Tag Archives: National Park Service

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 …

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Greenbrier Road and Porters Creek Trail open 

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 …

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Park rangers searching for missing man near Deep Creek

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 …

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Synchronous firefly lottery and viewing dates announced 

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 …

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Spur Tunnel construction to begin January 3  

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Traffic on the northbound Spur will be reduced to one lane from January 3 through April 7, 2023, to allow for repairs to the Spur Tunnel. While the single-lane closures will cause temporary delays, the repairs are necessary to address water leaks and lighting improvements.   For the safety …

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Single-lane closures planned on the Spur for tree removal

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Richmond Tree Experts will implement temporary, single-lane road closures along the Spur for tree removal Monday, November 28 through Thursday, December 1. The Spur, between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, will remain open, but motorists should expect delays.  The single-lane closures will only …

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Fire crews work to suppress 30-acre wildfire in western end of park

On Sunday, November 6, at 11:37 a.m., Blount County notified Great Smoky Mountains National Park that an approximately five-acre wildfire was reported along the western boundary of the park along Highway 129 near mile marker 4.5. National Park Service wildland firefighters responded to the site, which is located approximately two miles west …

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