Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the United States. Carly Pearson, who is paralyzed below the waist from a wildland firefighter injury, used an all-terrain wheelchair to navigate through the park.
Two years ago, that wouldn’t have been a possibility. The National Park Service and their partners adopted adaptive programming to make the park more accessible for visitors with disabilities.
“Today, I can hike on up to Cataract Falls with my daughter and say, ‘Look at this. Look at this waterfall right now,’ and give her the opportunity to be immersed in nature,” said Pearson to USA TODAY.
About The Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park encompassing over 522,000 acres along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Established in 1934, the national park attracted over 14 million people in 2020.
The park is known for its diverse plant and animal life, with lush forests and a variety of flowers that bloom year-round. The landscape includes streams, rivers, and cascading waterfalls alongside scenic hiking trails that include the popular Appalachian Trail. Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest peak, offers panoramic views of the mountains from its observation tower.
PR Perspective
With the national park providing inclusive options, visitors with disabilities are able to experience the beauty of the park firsthand. Paved trails such as the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail are a great opportunity for visitors to check out.
With positive media coverage and word-of-mouth praise, the park’s image can further enhanced, attracting new visitors and improving their reputation as a must-see destination.
The Great Smoky Mountains are becoming a more welcoming destination for everyone. Plan your visit here!
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Featured Image by Pexels
Bianca Genevie Abello 
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