Happy Birthday to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 89th birthday! Can you believe it? This year marks 89 years that our beloved Smoky Mountains have been an established national park!

In 1926, the United States government approved the creation of a national park. It actually took several years for funds to be raised to purchase the land for the park, but on June 15, 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially established.

Today, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Every year, the national park hits record-breaking numbers of visitors. Thank you to everyone who continues to visit our park and enjoy the nature and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Some of Our Favorite Things About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We love everything about the Smoky Mountains, including all of its visitors, but here’s a few of our favorite things about the Smokies.

The park is FREE to enter!

As you probably already know, the national park has no entrance fee. In fact, it’s very slim that there will ever be an entrance fee because the legislature in the details of the deed for the park (dating back from the 1930s) states that there is not to be an entry fee. However, visitors who plan to park for more than 15 minutes will need to purchase a parking tag. Daily tags are only $5! 

Find out more details in our blog post: Park It Forward: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Fees Effective March 1.

The Smoky Mountain black bears make every vacation worth it!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is filled with all sorts of wildlife, but the Smoky Mountain black bears are some of the most popular. You can spot the black bears throughout the park, but most people tend to see them in the Cades Cove area the most often. Make sure to use caution and be extremely careful around any of the wildlife in the national park.

Check out: Where and When to Find Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife

Cades Cove…which is absolutely beautiful!

That’s all we really need to say, right? We know you love Cades Cove just as much as we do! It’s one of the most beautiful places in our national park and some of you may even argue that it’s the most beautiful place on earth!

The history, wildlife and beautiful views from Cades Cove keep visitors returning to the area year after year. To learn more about Cades Cove, take a quick look at our Step-by-Step Guide to the Cades Cove Loop Road.

It’s the perfect place to hike, relax and get away for a few days.

One thing about our national park is that it’s the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to take a break and relax for a few days. There’s 150 official hiking trails in the national park which means there’s plenty for you to explore while you’re here!

Wish a Happy Birthday to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Be sure you wish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park a very happy 89th birthday! Learn more interesting facts about the Smoky Mountains, then come visit to see what makes it so great for yourself!