National Park History

One of the most fascinating historical structures you’ll discover in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the John Oliver Cabin, which happens to be the first historic relic along Cades Cove Loop Road! This building is thought to be the oldest human structure in the park and dates back to the early 1820s, so be sure to include a visit on your sightseeing itinerary in the Smokies! Here are the top 4 things to know about the John Oliver Cabin on Cades Cove Loop Road:

If you are planning to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, consider stopping at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There are many things to explore inside the visitor center and outside on the grounds. Here are 3 reasons to visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

If you’re an avid hiker, you may have made your way to the summit of Mount LeConte, the third tallest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are 5 different trails you can use to reach the summit of this mountain, and you can even spend the night at LeConte Lodge if you don’t want to hike back down the mountain the same day. The only way to reach the lodge is by one of these trails because there are no roads, so supplies are actually taken to the top of the mountain by llamas! Keep reading to learn more about the llamas that take supplies to LeConte Lodge:

Cades Cove is one of the most visited areas inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a 11-mile loop road that you can take that provides amazing views of the Smokies and the opportunity to see wildlife. The next time you visit, you will have an even greater appreciation for the area once you know the story behind it. Here is the brief history of Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains:

Long before the Great Smoky Mountains were part of a national park, it was an area rich in agriculture and pioneers coming to the area to live a simple life. Among these people were the Walker Sisters and their ancestors before them, and they refused to let the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park disturb their way of life. Keep reading to learn more about the unusual history of the Walker Sisters:

Long before the first European settlers arrived in the Southeastern United States, these lands were home to the prospering Cherokee Nation. This tribe has called the Smoky Mountains home for thousands of years and has left a lasting impact on this area. Here is a brief Smoky Mountains history of the Cherokee Tribe:

When you explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you are constantly reminded that people once lived here with remains such as old cabins, churches, homesteads, and cemeteries. In fact, there are more than 150 documented cemeteries within the boundary of the park that offer a glimpse into past burial customs, religious beliefs, and cultural influences! Here are 4 cemeteries that are a fascinating part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park history:

Millions of travelers visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year! While many visitors enjoy staying in hotels and cabins others come looking for a more outdoorsy, rustic experience. However, there are not a lot of options when it comes to lodging at the Smoky Mountains National Park. At least not inside the park. You can camp in tents or RVs at campgrounds, but the only cabin style lodging in the park is the LeConte Lodge.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is paradise for history buffs! There are numerous historical landmarks scattered throughout the park for visitors to explore. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we’ve put together a guide to the top 6 historical places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.