, moved into the cabin.
8. The “Smoke” is Actually Fog from the Area’s Vegetation
What actually makes the Smoky Mountains smoky? The smoky haze that you see around the mountains is actually fog from the area’s vegetation. The plants in the area actually exhale something called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. A high concentration of VOCs can cause fog, and the millions of trees, bushes and other plants in the Smokies all give off the vapor that creates the fog.
Now that you know all these fun facts about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out our shop so you can get something that represents your love for the Smokies!