Kuwohi Reclaims Its Name: Honoring Cherokee Heritage in the Smoky Mountain

The highest peak at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, will now be officially known by its Cherokee name, Kuwohi. This change, more than 150 years after the mountain was named for a Confederate general, reflects a growing recognition of the Cherokee Nation's enduring connection to the land.

Kuwohi, meaning "mulberry place," is sacred to the Cherokee people and holds deep cultural and historical significance. Visible from the Qualla Boundary, this 6,644-foot peak is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved the name restoration at the request of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, marking a significant moment in honoring Indigenous heritage.

"The Cherokee people have had strong connections to Kuwohi and the surrounding area long before it became a national park," said Superintendent Cassius Cash. The park collaborates with Cherokee schools to share the mountain's history, closing Kuwohi for half-days annually to ensure future generations understand its importance.

This restoration acknowledges the Cherokee story and their deep ties to the land, reaffirming that these sacred spaces are more than landmarks—they are living connections to Cherokee identity and resilience.