Spanning more than 520,000 acres of the southern Appalachians, the Great Smoky Mountains is one of only three US national parks to straddle state lines (along with Yellowstone and Death Valley). Shared almost evenly between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smokies are renowned for misty mountains, wonderful waterfalls and ethereal forests that rustle with wildlife. But they are so much more than your typical tourist attraction.

Click through the gallery to discover America’s most-visited national park and its fascinating stats, sights and stories...