GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Firefighters have successfully contained the 10-acre Lake Fire near backcountry campsite 87 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire through the weekend. Smoke may be visible as the fire smolders in leaf litter and brush. Campsite 87 remains closed. The Lake Fire was …
Read More »Public invited to watch artists paint across the park Sept. 24-28
A panoramic view looking north from the observation tower on Clingmans Dome one can see Blanket Mountain on the far left, Cove Mountain and Bluff Mountain near the center, and Sugarland Mountain and Mount Le Conte on the far right. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GATLINBURG, Tenn.—For the second year …
Read More »Mountain Life Festival returns to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Event coincides with fee-free day in celebration of National Public Lands Day GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Following a three-year absence, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will again host its popular Mountain Life Festival at the Mountain Farm Museum on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event preserves the legacy …
Read More »Upcoming closures on the Gatlinburg Spur and Alum Cave Trail
GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park maintenance crews will implement temporary, single-lane closures along the north-and southbound Spur Monday, August 14 through Thursday, August 17, and again Monday, August 21 through Thursday, August 24. Crews will remove fallen trees and branches, rock debris, and litter and will mow …
Read More »Great Smoky Mountains National Park announces closure dates for Lakeview Drive construction
GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Lakeview Drive will be closed from August 14 to November 14 for reconstruction funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. During the construction, the road will be closed to all public access, including foot traffic, bicycles, horses, and vehicles. Cemeteries along …
Read More »Park adds two new members to its management team
GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are pleased to welcome two new members to the Park Management Team. Katie Liming will serve as the Management Assistant and Daniel “Boone” Vandzura will serve as the Chief Ranger to oversee the Visitor and Resource Protection Division. As the park’s Management Assistant, which functions as …
Read More »Rich Mountain Road closed due to bear activity
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 …
Read More »Volunteers needed for Ramsey Cascades and Little Cataloochee trail rehabilitation
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 …
Read More »Great Smoky Mountains National Park and City of Gatlinburg launch bilingual Storybook Trails of the Smokies
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 …
Read More »Partial closure of Alum Cave Trail scheduled May 15 to May 25
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 …
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