LOCAL INFORMATION

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a major tourist attraction in the region; over
9 million tourists and 11 million non-recreational visitors traveled to the park were recorded
in 2003, double that of any other national park. Surrounding towns, notably Gatlinburg,
Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, Tennessee receive a significant portion of their income
from tourism associated with the park.

Gatlinburg is located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a bustling,
year-round resort community offering indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Gatlinburg
is the second most popular place in America for honeymooners. Romantic getaways, family vacations, corporate meetings, and honeymoons can be easily accommodated in Gatlinburg.

Pigeon Forge is one of the primary gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over half of the nearly 11 million visitors to the Smokies pass through Pigeon Forge, located on U.S. Highway 441, within a day's drive of two thirds of the nation's population. The name Pigeon Forge was derived in 1820 when Isaac Love built an iron forge on the Little Pigeon River.  Although the forge was dismantled in 1885, a mill was built around the same time and still operates today using the same machinery.