The Great Smoky Mountains have a way of leaving you speechless—where words fall short, the landscape speaks for itself. Luckily, a few people have managed to capture its magic. From Franklin D. Roosevelt to Dolly Parton, here are some of our favorite quotes about the Smokies.
Dolly Parton, in Her Own Words
Dolly Parton has spent her life sharing the spirit of the Smokies through music, stories and an unmistakable voice that resonates far beyond Tennessee. Though her career spans the globe, she always finds her way home.
“The Smokies always call me home.”
— Dolly Parton
“When I come here it’s a feeling like nothing else. It has grown, as all things must. But the Smokies will never lose their charm and their magic.”
— Dolly Parton
“We got the most radiant flowers, the biggest assortment of trees. The Smokies have a heart of their own. It’s the way the water flows, the way it sounds, and the way it feels when you get in it. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s my home—but I really don’t think so. I think it’s just one of those special places that God put here for us to enjoy.”
— Dolly Parton
Preserving a National Treasure
The idea for a national park in the Smokies took root in the 1920s, when loggers were rapidly cutting away the old-growth forests. Locals, conservationists and even schoolchildren across the country raised money to help purchase the land. In 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially established—and it became a symbol of both natural beauty and public determination.
“There are trees here that stood before our forefathers ever came to this continent; there are brooks that still run as clear as on the day the first pioneer cupped his hand and drank from them. In this Park, we shall conserve these trees, the pine, the red-bud, the dogwood, the azalea, the rhododendron, the trout and the thrush for the happiness of the American people.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1940 dedication of GSMNP
Townsend: The Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Before U.S. Highway 321 was built, getting into the mountains from Townsend meant following logging rail lines or old wagon roads. Today, it’s known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” a quieter entrance to the national park that holds tight to its roots.
“Nestled at the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Townsend, Tennessee isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have to be. It’s a place where nature and nostalgia collide—where time slows down, and the air tastes cleaner. You won’t find neon lights, but you will find stories: in every diner, every trail, and every neighbor. The mountains are calling.”
— PBS Hometowns
“Townsend, Tennessee, is a quiet town with the Smokies at its front door.”
— Southern Living
East Tennesseans: Shaped by the Land
East Tennessee’s rugged landscape has long shaped its people—independent, community-minded and deeply rooted in place. During the Civil War, the region was largely pro-Union, even as the rest of the state sided with the Confederacy. That same spirit of conviction carried into the 20th century through leaders like Senator Howard Baker of Huntsville, TN, who played a pivotal role in shaping modern bipartisan politics.
“East Tennessee is a land of high hills, deep hollows, and deep convictions.”
— Senator Howard Baker
The area’s geography has also influenced local speech and music. Isolated mountain communities developed distinct vocal styles that can still be heard in traditional and modern Appalachian music.
“When I think about singing, and music, I think about how the people who live on the East Tennessee side have more of a curve or yodel to their voices, and then you think about the curve of mountains.”
— Valerie June, musician
Songs of the Smokies
The earliest songs tied to the Smokies come from Appalachian folk traditions, with melodies and lyrics carried over from early Scots-Irish settlers. “On Top of Old Smoky,” for example, is thought to have roots in 18th-century British ballads, later shaped by American mountain music.
Today, the Smokies continue to show up in country, bluegrass and Americana. Here are a few notable examples:
“Smoky Mountain rain keeps on fallin’ I’ll keep on callin’ her name”
— Ronnie Milsap
“Don’t let Smoky Mountain smoke get in your eyes If you do, I’m tellin’ you You’ll want to live there the rest of your life”
— The Osborne Brothers
“Sing me a song of the Smoky Mountains And I’ll be home by the sun”
— Conner Smith
“Smokey Mountain memories About my home in Tennessee Yesterday keeps calling me, calling me home”
— Earl Thomas Conley
“On top of old Smoky, all covered with snow I lost my true lover from courting too slow”
— Traditional
“I guess that’s why they call them Great Smoky Mountains ‘Cause they cover every trace And they hide a man’s face when he cries”
— Old Crow Medicine Show
“Back to Old Smoky Mountain Back to that old hometown of mine The birds in the trees, and the honeybees Cling to the honeysuckle vine”
— Gene Autry
Do you have a favorite quote about the Smokies? Tag us on social media (@PeacefulSmokies) for a chance to be featured.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
