The Smoky Mountains, also known as the Great Smoky Mountains, are a mountain range located along the border between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina in the southeastern United States
. They are part of the Appalachian Mountain system and specifically a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains
. The range extends from the northeastern tip of Tennessee into the western part of North Carolina, covering a broad area within the Appalachian region
. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which protects most of the range, has main entrances in Gatlinburg and Townsend in Tennessee, and Cherokee in North Carolina
. The highest peak in the Smoky Mountains is Clingmans Dome, which rises to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and is located within the park
. The mountains are well known for their natural mist or "smoke," caused by the vegetation releasing organic compounds that create a blue-hued fog over the landscape, giving the mountains their name
. In summary, the Smoky Mountains are primarily situated on the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the eastern United States, forming a significant part of the Appalachian Mountains and protected largely by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
