Smoky Mountains

Most Smoky Mountain lovers have heard about this abandoned resort town in the Smoky Mountains, but how much do you know about the history of Elkmont? Elkmont went from a logging community, to a vacation destination, to a ghost town. Now, it’s a place where the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s many visitors love to explore. Elkmont used to be so much more than just an abandoned resort town! Here are 7 things you didn’t know about the history of Elkmont Ghost Town:

It’s no secret that the Smoky Mountains are home to breathtaking views. When you visit, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the gorgeous scenery. We want to help make sure you don’t miss out on some of the most incredible sights in the Smokies! Learn about the top 6 observation towers and lookouts to visit for the best views in the Smoky Mountains.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, and it’s not hard to understand why. Part of what comes along with being the most popular national park in the country is having big crowds. On any given day throughout the year, you’ll find full parking lots in the Smoky Mountains! However, if you’re trying to avoid big crowds of people on your visit, we can help. Here are 5 ways to avoid crowds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

What do you do when you drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains? If you’ve visited the Smoky Mountains before, then you’re sure to have heard cars blaring their horns as they drive through the tunnels in the area. Do you honk your horn, or do you drive through silently? We’ve asked this question many times to visitors, and the majority of people seem to honk their horns. We’ve dug into the reasoning behind why so many people honk their horns when they drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains:

Before Cades Cove was a popular tourist destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it was a home to so many. For more than 100 years before the park was created, families worked and played in the valley. The first settlers came to Cades Cove in the early 1820s, but it wasn’t until the late 1900s when the last resident of Cades Cove, Kermit Caughron, passed away. Meet the Caughron family and learn more about Cades Cove history:

September 2, 1940 is an important date in Smoky Mountain history. It’s the day that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially dedicated! While the park was established on June 15, 1934, it wasn’t until 1940 when Franklin D. Roosevelt formally dedicated it. Take a look back at Smoky Mountain history and learn more about FDR dedicating the national park!

It’s never too early to start thinking about fall in the Smoky Mountains! One of our favorite Gatlinburg attractions just released details on their annual fall festival: Autumn at Anakeesta. Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is known for its gorgeous mountain views and mountaintop of family fun, and it’s one of the best places to celebrate the fall season. We’ve gathered all the details on Anakeesta’s fall festival for you below!

One popular road in the Smoky Mountains is getting a new name! The Tail of the Dragon has been renamed to “Captain Johnny Leon Bryant Memorial Highway.” The new name honors Bryant, who was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. We’ve got all the details on the Tail of the Dragon and the dedication!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a record number of visitors this June! While visitor numbers may be down overall this year due to the park’s temporary closure, things are looking up for the Smokies. We love hearing that so many people are getting to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains! We’ve got all the info on the park breaking visitation records in June below:

A mandatory mask order in Sevier County went into effect on Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m. The mask requirement came after the county saw a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The original order lasted through August 3. A new executive order extends the mask requirement through August 29. If you have plans to visit the Smoky Mountain area before then, please be prepared to wear a mask in all public indoor areas and businesses. Here is more information on the mask requirement in Sevier County TN:

Do you love biking in the Smoky Mountains? Then you’ll love hearing this news! There is a proposal to build a mountain bike trail network in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail system would be located on the 13-mile, unfinished section of the Foothills Parkway. Learn more about this proposal and biking in the Smoky Mountains below:

Temperatures can get hot during a Smoky Mountain summer! If you have plans to visit during one of the summer months, be prepared to handle the summer heat. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep cool in the Smoky Mountain area. To help you out, we’ve made a guide for how to beat the heat during summer in the Smoky Mountains.

Nothing compares to the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, and Steve Harvey agrees. The famous entertainer posted a video clip on his Facebook talking about how beautiful the mountains are and how everyone should drive to see them! We couldn’t agree with him more. If you need more convincing, we’ve made a list of the top 4 reasons you should plan a visit to the Smoky Mountains.

One of the best parts about visiting the Smoky Mountains is being surrounded by gorgeous views everywhere you turn. From waterfalls to mountain scenery, you’ll want to make sure you have your camera ready to capture all the breathtaking sights! If you want to know the best places to go to see these beautiful views, we can help. Take a look at these 10 photos of the most scenic places to visit in the Smoky Mountains:

Through these uncertain times, we know many of you are wishing you could be back in the Smoky Mountains. If you do have a trip scheduled to the area, know that things may look a little different than your previous vacations. Masks are required throughout Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, and social distancing guidelines have been set at businesses. To help guarantee you still have the best time on your vacation, we’ve put together a guide with some helpful tips for visiting the Smoky Mountains right now.