Tag Archives: NPS

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 …

New report shows visitor spending impacts  GATLINBURG, Tenn.—A new National Park Service report shows that approximately 12.2 million visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2024 spent more than $2 billion in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of more than $2.8 billion.  “People come to the Smokies to do many …

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 …

Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to visitors Jan. 20-24 GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remove hazard trees in Cades Cove on Jan. 20-Jan. 24. This includes removing brush from the side of the road to keep vegetation from hitting passing vehicles and removing all hazard …

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 …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The Flint Gap Fire is 46 acres as of the last estimate. Although the fire is presently 0% contained, only a few areas are actively burning within the perimeter. Once firefighter access and safety in this remote and steep terrain is addressed, a full suppression strategy will be executed. …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Starting April 15, the National Park Service (NPS) will close Ramsey Cascades Trail on weekdays while trail crews finish the full-scale rehabilitation work started in 2022. The rehabilitation of this iconic Smokies trail is part of the Trails Forever program supported by Friends of the Smokies.The trail will be …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Signs of Spring event celebrating National American Sign Language Day will be back for the second year in Cades Cove on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme will be “A Peek Behind the Scenes.” Stations throughout Cades Cove will …

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced group size limits for the popular wildflower season at Whiteoak Sink. Individuals and small groups of eight or fewer people may access the Whiteoak Sink area throughout the wildflower season Monday, April 1 through Sunday, May 5. Whiteoak Sink is a unique, …

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The National Park Service (NPS) is investigating an online scam selling fraudulent parking tags to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Someone posing as the National Park Service is directing individuals and organizations to a website titled “Smokies Park Pass.” This website looks like it belongs to our park …