Shuttle Hiking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most bio-diverse spot north of the tropics. It is home to 90 percent of the old growth forest left east of the Mississippi River, and contains 16 Champion Trees (the largest ones for their species on the planet). It has nine distinct forest types, more species of trees and aquatic life than all of Europe, and depending on the elevation, climate ranging from Georgia to Quebec. It is truly the jewel of our Park system. Download a map of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and get familiar with the Park (see Maps located on the right sidebar). The most widely used map for hiking and backpacking is made by National Geographic. Purchase a National Geographic trail map online.