Sunday, August 30, 2026

Question: What Cherokee word was originally used to describe the Great Smoky Mountains?

Answer: Shaconage. The Great Smoky Mountains get their name from their smoky appearance. The original Cherokee word to describe the mountain range was “Shaconage” which means “Land of the Blue Smoke. This “smoke” is a blue-tinged fog or mist that is created by the plants in the national park.