United States
Great Smoky Mountains
Welcome to the Appalachian Mountains! The Great Smoky Mountains get their name from the soft blue mist that drifts over their ridges, making them look like they're covered in smoke.
Why is it special?
It is the most-visited national park in the entire United States, welcoming over 12 million guests a year.
It is one of the most biodiverse places in North America, home to more than 19,000 documented species.
How was it formed?
The mountains are part of the ancient Appalachian range, worn smooth and rounded over hundreds of millions of years.
Trees and plants release natural vapors that mix with humid air, creating the soft blue "smoke" that gives the mountains their name.
Amazing facts
The misty blue haze that gives the mountains their name is created naturally by trees releasing vapor into the air.
The park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.
Quick facts
- The misty blue haze that gives the mountains their name is created naturally by trees releasing vapor into the air.
- The park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.
- It is home to black bears, and visitors sometimes spot them wandering through the forest.
- For a couple of weeks each summer, thousands of fireflies here flash in perfect unison, a rare phenomenon found in only a few places on Earth.