Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park traveling south on Route 441 in Tennessee.

Close to the Sugarlands Visitors Center are trails. One nicely shaded trail led to Cataract Falls pictured below.

There are a lot of trails off the paved road. One popular one is the Alum Cave Trail. The picture below and the one at the top of this post were taken along the trail. The top photo is a picturesque arch, which you find along the trail.

Below is one of the many bridges over clear flowing mountain streams. The trees provide shade from the summer heat.

On a clear day, the views are outstanding and it's cooler at these elevations.

A stop near the state line offers impressive vistas. We couldn't resist the touristy memory.

Rocks near an access to the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail sign- another memory and an example of a great place to hike in America.

At the southern end of route 441 is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Nearby is the Mountain Farm Museum alongside the Oconaluftee River.

The farm buildings were brought in to showcase an old Tennessee farm. At some of the places, people tell about activities on the farm.

Children enjoy playing in the river, which is along the trail to the old farm.

On a smoky day...

My dad took us to the Smokies years ago. The photo below is from the first time I took my wife. She couldn't see much because of the "smoke," but really appreciated the park's beauty during our 2022 visit.