Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Whether hikers want to follow the spine of a mountain, visit the remains of an old mountain dwelling, or wander among 500-year-old hemlock trees,” this book will help them get there. An exploration of one of America’s national parks, the book begins by introducing the reader to the geological history and ecosystem of the Great Smoky Mountains. It then recounts the settling of the land by Native and European Americans as well as the politics surrounding the park’s formation in the early twentieth century. The park’s ecology, the many animals a visitor can expect to find, such as otters, wild turkey, and boars, and the effects of human activity are discussed as well. The book, filled with stunning, full-color photographs, ends with an appealing description of what the park has to offer, including 100-mile mountaintop views and river rafting. Back matter includes notes on animals, itineraries, side trips, and safety, a glossary, a bibliography, a list of relevant Web sites, and an index.