park info
Park Phone Numbers Backcountry Information: (865) 436-1297 Backcountry Reservations: (865) 436-1231 Park Literature: (865) 436-0120 LeConte Lodge: (865) 429-5704 Operating Times The Great Smoky Mountains Park is open year-round. Visitor centers at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee are open all year, except Christmas Day. The Cades Cove Visitor Center has limited hours during the winter. Directions All […]
Wears Valley, Tennessee
Wears Valley, also known as Wear Cove, is a beautiful, peaceful, long and relatively narrow valley that sits between the towns of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Townsend TN. Its length runs next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and also has a little-known entrance to the Park near Metcalf Bottoms, which consists of a […]
Kodak, Tennessee
Kodak, TN is located at the I-40 Great Smoky Mountains National Park exit at highway 66. Kodak is not simply the first town along the corridor that leads to Gatlinburg and the park. It provides travelers with lodging, restaurants, information centers and gift and outlet stores. There is also a huge flea market in Kodak […]
Friends of the Smokies
“Friends of the Smokies” is a non-profit organization which supports the National Park Service’s mission of preserving the Great Smoky Mountains by raising funds and recruiting volunteers. The organization’s mission statement, taken from their newsletter, states: “Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park assists the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect […]
Fontana Village
Fontana Village is a complete vacation destination located close to the North Carolina side of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Set amid scenic mountains, the impressive Fontana Dam and a plethora of attractions are designed to keep its resort goers busy. Attractions include vintage cabins, antiques, hiking and biking trails, canoes, pontoon boats, mini […]
Foliage
Fall officially begins September 23 and, though it’s a little early to know for sure, foliage should put on quite a show this year. Though it has been dry lately, usually a negative when it comes to fall color, the next few weeks will determine just how much color we will have. We need bright […]
Dandridge, Tennessee
The small town of Dandridge, Tennessee, lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Lake Douglas. It is perfect for those who wish to sepnd their holiday on the water. Also, if you would like a quiet place to lodge near the park, you may want to check out Dandridge. It […]
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Blowing Rock, NC is located in the mountains of western North Carolina at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Blowing Rock is a popular focus of interest that has long appealed to wealthier travelers, the small town (with a permanent population of only 1,500 residents) offers an interesting selection of gourmet restaurants, luxury bed and breakfast […]
Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville TN Smoky Mountains can’t be beat. Travel in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina is a favorite vacation destination on the east coast of the United States. Three quarters of the population of the USA is within a day’s drive of the Great Smoky Mountains, created in 1934 and dedicated by […]
Cosby, Tennessee
Cosby, Tennessee is a quieter, less-traveled town adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cosby allows access to the Park via one of five of the major entrances to the Park facilities. Besides the Park entrance, Cosby is best known for its richly textured past–moonshiners and cock-fighting. Cosby is a little tamer these days […]