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It's a testament to our wonderful National Park System really. After all, this year our nation's busiest park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, turns 75. The best way to teach your family why conservation is important is to show them the stunning national park system. From Yellowstone to Grand Canyon, the U.S. has the largest national park system in the world thanks in large part to an early eco-activist named Theodore Roosevelt. President Roosevelt was an avid conservationist who signed legislation establishing five national parks between 1901 and 1909, including Crater Lake, Ore., Wind Cave, S.D., Sully's Hill, N.D. (later redesignated a game preserve), Mesa Verde, Colo., and Platt, Okla. (now part of Chickasaw National Recreation Area).
It's been called 500,000 acres of paradise. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Go enjoy the distinct mountain rhythm yourself and celebrate this milestone firsthand.
Celebrate the Anniversary with a Trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Directions to the Park
There are three entrances to the park. One can be found in Gatlinburg, Tenn, one in Townsend, and one in Cherokee, N.C. Find directions to each entrance of the park here.
Fees for the Park
The park itself has no entrance fee but if you're planning on camping overnight the fee ranges from $14 to $23 per night.
Things to Do in the Park
You can tour the park by car, bike, or foot in the 800 miles of stunning trails. The park is also a fishing haven. Anglers can match their skills against wily brook, brown, and rainbow trout on over 700 miles of fishable streams in the park. Nearly 80 historic structures including homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills have been preserved in the park. Highlights include the amazing variety of wildflowers, the park has been called the wildflower park by many a visitor. You'll also find elk, black bears, and a slew of white tailed deer amongst a host of other species. Then there are the magnificent mountain views.
Planning on Bringing Your Pup?
Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Pets are only allowed on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails.
More on National Parks:
Are You a Green Globetrotter?
Go National Park Hopping, Part 2
5 Ways Anyone Can Support National Parks Now!
Green American Summer
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
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