ArcaMax

Are you a windshield tourist? That's what they call the many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park who simply traverse the park's famous 30-plus mile Newfound Gap Road through the park and don't get out of the car much, if at all.

That's a real shame, given there is so much to do here -- more than 800 miles of hiking trails (including the chance to walk a bit on the famous 2,180-mile Appalachian Trail) horseback riding, fantastic fishing and the chance to see historic settlers' cabins, schoolhouses, churches, grist mills and more.

I've been thinking a lot about what Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer, as I've been working on my latest Kid's Guide -- to the nation's most visited national park. Yes, that's Great Smoky Mountains with more than 9 million visitors -- almost three times the number Yellowstone gets!

And let's not forget that as the National Park Service gets ready to celebrate its centennial next year. To commemorate the milestone, this school year, the Every Kid in a Park program will give every fourth-grader and family free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges and more.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the few that doesn't charge admission. It's also got lots of territory to explore -- more than half a million acres divided almost evenly between North Carolina and Tennessee that's especially beautiful during fall foliage season.

That's all the more reason to linger. Perhaps your kids aren't in school yet, or you are a home-schooler. Maybe you've got a fall break? Fall foliage is spectacular in the Smokies and you'll find plenty to do outside the park, as well as in neighboring Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, whether you want to gather the family for a weekend at a big mountain cabin, shop for local crafts and meet the artisans -- woodcarvers and quilters, metal workers and weavers -- eat traditional Southern cooking or visit Dollywood, where a new resort has just opened and Dolly Parton has made the focus as much on the heritage and culture of the Smokies as on theme park attractions. Starting Sept. 22 and lasting until Nov.1, there's a National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration at Dollywood with special concerts.

Has camping been on your to-do list? Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 10 campgrounds. If tent camping doesn't appeal, Rent an RV or camper and experience a different kind of camping adventure kids love. "Family Fun in the Smokies" by Katy Koontz and published by the Great Smoky Mountains Association is a great resource to help you plan.

Have your kids ever seen a salamander up close? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is called 'the Salamander Capital of the World "because there are at least 30 species here, more than anywhere else.

When was the last time you braked for an elk? They were nearly killed off here by over hunting and loss of their habitat, but they began to be reintroduced in 2001 and now the elk herd is over 125. During the fall breeding season (known as "rut") male elk make their unique bugling calls to challenge other bulls and attract cows. You can hear the calls from a mile away

A great way to explore this park and others with the kids is for them to become Junior Rangers. (Online, they can become WebRangers where they can share pictures and stories, play activities and more.) Pick up the official Junior Ranger booklet ($2.50) at any park visitor center. (There are different booklets and activities for different age groups. For example, the five and six year olds are encouraged to ask rangers questions like "What happens if I feed the animals I see in the park?" (They'll starve in the winter!)

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