The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created in 1940, comprising over 522,000 acres of highly scenic forestlands. The beauty of the park has contributed to the popularity of the nearby tourist-oriented towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. The park is accessible by car, with numerous scenic overlooks, and on foot, with hundreds of miles of trails - including a portion of the Appalachian Trail.