Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
800 square miles of Southern Appalachian ridgeline, cove hardwoods, and the highest concentration of black bears in the East.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Tennessee / North Carolina, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
- Best season
- April – May, September – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
- Best season: April – May, September – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
800 square miles of Southern Appalachian ridgeline, cove hardwoods, and the highest concentration of black bears in the East.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – May, September – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Southern Appalachian forest (300–2,000 m)
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Plan with verified data
Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry trip tools
Popular pursuits at Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishLargemouth BassMicropterus nigricans
Wildlife guideNorth American beaverCastor canadensis
Big gameWild HogSus scrofa
GamefishRed DrumSciaenops ocellatus
Wildlife guideSnowshoe hareLepus americanus
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus