The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in my backyard. It is one of my favorite places ever. Even after trips half way around the globe, I still look forward to my next visit to the Smokies. Surprisingly, it is one of the most diverse ecosystems that you'll find anywhere. And one of the few national parks that does not charge an entrance fee. That helps make it the most visited national park in the US. I don't know if it is true, but I have read that Cades Cove alone receives more visitors in a year than all of Yosemite!