As you drive through the hazy blue ridges, the allure of the Smokies becomes apparent. The mist that curls off the endless layers of forested peaks conceals a world of waterfalls, wildlife, and traces of Appalachian culture. With over 12 million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. And it's no wonder.

The Great Smoky Mountains beckoned with ancient whispers and the secrets of untamed lands, drawing me into their mist-laden valleys and...