Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today! camping An official form of the United States government. Provided by Touchpoints Permits & Reservations Permits Wedding Permits: Plan your special day in the park. Special Event Permits: Required for certain organized activities and events. First Amendment Activities: Political events, public assemblies, demonstrations, the distribution of literature, church services and other similar activities. Plan your visit An official form of the United States government. Provided by Touchpoints National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other bona fide national and international educational institutions to obtain a waiver of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tag fee, provided that the visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities the group proposes to use support those. Fishing in the Smokies Each year, roughly 800,000 visitors fish for brook, brown or rainbow trout in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park boasts approximately 2,900 miles of streams, safeguarding one of the last remaining wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. While only about 20% of the park's streams are large enough to support trout populations, they provide an array of fishing experiences. Anglers can choose from remote headwater trout streams to larger, cool-water. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC. Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles and is one of the most pristine natural areas in the Eastern United States. An auto tour of the park offers a variety of experiences, including panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams, weathered historic buildings, and mature hardwood forests stretching to the horizon. Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds remain open year-round. The park's eight other campgrounds and five horse camps close seasonally. Backcountry (backpacking) campsites are open year-round. Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier and Metcalf Bottoms picnic areas are open year-round. Check the status of the remaining picnic areas. visitor centers An official form of the United States government. Provided by Touchpoints.