GETTING THERE

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina state line in the Southern Appalachians. The closest major highway is Interstate 40, which runs through Knoxville, Tenn., to the west and Asheville, N.C., to the east.

Knoxville's McGhee-Tyson Airport, www.tys.org, 15 miles south of Knoxville and 45 miles west of Gatlinburg, is the closest airport to the park. One-stop connections are available from Fort Lauderdale and Miami on various airlines.

INFORMATION

Gateways: The visitor's bureaus of the following gateway communities all provide information on lodging, dining and other attractions in the Smoky Mountain region via their Web sites and visitor's guides: Cherokee, N.C., 800-438-1601; www.cherokee-nc.com; Gatlinburg, Tenn., 800-343-1475 or www.gatlinburg.com; Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 800-251-9100 or www.mypigeonforge.com; Sevierville, Tenn., 800-255-6411 or www.seviervilletourism.com; and Townsend, Tenn., 800-525-6834 or www.smokymountains.org.

Park information: The park's website, www.nps.gov/grsm, includes downloadable maps of the park and the surrounding region, campsite reservations, information on activities (including horseback riding, picnicking, wildlife viewing, waterfall hikes, workshops and classes, ranger programs, fishing, biking and auto touring), wildlife viewing tips and a downloadable trip planner.

Other good resources for park information include two major nonprofit organizations that support the park: The Great Smoky Mountains Association, 888-898-9102, www.smokiesinformation.org; and Friends of the Smokies, 800-845-5665, www.friendsofthesmokies.orgq. For updated information on the park's 75th anniversary celebration, www.greatsmokies75th.org.

-- KATY KOONTZ