9) Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina
This great mountain range forms the border between two states, Tennessee and North Carolina, and is considered to be one of the most popular national parks in the continental United States. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is part of an international biosphere reserve, which seeks to preserve the area’s natural biodiversity through sustainable methods. The name, the Smokies, comes from the fog that drapes itself over the rolling mountain range. The fog is the result of chemical reactions resulting from the decomposition of organic materials. There are a number of notable mountain peaks, with the tallest being Mount Le Conte. Newfoundland Gap Road offers you miles and miles of things to see, but make sure you stop at Clingman’s Dome. It is the highest peak in the park, and tops all others in the state of Tennessee. Visitors will be delighted to know that they’ll be in for black bear sightings, too.
