The Sacred Summit of the Smokies
Climb the highest peak of the Great Smoky Mountains and learn why Kuwohi is one of the most popular and sacred spots in America
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (21st Century) by NPS / Victoria StauffenbergNational Park Service
Rich cultural tapestry
Beneath the blue mist of the Great Smoky Mountains lies a story spanning millennia. From prehistoric Paleo-Indians and 1800s settlers, to 20th-century loggers and the Civilian Conservation Corps, the national park preserves a cultural legacy as enduring as the ancient mountains themselves.
Abrams Creek and Look Rock Area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee by National Park ServiceNational Park Service
Southern Appalachian ties
Long before it was a national park, the Great Smoky Mountains were the ancestral homeland of the Cherokee. Rooted in hunting, trading, and agriculture, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians maintain an unbroken bond with these ancient peaks today.
Oconaluftee Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina by National Park ServiceNational Park Service
Appalachian trail
At the pinnacle of the Smokies, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) and Newfound Gap bridge North Carolina and Tennessee. Following the same ancestral pathways of the Cherokee, the Appalachian Trail and winding mountain roads cut through dense spruce-fir forests.
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Kuwohi trail
Kuwohi, meaning “mulberry place” in Cherokee, marks the tallest point in Tennessee and the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi. Drawing over 650,000 visitors a year, it is one of the most popular sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Room at the top
Take Kuwohi Road to the summit's visitor center. From the parking area, a steep, one-mile paved path leads to the highly popular observation tower, offering a spectacular lookout from the very top of the Smokies.
Mountain View in the fall, Great Smoky Mountains National Park by National Park ServiceNational Park Service
The highest peak in the Smokies offers panoramic views and is visible from the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Whether standing at the summit or viewing from afar, connection to the land goes beyond distance.
View over Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina by National Park Service and Victoria StauffenbergNational Park Service
Honoring the homeland
For Indigenous peoples, connection to the land goes far beyond geography. The earth is a living entity holding the history, spirituality, and identity of generations. This enduring bond helps us to understand exactly why places like Kuwohi are considered deeply sacred and are protected.
Discover more
There are more trails, history and fabulous views across all the National Parks. Find out more about the US National Park Service.
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