National Park Mysteries & Disappearances: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the most visited national parks in the country has a dark side.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with 12.1 million recreational visits in 2020. Aside from crowds of hikers, campers, and general tourists, there's a dark side to the Smokies, the town of Gatlinburg and the surrounding foothills. From strange disappearances, grisly murders and bone-chilling paranormal hauntings and ghost sightings; this pristine paradise has a lot more to offer than just serene hiking trails or camping.

So, put aside your nature guidebooks, forget about the pretty leaves, and the relaxing streams as well as the miniature golf, the funnel cakes and all the other "tourist traps" and prepare for a wild ride on the dark side of the Great Smoky Mountains.