GEOGRAPHY AND LANDFORMS The Unaka Mountains region is the most rugged in the state and rises along the eastern border. This area has forests and high peaks including Clingman's Dome, Tennessee's highest point. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also here.

Yes, Tennessee is home to some of the most prominent and ancient mountain ranges in North America. The eastern third of the state is dominated by the Appalachian Mountains, which include several sub-ranges like the Unaka, Bald, and Iron Mountains. The most famous of these is the Great Smoky Mountains, which straddle the border with North Carolina. Tennessee's highest peak, Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome), reaches an elevation of 6,643 feet. These mountains are a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting thousands of species of plants and animals. The region is characterized by high ridges, deep "coves" (secluded valleys), and a persistent blue-tinged mist that gives the Smokies their name. Millions of visitors travel to eastern Tennessee annually to explore these peaks via the Appalachian Trail, which traverses 74 miles within the state, offering spectacular views of one of the world's oldest geological formations.