Tag Archives: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

GATLINBURG, Tenn.— After a visitor within their vehicle encountered a bear that has become habituated to humans and vehicles, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Rich Mountain Road in the Cades Cove area will be closed to all traffic starting Saturday, August 5, until further notice. The visitor …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers are recruiting volunteers to help the park’s trail crews with rehabilitation projects on the Ramsey Cascades and Little Cataloochee trails. Volunteers are needed every Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. anytime through September 2023.  Volunteers must register in advance by contacting …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park, City of Gatlinburg-Parks and Recreation, Great Smoky Mountains Association, and Sevier County School System are launching bilingual Storybook Trails across public parks on Friday, May 19, 2023. A Storybook Trail is a fun, educational outdoor activity that takes the pages from a children’s book and …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials will implement a weekday closure of a part of Alum Cave Trail from Monday, May 15 to Thursday, May 25 while trail crews repair a section of trail damaged by a fallen tree last year. Hikers will be able to access the trail …

Photo provided by the National Park Service GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that as of May 8, Ramsey Cascades Trail and Ramsey Prong Road will be open Friday through Sunday each week, and on federal holidays. The trail and access to Ramsey Cascades will be closed Monday …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers and search teams will begin to reduce the scale of the search for Gordon Kaye. Kaye, from Tampa, FL, was reported missing on April 26. He was last seen on April 23 near a backcountry campsite in the Deep Creek area.  The search …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers, with assistance from 29 area agencies, continued searching the Deep Creek area this weekend for missing 68-year-old Gordon Kaye, of Tampa, FL. Search teams focused on trails and areas in and around the Deep Creek Campground. Crews are prepared to continue search operations …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Greenbrier Road, Porters Creek Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail, and campsites 31, 32, and 33 are now open to public use. Old Settlers Trail and Grapeyard Ridge Trail re-opened to public use earlier this month.  Ramsey Cascades Road and Ramsey Cascades Trail …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are searching for a 69-year-old man in the Deep Creek area of the park. Gordon Kaye from Tampa, FL was last seen in the lower loop of Deep Creek Campground on Saturday, April 22. His family reported him missing yesterday, April 26. Kaye …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont from Sunday, June 4 through Sunday, June 11. The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle reservation through www.recreation.gov. The lottery opens for reservation applications on …