GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Dec. 18, 2024)— The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail will close for 18 months starting Jan. 6, 2025, as crews make improvements to the trail and parking areas. Through this rehabilitation, […]
MARYVILLE, Tennessee – Aug. 19, 2022 – Friends of the Smokies, an official nonprofit partner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is bringing 20 nationally acclaimed artists to the park to paint “en plein air,” an outdoor painting practice and style, throughout various park vistas. The event activities, which include a ticketed gala and art sale, […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced two morning closures of Clingmans Dome Road on Friday, Aug. 26 and Wednesday, September 7 until 1:00 p.m. each day. The seven-mile roadway will be closed on both mornings to facilitate a special curriculum-based education program. On Thursday, September 8, Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed until 3:30 p.m. to accommodate an additional education […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park leadership announced the decision to adopt the Park it Forward parking tag program and to increase camping fees beginning next year. Parking tags will be required to be displayed on any motor vehicle parked within the park boundary beginning March 1, 2023. Approved parking rates are $5 for a daily […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event honoring the crew who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies who provided critical funding to support the efforts. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a […]
“Storytelling is a time-honored human tradition, and a key part of how park rangers engage with visitors when they come to Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Stephanie Kyriazis, Chief of Resource Education. “Launching a podcast allows us to share Smokies stories about science and culture with a broader audience, even when they are far […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Friday, June 3 through Friday, June 10. The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through www.recreation.gov. The lottery opens for vehicle pass applications on Friday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to enjoy the Cades Cove Loop Road on Vehicle-free Wednesdays beginning May 4 through September 28, 2022. Participants are encouraged to visit in the afternoons and early evenings to spread use out throughout the day. Parking on-site is limited, with parking lots often filling to capacity during […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking public input on proposed fee program changes for 2023, including a new parkwide parking fee and an increase to existing fee rates at frontcountry and backcountry campsites, picnic pavilions, and day-use cabin rentals. All revenue generated through these user fees would remain in the Smokies to directly support […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to “Fall into Volunteerism with Smokies Service Days!” Park staff will lead several single-day volunteer opportunities across the park on Saturdays beginning October 24 through November 21. Each experience provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to help care for park campgrounds, historic buildings, and natural resources. This volunteer […]