Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you love the gorgeous sight of Smoky Mountain wildflowers in the springtime, you won’t want to miss the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage! This popular annual event takes place in late April and features professionally-guided walks, exhibits, and other learning opportunities to explore the region’s rich natural and cultural resources! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll want to experience the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage:

Are you looking for a low-maintenance activity on your next trip to Tennessee or North Carolina? If so, you should consider spending the day looking at gorgeous natural scenery. Did you know you can do that from the comfort of your car? Scenic drives offer some of the best opportunities to explore the Smokies. With that being said, here is a list of 3 reasons why you should embark on one of the Smoky Mountain scenic drives:

When planning a vacation to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville, you may be wondering, “When is the best time of year to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?” You’ll be happy to know that many people visit the park year-round to see the beautiful natural scenery. Even so, there may be more ideal times of year to do certain activities, and we want to help you decide the best time to visit based on what you’re looking for. Here is when you should visit if you want to see fall foliage or snow, or if you just want to get out and explore:

The Cades Cove Riding Stables is preparing to open for another exciting season at the beginning of March, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy this family-friendly destination! This is the only national park-authorized riding stables of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cades Cove, and they offer several unique ways to experience the stunning beauty of the Cades Cove section of the park! Here are 3 fun activities at Cades Cove Riding Stables for the whole family:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful park filled with many areas to explore! In order to maintain the beauty and keep it thriving for generations to come, a parking fee will be required starting in early March 2023. Here is everything you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains parking fee coming 2023:

While the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park will continue to be free, the park is instituting a parking tag program that begins on March 1, 2023. Therefore, if you are visiting the park anytime on/after that date and plan to park your vehicle for more than 15 minutes at any location within the park, a paid parking tag will be required. The tags are available for daily, weekly, and annual use in the amounts of $5, $15, and $40, respectively. Here are 3 convenient ways to purchase your Great Smoky Mountains parking tag:

Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can explore its natural beauty in a couple of ways. They can go on foot and take advantage of the over 800 miles of hiking trails. On the other hand, visitors who don’t prefer hiking can enjoy the views from the comfort of their own vehicle on the motor trails. If you want a different experience, you’ll be excited to know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning on making it easier for visitors to explore the area in another way. With that being said, read about all the details of the new mountain biking plan in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

People love coming to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see its natural beauty. Hiking is one of the most popular ways for visitors to explore, as the park has over 800 miles of trails. If you don’t enjoy hiking or want to try a new activity, explore the beautiful views while riding on the back of a majestic four-legged friend. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 4 riding stables that are open from mid-March to late November. Here is a list of 4 reasons why you will love Smoky Mountain horseback riding:

The Smoky Mountains are a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts all year long, even during the winter months! In fact, many folks consider this their favorite time of year to visit the Smokies as there are far fewer crowds on the hiking trails and the scenery is especially wonderful! As long as you have the proper gear for the conditions and don’t mind a little chilly weather, this can be a fantastic time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Here are the top 4 reasons why outdoor enthusiasts love visiting the Smoky Mountains in the winter:

The Great Smoky Mountains’ beauty draws in visitors year-round. Even though nature is technically always open, there may be some areas in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are closed throughout the year, particularly in the colder months. Before you visit this winter, find out what areas of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park are going to be open and closed:

Are you planning a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg vacation for your family and looking for more things to do? If so, going to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an excellent option, as its natural beauty is captivating at any age. With that, here are 5 things that make the Great Smoky Mountains National Park family-friendly:

Make the most of your holiday season this year by planning a visit to the Smoky Mountains for Christmas! This is a very special time of year to experience the magic of the Smokies, as you’ll find lots of festive seasonal events, spectacular light displays, and maybe a few snowflakes in the mountains! You can even take a few hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to work off those big holiday meals! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll love visiting the Smoky Mountains for Christmas:

While hiking is fun any time of the year, the colder weather brings beautiful sights to the Smoky Mountains that you do not want to miss! See a real-life winter wonderland as the snow blankets the picturesque natural scenery that you know and love! With that, here are 4 tips for visiting the Smoky Mountains in winter:

Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As the tallest point in the national park with views over 100 miles away, it makes sense! This is one of the first areas to experience changing colors in the fall, and the views are breathtaking. Plus, sunrises and sunsets here are a sight you don’t want to miss. But what about your journey to get to the top of the observation tower? Check out these 5 secret stops you should make on the way to Kuwohi:

The Smoky Mountains are a perfect destination for stargazing, as there is very little light pollution from nearby towns to impact the views of the night sky! The remote location of the Smokies and the higher elevations allow you to experience our breathtaking galaxy like never before! While you can enjoy the celestial wonders from virtually anywhere in the area, there are several places that offer the best night views! Here are the top 3 places to visit in the Smoky Mountains for stargazing: