US UNESCO World Heritage Site: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Location: Borders North Carolina and Tennessee
Admission: Although this National Park offers free access, visitors pay for parking tags for vehicles parking for over 15 minutes
Best time to visit: Summer for waterfalls and wildlife or fall for autumn foliage
Best activities: Camping, Wildlife watching, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
The world-famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park exposes travelers to what Mother Nature was before civilization intervened.
With more than 3,500 plant species, including 130 tree species, plus diverse wildlife, this bucket-list destination is one of the most-visited parks in our country.
Every season brings something exciting to see in this US World Heritage Site, and visitors can explore the natural wonders along some of the top-rated hiking trails in the Smokies, including the Rainbow Falls Hike.
This all-season track leads hikers through a forest to an 80-foot-high waterfall in the warm months or a fascinating ice formation when it gets cold outside.
