Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Cover photo: _Sunrise from Mt. LeConte, Great Smoky Mountains National Park._ Handbook 112 Great Smoky Mountains Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina and Tennessee Produced by the Division of Publications National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 1981 The National Park Handbook Series National Park Handbooks, compact introductions to the great natural and historic places administered by the National Park Service, are designed to promote understanding and enjoyment of the parks. Each is intended to be informative reading and a useful guide before, during, and after a park visit. More than 100 titles are in print. This is Handbook 112. You may purchase the handbooks through the mail by writing to Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. About This Book Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the North Carolina-Tennessee border and encompasses the climax of the Appalachian Mountain System. Major attractions are the mountains themselves, the preserved structures and lore of mountain folklife, stupendous displays of flowering plants and shrubs, fall colors, wild animals, superb hiking opportunities, and gorgeous rivers, streams, and waterfalls. This handbook is published in support of the National Park Service’s management policies and interpretive programs at the park. Part 1 gives a brief introduction to what you may find in a leisurely visit to the park; Part 2 outlines the natural history of the mountains and their valleys; and Part 3 presents concise travel guide and reference materials. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data United States. National Park Service. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee. (National park handbook; 112) Includes index. 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (N.C. and Tenn.) I. Title. II. Series: Handbook (United States. National Park Service. Division of Publications); 112. F443.G7U63 1981 976.8’89 81-11320 AACR2 Contents