• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Cemetery, Trail, and Building Improvements

The Hannah Cemetery after cleaning.

In the Hannah Cemetery, grave markers were reset and the area was cleaned of fallen leaves and debris.

Historic Cemeteries

The maintenance needs of 61 cemeteries located within the park will be addressed by this project. Work will include removing downed and hazardous trees within cemetery perimeters. Encroaching vegetation will be cut back and all debris will be removed from cemetery plots. In addition sunken graves will be filled in and fallen grave markers will be reset.

 

Trail Repair and Rehabilitation

Two trail projects will repair and rehabilitate more than 30 miles of scenic trails in the park.

The first project will rehabilitate 10.4 miles of the Dry Sluice, Sweat Heifer, and Grassy Branch trails. These trails provide loop hiking opportunities that include one of the most scenic sections of the Appalachian Trail. Several popular backcountry camping destinations are located on these trails. Rehabilitation work will include regrading the trail corridor and installing soil erosion control structures. Work will also include replacement of log foot bridges over stream crossings, replacement of ineffective and eroded water bars, brush cutting to assure safe trail corridor clearance, and the repair of rock retaining walls that are supporting the trail.

The second project will rehabilitate 22 miles of horse trails, including Panther Creek, Lead Cove, Finley Cane, Miry Ridge, West Prong, Schoolhouse Gap, and Snake Den Ridge. The project will involve replacing damaged water bars, trail regrading, removal of encroaching brush, turnpiking of wet areas, boulder removal, hazardous tree removal, and repairing treadway damage.

 
Trail crews work to repair an eroded trail. Before and after photos.
Before and after photos of work done on a badly eroded trail in the park.
 

Repair Roofs and Paint Buildings

Roofing material will be replaced on 29 park buildings. The project will involve removing old roofing material, minor repairs, and the installation of new roofing material along with metal flashing as needed. In addition, 13 park buildings will receive a fresh coat of exterior paint, which will involve the removal of loose or flaking paint, minor replacement of deteriorated siding, priming and application of paint.

 
Repair crew working on the Cades Cove Campground ranger station.
New siding was installed on the Cades Cove Campground ranger station.
 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act logo
These projects are being paid for with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Did You Know?

President Roosevelt at the park's Rockefeller Memorial.

Money to buy the land that became Great Smoky Mountains National Park was raised by individuals, private groups, and even school children who pledged their pennies. In addition, the Laura Spellman Rockefeller Memorial Fund donated $5 million to create the park.