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State Bucket List
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in America, and it earns that distinction. The 4.4-mile Alum Cave Trail climbs through old-growth forest to a dramatic overhanging bluff with views across the Smokies' blue ridges -- a hike that rewards every step of the climb. The park's biodiversity, with more tree species than all of northern Europe, makes every season a different experience.
The Smokies' fall foliage season -- typically mid-October at elevation -- is one of the most spectacular natural events in the eastern United States. The combination of old-growth forest, dramatic geology, and accessible trails makes Great Smoky Mountains one of the most complete national park experiences in the country.
This Tennessee adventure is drawn from Outdoor Taste + Tour's reporting on the best national parks for first-time visitors.
The most-visited national park in America earns it. The 4.4-mile Alum Cave Trail climbs through old-growth forest to a dramatic overhanging bluff with views across the Smokies' blue ridges.
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