Great Smoky Mountains Info

If you are planning a holiday trip to the Smokies to experience Smoky Mountain Winterfest and other fun seasonal events in the area, you might be wondering if it’s worth spending some time in the national park! Of course, our answer is a resounding “YES”! The Christmas holidays can be an excellent time to explore some of the hiking trails in the park, complete with dramatic and unique winter scenery! Before making your plans, check out these 4 tips for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the holiday season:

One of the most popular things to do in the Smokies is to take a hike. The national park has over 850 miles of trails which means that every visitor will be able to find a route that is just right, whether they are a beginner or expert hiker. Read on to learn more about some of our top recommendations of Smoky Mountain hikes for every skill level:

There are certain guidelines to follow when visiting the Smokies during every season, and late fall is no exception. If you're planning a visit for this time of year, let us tell you about what to expect. Read on to learn more! Here is a list of 3 things to know when visiting the Smoky Mountains National Park in late fall:

While hiking along the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you may have noticed that the clear waters in the streams appear to be immaculate! The water quality affects many aquatic animals throughout the Smokies, including salamanders and frogs. It also affects non-aquatic species, such as birds who find their source of food in park streams. If you have been wondering if this crystal clear water is truly pristine, check out these 4 interesting facts to know about the Smoky Mountains water quality:

If you’ve ever planned a trip to Tennessee or North Carolina, you may have seen the terms “national park” and “national forest” when consulting your map! These names are often confused with each other, especially since they work together to provide us with a wide spectrum of important uses! However, you’ll find that even though there are some similarities, they do serve different purposes. Here are 3 ways to distinguish between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the national forests in Tennessee and North Carolina:

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! In addition to delightfully crisp daytime temperatures, you’ll be treated to the stunning show of colors from the autumn leaves! Before heading out on that hike, remember that the fall is one of those seasons where you expect a little bit of everything in one day! Mornings are generally chilly while afternoons can be warm, but it is not out of the question to see snow flurries at high elevations on some days in late fall! Therefore, the best way to keep comfortable for a fall hike is to dress in layers! Keep reading to find out how to layer your clothing for fall hikes in the Smoky Mountains:

When it comes to the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are many women who played an important role with their individual contributions. There are several in particular who had an incredible passion and dedication to helping create the beautiful park that we enjoy today! While visiting the park, you have the opportunity to share in this passion that each of these women gave in support of the park and its mission of preservation for future generations! Here are 4 influential women in Smoky Mountain history:

The name of Clingmans Dome has officially been restored to Kuwohi, which is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” This is one of the most popular sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with more than 650,000 visitors per year, and it is the tallest point in Tennessee and the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River. Here are the top 4 things to know about the Kuwohi name restored to the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains:

If you’re looking for some creepy fun this Halloween season, don’t miss the chance to explore some of the most haunted destinations in the Smokies! The Smoky Mountains have a rich history with many local legends of hauntings, so keep your eyes open as you never know what you might see! Here are 4 haunted places to visit in the Smoky Mountains this Halloween:

Are you unsure of the weather during your visit to the Smokies? You'll be glad to know that a little rain won't put a damper on the fun. We can help you be properly prepared, which will make for both a safe and fun time. Read on to learn more! Here is your guide to visiting the Smoky Mountains when it rains:

The beautiful national parks in our country have always drawn people to enjoy stunning natural landscapes, hiking adventures, and other exciting outdoor activities! Nowadays, people are flocking to U.S. national parks more than ever to experience all of the natural and historic wonders that they offer! If you’ve always wondered which parks are the most popular in terms of visitation, the National Park Service has released an official list based on 2023 data! Here are the top 5 most visited national parks in the United States:

While we enjoy the taste of fresh apples during the fall season, it is also a time to reflect on how this delicious fruit was an essential part of life for the early residents of the Smokies! Apples were by far the most important fruit in the Smoky Mountains as they could not only be eaten raw but could be used to make vinegar, applesauce, apple butter, and pies. Fortunately, the cooler climate in the area provided excellent apple-growing conditions! Here are the top 3 reasons why apple orchards in Tennessee were important to early Smoky Mountain settlers:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers 522,427 acres in North Carolina and Tennessee. Because it is so large, there are many different ways to enter the park. Staying on the Tennessee side? Let us tell you about a lesser-known entrance to use during your next visit. Here is a list of 3 reasons to use the Wears Valley entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

In this Great Smoky Mountains guide, you’ll discover what to expect during each season, how to get a parking pass, the best hiking trails to explore, other can’t-miss spots, and more!

While Great Smoky Mountains National Park is stunning from any vantage point, one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Smokies is from a bird’s eye view! There are several ways that you can rise above the mountains and enjoy the majestic landscape, ranging from helicopter rides to one of the largest aerial tramways in the United States! Here are the top 3 ways to experience an aerial view of the Smoky Mountains: