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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Roaring Fork
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![A small waterfall on the Roaring Fork river A small waterfall on the Roaring Fork river](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/images/waterfall-maslona250.jpg) |
Mike Maslona Photo | |
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Highlights: wildflower viewing, historic buildings
This narrow, winding, 5-mile-long road invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the Roaring Fork area. This area is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well- preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings.
An inexpensive booklet, keyed to numbered posts along the way, is available at visitor centers and at the start of the road.
To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park. Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter). This narrow, paved road winds for six miles beside rich forests, waterfalls, and streams. Buses, trailers, and motor homes are not permitted on the motor nature trail.
Mileage to Roaring Fork:
from Gatlinburg—1
from Cherokee—35
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Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Grotto Falls in Roaring Fork Grotto Falls in Roaring Fork](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRSM_3701-grotto.jpg) Waterfalls Waterfalls can be found on nearly every stream in the park. more... | | ![Black bear Black bear](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRSM_cub.jpg) Black Bears An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park. more... | | ![Click to access maps of the national park Click to access maps of the national park](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRSM_map-highlight.jpg) Download Park Maps Maps of trails and campgrounds as well as general park maps are available. more... | | ![Spring Wildflowers Spring Wildflowers](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRSM_4885-trillium.jpg) Spring Wildflowers The Great Smoky Mountains are known as the "Wildflower National Park." more... | |
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![Great Horned Owls can be heard most often in January and February Great Horned Owls can be heard most often in January and February](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512050910im_/http://www.nps.gov/ser/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRSM_dyk928owl.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
More than 240 species of birds have been found in the park. Sixty species are year-round residents. Nearly 120 species breed in the park, including 52 species from the neo-tropics. Many other species use the park as an important stopover and foraging area during their semiannual migration.
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Last Updated: February 28, 2007 at 16:12 EST |