Great Smoky Mountains Info

When temperatures are at their coldest, the Smokies become a real-life winter wonderland. Snow blankets the ground and rests on the tree branches. The scene looks like something off a postcard. If you choose to visit during the season, be mindful of some additional safety tips. Read on to see what they are! Here is a list of 4 safety tips for visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in winter.

If you're a frequent visitor to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ve probably seen all the popular things. This includes Kuwohi, black bears, and stunning spring wildflowers. You’ll be happy to know that there is much more ground to cover on future trips! Use this interactive Smoky Mountain scavenger hunt as a guide. See if you can find everything on this list of unique and rare things in the park:

The Chimney Tops Trail is a short but rewarding hike in the Smokies. This is a popular route, and it is not hard to see why. Visitors love the breathtaking views of the namesake at the end. Looking forward to hiking Chimney Tops Trail on your next visit? Let us give you some helpful information! Here is a list of 3 tips for hiking the Chimney Tops Trail:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an abundance of historical structures that played an important role in the communities that once existed in the area, including several grist mills! These mills not only served a functional purpose of grinding grain into meal or flour, but were central gathering places where residents would socialize and barter for goods and services. While visiting the park today, you can explore these mills and may even get to see a milling demonstration! Keep reading to learn more about 4 historic grist mills and where to find them:

There will never be a dull moment when you come to the Smokies. There are fun activities to do as you enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and rich historical background. Read on to learn about some of them and create the best itinerary for your visit. Here is a list of 3 unique things to do in the Smoky Mountains:

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ve likely heard about the 2025 government shutdown. Many folks, especially those with upcoming trips planned to the Smokies, have the same question: is Smoky Mountain National Park open during the shutdown? With fall colors beginning to paint the landscape during this popular time of year, we want to share all the latest information. Here is what you need to know about visiting the Smoky Mountain National Park during the 2025 government shutdown:

The Smoky Mountains National Park has a lot of rich history. You can see its remnants when you look at the structures around the area. The National Park Service has worked hard to preserve them. If you love the popular ones, such as the John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove, there is still more ground to cover. Read on to learn more before your next visit. Here is a list of 4 less-traveled places to learn about Great Smoky Mountains history:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has beautiful scenery year-round, but there’s something extra special about visiting during the autumn season, and seeing the leaves on the trees adorned with vibrant colors. You can see these hues starting in mid to late September in the higher elevations, with peak season being in late October each year. While hiking is certainly the most popular choice for viewing fall colors, it’s not the only option! Here are just a few additional ways to see fall colors in the Smoky Mountains without hiking:

There are a lot of people to thank for making the Smoky Mountains National Park a beautiful place. One of them is the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This was a voluntary government work relief program founded by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression. From 1933 to 1942, groups of young men camped in the country’s national parks and spent their days making improvements to the areas. The Smokies had more CCC camps than any other national park. Read more about what they accomplished:

There’s nothing quite like fall in the Smokies! The weather turns crisp and cool, the landscape becomes full of reds, oranges, and yellows that ease the mind, and memories are waiting to be made with those you love the most. But to truly understand the beauty of autumn here, you have to experience it for yourself! Once you arrive you feel like you’ve been transported to a world away, where life becomes about slowing down, taking it all in, and spending quality time with loved ones. Here are 5 reasons you have to experience fall in the Smokies for yourself:

Are you taking the kids to Cades Cove Tennessee and wondering about short hikes in the area? This list of the top 4 short and easy Cades Cove hiking trails is perfect for families, but also if you can’t walk very far or if you don’t have a lot of time to hike!

The Smoky Mountains aren’t just a destination; they’re a constantly evolving ecosystem that changes in appearance throughout the year. One of its best looks happens to be during autumn when Smokies fall foliage paints the area vibrant colors of yellows, oranges, and reds! While there are a variety of different ways to take in these colorful sights, one of the best ways to get up close and personal is via hikes in the Smoky Mountains. Here are 5 of the top hikes in the Smoky Mountains to see Smokies fall foliage:

Each time you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there will be lots of stunning scenery to admire. While the National Park Service (NPS) wants to leave it largely untouched, they may make changes to the features of the trails. This includes paving the roads, installing drainage systems, and even adding new parking spots at the trailhead. The goal is to improve visitor experience and safety. The NPS is in the middle of making improvements to one popular trail! Learn more about the multi-year rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte:

Are you planning your first-ever visit to the Smokies? Are you an avid visitor who just has a specific question about what’s allowed or what’s open? Whatever the case may be, we’ve got some helpful information for you! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

One small creature that has an abundant population in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the salamander. The area is home to around 30 different species, which makes it the “Salamander Capital of the World.” Curious about some of the species you’ll find while out exploring the many hiking trails, streams, waterfalls, and creeks? Here is a list of 4 salamanders of the Smoky Mountains you may see: