Great Smoky Mountains Info

While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you may have come across one of the helpful rangers who are dedicated to protecting the natural and historic resources of the park! If you’ve ever wondered how these friendly National Park Service employees achieve this “dream job” of working outdoors in such a stunning environment, you typically need a combination of relevant education, strong communication and people skills, a passion for nature, and a little bit of luck! Here are the steps to becoming a National Park Ranger in the Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park seems to have endless miles of hiking trails, some of which lead to stunning waterfalls. You won’t want to miss checking one out during your next trip! Laurel Falls is one of our favorite beginner waterfall hikes, but before you head out to explore the trail, here are some things you need to know about the Laurel Falls Trail:

The winter season may bring snow and cold conditions to the Smokies. However, that doesn't mean you can't still have a fun day in the national park; it just involves a little bit of extra planning! We want to share some of our top tips for beginners visiting the Great Smoky Mountains in winter, so read on to learn more!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the United States, as it receives more than 10 million visitors every year. The National Park Service (NPS) is always working to keep the roads safe for the large volume of visitors. Read on to learn more about their most recent project and all the details about safety enhancements coming to the Gatlinburg Spur:

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to a variety of wildlife. Black bears are by far the most popular, but you may see deer and wild turkeys as well. Researchers are constantly proving that there is still more life to be discovered here. Their hard work has unveiled even more creatures in the vast landscape. Read on to learn more about the latest discovery: several new species of millipede in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some amazing waterfalls. If you’re just beginning your hiking journey, you'll be glad to know that you don’t have to embark on a strenuous hike in order to see one of the most stunning falls. Read on to learn more about one of our favorite beginner waterfall hikes in one of the most popular areas: Cades Cove. Here is the history of Abrams Falls plus a few more interesting facts about the trail!

If you don’t mind throwing on a few extra blankets at night, winter camping in the Smokies can be a rewarding experience! The Cades Cove Campground is one of just two in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is open all year round, and it offers primitive campsites with flush toilets and water (but no showers or electricity). While these services may seem limited, the flipside is that you’ll enjoy a peaceful stay in one of the most beautiful areas of the park! Here are the top 4 reasons to stay at Cades Cove Campground in the winter:

One of the best times to experience the natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is during the winter months when the mountains are covered in snow! While there may be a few road closures during significant snowfall amounts, these are typically at the higher elevations in the park. This means that if you enjoy being outdoors and love to “play” in the snow, you’ll have a blast visiting the Smokies in the winter! Here are 3 fun things to do when there is snow in the Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some magnificent waterfalls. You should definitely check one out during your visit! Before you do that though, read about some ways to stay safe and have fun as you start planning. Here are a few helpful tips for visiting Smoky Mountain waterfalls:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fun year-round, even in colder weather. You just have to bundle up to stay nice and toasty. If you need ideas for places to go, we've got you covered. Put together a great itinerary right now! Here is a list of the top 4 spots in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to visit during winter:

One activity that visitors love to do in Cades Cove is hiking. If you're new to it, you'll be happy to know that the route doesn't have to be strenuous. There are many beginner trails to choose from. Let us help you narrow down your choices. We've got a great trail recommendation to foster your love of hiking. Here is a helpful guide to exploring the Cades Cove Nature Trail:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in June of 1934. Long before that, there were hundreds of people who lived in the area. Remnants of their hard work are scattered all over the park. See entire log cabins as well as pieces of old homesteads. Look out for more unique structures as well. Let us tell you about one to find during your next visit. Here is a list of all the details about the secret Cadillac along the Middle Prong Trail:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful place. Visitors love to be out in the fresh air exploring the timeless beauty. Proper planning is the key to a smooth visit! Keep reading for some helpful tips. Here is our list of 3 realities about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

One of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Gatlinburg Trail, a scenic hike that travels for 1.9 miles from the outskirts of Gatlinburg TN to the Sugarlands Visitor Center within the National Park! The trail is relatively flat, making it an easy trek for hikers of all skill levels, so the whole family can enjoy this beautiful path through the forest! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll love hiking along the Gatlinburg Trail:

While you can enjoy the magnificent natural wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park all year long, there are some roads that are closed during the winter months due to the weather. These include some of the roads at higher elevations, such as Kuwohi Road, as well as narrow routes at lower elevations, including the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Therefore, you will want to plan your trip accordingly during any winter visit to the Smokies! Here are some important things to know about GSMNP road closures: