As National Park Week unfurls its green banners, let's take a stroll down Sparks Lane, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. Established in 1934, the park encompasses over 522,419 acres of wilderness, mostly covered with forests. It is home to 1,500 species of flowering plants, 952 algae, 65 species of mammals, and over 240 species of birds, making it an International Biosphere Reserve.

Cades Cove—seen in today's photo—is a valley renowned for its scenery and historic structures, including log cabins, barns, and churches. While exploring the park, you can also visit historical areas like Roaring Fork, Cataloochee, and Elkmont. If you wish to watch fireflies, then Elkmont is the place for you, and if you are a geologist, there's something for you too: This park is home to late Precambrian rocks. So, set your spirit of adventure free and join others to celebrate the timeless American treasure: national parks!