For centuries, the majesty and mystery of the Great Smoky Mountains have lured mankind. The Cherokee were among the first to build thriving communities here, and backcountry frontiersmen were next to put down roots. In time, visitors arrived, eager to take in the cool mountain air, and returned home with stories of hillbillies. Then came those who used the mountains for their own advantages, such as lumber barons, armed with steam shovels and skidders. Eventually, civic boosters from western North Carolina and east Tennessee took note and began advocating for the protection of the Great Smoky Mountains. Before a national park could be established, though, there were competing interests to be sorted and a consideration of the lives affected.

For more than twenty years, the Insiders’ Guide® series has been the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information—from true insiders whose personal, practical perspective gives you everything you need to know. The Great Smoky Mountains and their environs have been one of America’s most popular vacation destinations for more than half a century—and for good reason. From the awe-inspiring natural beauty and peaceful tranquility of the region’s wilderness areas to the world-famous craftspeople and attractions that make East Tennessee a first-rate family destination, this authoritative guide shows you how to take full advantage of the many wonders of “the Smokies.” Inside you'll find: • Countless details on how to live and thrive in the area, from the best places to shop and dine to neighborhoods and real estate • The inside scoop on the real Smokies, including mountain crafts, music theater, and Dollywood • Comprehensive listings of annual events, accommodations, and recreation opportunities • Sections dedicated to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the arts, children, and much more

Focusing on the Great Smoky Mountains--America's most-visited national park--this book is full of useful information for fly fishers curious to learn more about flies and fly patterns.

The Best Short Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains Kenneth Wise and James Andrews Located astride the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains more than one hundred trails that trace eight hundred miles of rugged terrain. This fact is certain to bewilder any newcomer who might be eager to explore the Park's backcountry but is unsure where to start. This book, intended as a beginner's guide to hiking the Smokies, offers lively, informative descriptions of twenty-two trails that can be completed in a day or less. For anyone who has yet to discover the beauty of the Smokies, the highest North American mountains east of the Mississippi, the trails described here offer a splendid introduction. Scenic overlooks at Mount Le Conte, Clingmans Dome, Gregory Bald, and other peaks are included along these pathways, as are some of the well-known waterfalls of the Park, such as Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Ramsay Cascades. In addition to vital data about the length of the trail, its elevation gain, and "how to get there," each trail description is packed with interesting facts and Smoky Mountain lore. Detailed maps are also included. In their introduction, the authors provide a brief overview of the park's history as well as useful tips for novice hikers. The Authors: Kenneth Wise, an administrator at the University of Tennessee Library, Knoxville, has hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than twenty years. He is the author of Hiking Trails of the Great Smoky Mountains: A Comprehensive Guide. James Andrews,a partner in the firm of Andrews, Hudson & Wall, P.C., has hiked the Park trails for more than a decade. He is the coauthor, with Wise, of The Best Overnight Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Located astride the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains more than one hundred trails that trace eight hundred miles of rugged terrain. This fact is certain to bewilder any newcomer who might be eager to explore the Park's backcountry but is unsure where to start. This book, intended as a beginner's guide to hiking the Smokies, offers lively, informative descriptions of twenty-two trails that can be completed in a day or less. For anyone who has yet to discover the beauty of the Smokies, the highest North American mountains east of the Mississippi, the trails described here offer a splendid introduction. Scenic overlooks at Mount Le Conte, Clingmans Dome, Gregory Bald, and other peaks are included along these pathways, as are some of the well-known waterfalls of the Park, such as Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Ramsay Cascades. In addition to vital data about the length of the trail, its elevation gain, and "how to get there," each trail description is packed with interesting facts and Smoky Mountain lore. Detailed maps are also included. In their introduction, the authors provide a brief overview of the park's history as well as useful tips for novice hikers. The Authors: Kenneth Wise, an administrator at the University of Tennessee Library, Knoxville, has hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than twenty years. He is the author of Hiking Trails of the Great Smoky Mountains: A Comprehensive Guide. James Andrews,a partner in the firm of Andrews, Hudson & Wall, P.C., has hiked the Park trails for more than a decade. He is the coauthor, with Wise, of The Best Overnight Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains.

* If you're heading to the Smokies, you'll need this guidebook! * All the trails, camping information, and best attractions for visitors of Great Smoky Mountain National Park This guidebook offers a mix of day hikes and overnight backpacking trails, and expanded natural history and background information on the Smoky Mountains, making it the most complete guidebook to the region. Divided into sections covering Tennessee and North Carolina, the guide is arranged so that all of the Tennessee trails can be done with a link, via the Newfound Gap Road, to the North Carolina trails and vice versa. All trails are grouped by access point, and each hiking description includes mileage, elevation change, difficulty rating, camping information, cautions, links to other trails, and attractions. Special lists cover the best waterfalls, stands of old-growth forest, historic structures, wildflower spots, and mountain views. Additional chapters feature information on geology, flora and fauna, park history, and more.

Discover the history and lore of this region’s legendary outdoorsmen—and their faithful dogs: “Well worth reading” (Bear Hunting Magazine). Man versus beast—it’s an age-old struggle that has been part of the rugged terrain of the Great Smoky Mountains since humans first encountered the region centuries ago. Bob Plott, a descendant of the breeder of the Plott hound and an avid outdoorsman in North Carolina, takes readers on a quest back through time for a glimpse into the minds and the rifles of the region’s most intrepid hunters. From the primitive weaponry and prevailing tactics of the Cherokee to the audacious rifle-toting ridge runners, and even a gruesome gang of cannibalistic rogues, these stories are truly a gripping tribute to mountain life and the adventure of the game.

The Ultimate Fly-Fishing Guide to the Smoky Mountains does more than any other book in print to bring success to a fishing trip. This newly updated landmark volume is an essential guide for anyone planning to fish the rivers, streams, and lakes in the Smokies -- these fisheries are some of the greatest in the nation. For successful fly-fishing, this guide is as important as the right tackle. The first half of this guide offers advice and history. The second half examines each of the 13 watersheds found within the park. Don Kirk and Greg Ward provide information about trail access, fishing pressure and quality, species, fly hatch information, and campsite availability.