Photos & Multimedia

Autumn is a time of transition. As hot summer afternoons give way to crisp fall days, all manner of winged species pass through the Smokies on their way south for the winter.

Humans seem to be the only forms of life in the Smokies that rely on a calendar. For the other 21,000+ species discovered in these mountains so far, knowing when to sing, bloom, or set out in search of food depends on paying close attention to environmental cues.

For thousands of years, there has been a human footprint on the Smokies landscape. Traces of these stories can still be found in the routes of trails first created by Cherokee people and the many historic homes, schools, churches, and mills maintained by the park’s Forever Places preservation crew.

At Purchase Knob, more than 30 apple trees have persisted for well over a hundred years, despite decades without human care. When they were planted in the late 1800s by John Fergsuon, he found that the high elevation and cool nights were favorable to both production and storage. Now, the NPS is taking steps to stabilize these trees by clearing encroaching vegetation, removing dead or damaged limbs, and using DNA analysis to identify specific varieties.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a site with scientific value. One such scientific landmark is the work of Robert Whittaker, whose PhD dissertation research in the 1940s illuminated the complexity of ecological succession. His work has had a lasting effect on the field of ecology ever since.

The Voorheis Estate, a landscape within the North District of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, encompass the former mountain retreat developed by Louis E. Voorheis from 1928-1944. It is an example of Rustic style architecture and landscape architecture, evident in the form of structures and designed water features.

More than beautiful, monarch butterflies contribute to the health of our planet. While feeding on nectar, they pollinate many types of wildflowers, yet one of the greatest threats to Monarch populations is loss of habitat.

Student interns get their hands dirty while looking for tiny salamanders at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Air quality profile for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Great Smoky Mountains NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Great Smoky Mountains NP.