Spanning both North Carolina and Tennessee lies America’s most visited national park. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park you’ll find rolling green mountains, lush valleys, diverse wildlife and traces of the area’s Appalachian culture. In addition to the amazing scenic drives, the park is also good for hiking, backpacking, fishing and biking. The park is also home to black bears, elk, coyotes and bobcats among others. And if you go at the right time, the park is one of the premier spots to witness the fall foliage.

Established in 1934, the park is about a three hour drive from the large population centers of Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville. For this reason, the park is by far the most visited in the country, drawing over 12,000,000 people. During the summer high season, roads can be congested and crowding can be a problem. Also, you’ll find crowds in October to see the foliage. To avoid crowds, try to travel earlier or later in the day, or on weekdays. If you’re planning on staying at one of the park’s nine campgrounds, you’ll need to book far in advance for the summer months.