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Tennessee/North Carolina Border

Sunday, November 7, 2004

Park: #11

Established: 1934

Acres: 521,752

Annual Budget: $15,329,000 (FY 2004)

Visitors: 9,205,037 (FY 2004)

Highlights: Dramatic mountains, scenic valleys, over 10,000 species of flora and fauna, Appalachian Trail, Clingmans Dome, one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States.

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Hours: Open year round, visitor center hours very with the season.

Phone: 865.436.1200

Park Admission: Free!!!

Link: Official Website

Top Pics: 30 Images

Rating:

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The park's western entrance brings me to Sugarlands Visitor Center. There are two other visitor centers, namely, Oconaluftee and Cades Cove Visitor Centers. All three centers are open year round, except on Christmas Day.

I go inside just long enough to grab a few information pamphlets I'll use on my visit today. Seems there are black bears in the park. I learn a key piece of information from reading the related pamphlet. Namely, do not try to bare-back ride the bears, it really annoys them. They prefer to be saddled. Too bad, I left my saddle back at the ranch.

Wow, here's a little hint of the scenery that's in store for me today. Looking at the foliage, I think I've arrived a little past peak color. Oh well, better late than never. It's a beautiful, sunny November day, I'm certainly not complaining. The park sports 521,752 acres of mostly rugged, mountainous terrain.