Tag Archives: GSMNP

Photo by Paul Driessche GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park warns visitors that approaching elk is dangerous and illegal. With the elk rut (mating season) underway, elk are particularly aggressive.  Recently, several visitors were injured after getting too close to elk. Over the weekend, one individual suffered an …

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced its 2026 Artists-in-Residence lineup, with six artists scheduled to take part in the program from June through November. Each month, a different artist will visit the park and lead free hands-on programs designed to help visitors experience the Smokies through art, music, painting …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Beginning April 30, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will transition its backcountry permit reservation system to Recreation.gov. This transition will improve reliability, security and customer support for backcountry users.   Visitors with existing reservations do not need to do anything—the park will honor all permits issued before the switch.     …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed as crews continue cleanup efforts following a significant landslide that occurred the morning of Saturday, Sept. 27. Crews worked through Saturday and Sunday to remove more than 70 loads of debris from the road. Crews continue working to clear debris from the road drainage, ditches, …

National Park Service launches month-long traffic safety and enforcement operations campaign this August GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The National Park Service (NPS) reminds visitors to slow down and enjoy the views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over the next month, park rangers in cooperation with partner agencies will conduct increased traffic safety …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Newfound Gap Road is getting an upgrade! Starting July 14, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will kick off a rehabilitation of a 7-mile stretch of Newfound Gap Road on the North Carolina side of the park.   The roadwork will include repaving the roadway from milepost 20.90 to …

Road to be closed for construction beginning Dec. 9  GATLINBURG, Tenn.— On December 9, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin a rehabilitation of the 2.3-mile-long Cosby Entrance Road from TN State Route 32 to the gate of Cosby Campground. This rehabilitation will include:  Milling and paving of the road and …

Trail now open to visitors seven days a week Josh Shapiro, Trails Forever supervisor, cuts the ribbon for Ramsey Cascades Trail – NPS Gatlinburg, TN – In collaboration with Friends of the Smokies, the National Park Service (NPS) has a completed a three-year restoration of the Ramsey Cascades Trail in Great Smoky …

The park is open; Balsam Mountain, Big Creek and Cataloochee Valley areas remain closed  GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The National Park Service continues to assess conditions and address damage following the impacts from Hurricane Helene in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park experienced substantial damage particularly in North Carolina, including Balsam Mountain, Big Creek …

U.S. Board of Geographic Names Approves Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Name Change Request   GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted today in favor of the formal request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to change the name of Clingmans Dome (FID #1326387) to Kuwohi. Kuwohi, is the …