Turnout received a boost from the National Park Service Centennial, a yearlong celebration of the Park Service’s 100th year that encouraged people to get out and experience the national parks. 

Weatherwise, the notoriously dry year included fewer rainy days than the norm, which could have also propped up the numbers. However, wildfire season resulted in regionwide smoke that could also have discouraged visitation, and the park’s main throughfare was closed completely from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8 following the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, which escaped the park to roar through Gatlinburg propelled by hurricane-force winds. The fire resulted in 14 deaths and $500 million worth of property damage. 

Whatever the factors, visitation was undeniably high, with the 2015 record already broken by the time November ended. 

More than 2,200 people joined Superintendent Cassius Cash by completing the Smokies Centennial Hike 100 Challenge by exploring 100 miles of park trails. 

“I continue to be inspired by the number of people enjoying the park, but more importantly, I am moved by their unwavering support and care for this special place,” Cash said. “This support is more critical than ever since we have entered into our second century of service and recovery following the Chimney Tops fire. The response of the Smoky Mountains community, both near and far, has been remarkable and we thank you.”

Over the course of the year, 2,230 park volunteers donated 117,000 hours of service. 

Frontcountry camping grew to 327,000 campers, up 3.1 percent from 2015, and backcountry camping grew to 109,000 campers, up 12 percent from 2015. 

Further statistics are available at irma.nps.gov/stats.