Smoky Mountains

While everyone enjoys spending the day taking in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, they might not think of all the people that helped shape what it is today. There are countless people who worked long and hard to transform the beautiful landscape into the place where millions of people congregate every year. Here are 6 people who had a hand in the early history of the Smoky Mountains:

With around 65 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the largest tracts of animals in the country. We all know that Cades Cove is a great place to see these creatures, but there are plenty of other hot spots for wildlife throughout the Smokies as well. Here are the top 4 places to see wildlife in the Smoky Mountains:

One of the most popular activities in the Smoky Mountains is hiking! Most people choose to hike the popular trails, while other people who hike as their hobby want to find trails that are off the beaten path. There are quite a few trails to choose from, but we want to share a secret hiking trail with you called Courthouse Rock Trail! Keep reading to learn more about this secret trail in the Smoky Mountains.

If you’re traveling to the Smokies soon, you’ll want to spend some time enjoying all the natural beauty of the area. We also know you’ll want to stay somewhere that offers all the luxuries of home. Luckily for you, there are tons of glamping opportunities that will give you the best of both worlds. Here are 3 reasons to go glamping in the Smokies:

Starting on September 7, 2021 you’ll be required to make a reservation to park at the Laurel Falls trailhead in the national park. In order to better manage visitors and cut down on congestions on this popular trail, the park will be testing a reservation program through October 3, 2021:

For over 50 years, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has been connecting people to nature through residential programs, research, community engagement and advocacy for outdoor learning. Their mission has always been to educate both youth and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. Here is everything you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont:

If you have ever hiked the Laurel Falls Trail before, you may have been met with hundreds of other people wanting to hike the popular trail. It’s understandable why so many people want to hike the trail; it’s paved, there’s an incredible waterfall at the end, and it’s an easy hike! Unfortunately, that means there’s quite a bit of congestion along the trail and at the waterfall. The National Park Service just announced a pilot program designed to lessen the congestion at Laurel Falls Trail. Learn more about this program below:

Do you want to go hiking with your family when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains? There are plenty of easy trails that are perfect for young children, older kids, and parents! You’ll be able to see some wildlife, natural features, and just enjoy being together out on these trails. Here are 6 of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains for kids:

Do you want to explore Cades Cove without all the congestion? Now you can! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced “Vehicle-Free Wednesdays” back in 2020, but the pilot program is continuing into 2021. This gives cyclists and pedestrians a chance to enjoy time in Cades Cove all to themselves! We’ve gathered all the info we can on Vehicle-Free Wednesdays in Cades Cove.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. There’s no entrance fee to enter the park, and it’s within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the country. It’s no wonder the park is so popular to visit! If you haven’t been to the Smokies, or you want to prepare for the next time you’re here, keep reading to learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 square miles of hiking trails, so there really is a trail that’s perfect for every type of hiker! Whether you’re looking to hike with your children or you just want a short, relaxing hike in the mountains, an easy hike may be the best way to spend your day! Check out these top 8 easy hikes in the Smoky Mountains to add to your outdoor bucket list:

The Great Smoky Mountains draw people in every year with their beauty and abundance of activities. The most popular pastime in the national park is hiking. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been hiking before or hiking is your hobby, because there is a perfect trail for everyone in the Smokies. Check out these 12 hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains ranked by difficulty:

If you want to learn more about what life was like for pioneers who lived in the Smokies, you should visit the Noah “Bud” Ogle cabin along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. This historic building is also known as Ogle Place and consists of a farmhouse, bar, and tub mill. Keep reading to find out more about the Noah “Bud” Ogle cabin on Roaring Fork Motor Trail:

There’s nothing more exciting than when you see a black bear in Gatlinburg! Everyone wants to see at least one black bear on their vacation. Since the weather is warming up, black bears are out and about more frequently this time of year, so they are more likely to show up in the city and in the national park. We’ve put together some videos of black bears in Gatlinburg you have to see, as well as black bear safety tips:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known as being a place where you can find all kinds of wildlife. But did you know it has one of the most diverse fish populations in the country? People come from all over the place to the Smokies to enjoy fishing, and we want to share some of the best places to go and what you need to know if you want to fish. Learn all about fishing in the Smoky Mountains below: