If you’ve ever planned a trip to Tennessee or North Carolina, you may have seen the terms “national park” and “national forest” when consulting your map! These names are often confused with each other, especially since they work together to provide us with a wide spectrum of important uses! However, you’ll find that even though there are some similarities, they do serve different purposes. Here are 3 ways to distinguish between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the national forests in Tennessee and North Carolina:
1. Goal of National Parks Versus National Forests
National parks emphasize the strict preservation of pristine areas, primarily focusing on protecting national and historic resources for future generations. This is why you’ll find several well-preserved historical structures on Cades Cove Loop Road and in other areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the other hand, national forests emphasize other kinds of use in addition to resource preservation. Under the concept of “multiple use,” national forests are managed to provide Americans with a wide variety of services and commodities. Some examples of these services include lumber, cattle grazing, mineral products, and recreation.
2. Rules of National Parks Compared to National Forests
Another one of the important ways to distinguish between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the national forests of Tennessee and North Carolina is to consider the rules of each entity. After all, since each of these serves a different purpose, a different set of rules are established. As an example, hunting is forbidden within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park but permitted in the national forests with the proper permits. In addition, dogs are typically allowed on national forest trails but not on most national park trails. Always remember to check the specific rules of each destination before you visit, as a perfectly legal activity in a national forest may be illegal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
3. The Professionals Who Manage and Protect the Public Lands
Whether you are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the national forests in Tennessee and North Carolina, you’ll find professionals who manage and protect these public lands. National parks have park rangers who work for the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior, and they enforce laws related to safety, cleanliness, and fire prevention. They also serve many other roles, such as monitoring wildlife, providing educational and interpretive talks, and keeping trails free of debris. The national forests are managed by forest rangers with the U.S. Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. Their job is very similar to the park rangers in that they enforce environmental conservation laws, patrol protected areas to monitor wildlife, and preserve public amenities like trails and campgrounds.
Now that you know how to distinguish between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the national forests in Tennessee and North Carolina, plan a trip to experience all of these beautiful destinations! Learn more about the national forests in North Carolina and Tennessee that surround Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
