5 Amazing Smoky Mountain History Facts You Won’t Believe

5 Amazing Smoky Mountain History Facts You Won’t Believe

How well do you know Smoky Mountain history? Read our favorite historical facts below to test your knowledge. You never know, some of these may surprise you! 1. The Smoky Mountains Are Among the Oldest in the World It is estimated the mountains in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are between 200 and 300 million years old. When you take into consideration the national park is only turning 100 in 2016, that is a lot of Smoky Mountain history we may never know about. The age of the mountains is determined by the amount of weathering the rocks have experienced. You can also partially tell the age by the particles found in the soil and the trees found on the mountains. 2. A Woman Was the First Settler to the Smoky Mountains One of the lesser known Smoky Mountain history facts is that the first settler to the area was a woman. Although William Ogle is credited for building the first home in the area, it was actually his wife, Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, who first moved here. William passed away before he could settle into the home with his wife and kids. 3. It Was the First National Park to be Partially Federally Funded As you know, entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is completely free for all visitors. The reason behind this is the fact that it was the first national park to ever be partially funded by the federal government. The stipulation came when Newfound Gap Road was built. Because it was the only way at the time to easily travel between the...
What Smoky Mountains Weather Should You Expect During Your Vacation?

What Smoky Mountains Weather Should You Expect During Your Vacation?

Here in the Smoky Mountains, we are very fortunate to maintain a comfortable temperament all year long. It never gets too cold during the winter nor does it get too hot during the summer. The Smoky Mountains weather always makes for a perfect vacation setting. However, each season does come with its own weather patterns and characteristics. To find out what kind of weather you should plan for during your next vacation to the area, read below! Winter Winters in the Smoky Mountains typically last from mid-November through February. During this time, the temperatures are generally moderate, but you can expect to find a couple of days of extreme weather. However, our extreme is not as much as you would expect to find in northern parts of the country. To put it into perspective, the average lows during the winter tend to stay around the low-50s in the lower elevations and the mid-30s in the higher elevations. Our average snowfall in the lower elevations stays around 7-8 inches a year, just enough for a snowball fight or to build a snowman. The higher elevations, like around Clingmans Dome, see a significantly higher snowfall in the winter with an average total of over 100” a year. Although this sounds like a lot, it really means you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the snowcapped mountains in the distance during your vacation, but it won’t affect your travel plans too much. Spring Once winter is ready to shed its heavy coat on the area, we are ready for spring and the beautiful wildflowers that come with it. This is...
3 Easy Ways You Can Identify Where Are Smoky Mountains

3 Easy Ways You Can Identify Where Are Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains are a majestic subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. Consisting of over 800 square miles, the mountain range is known for it’s majestic views, beautiful foliages, playful wildlife, and abundance of fun things to do. However, with so much land to account for, it may be hard to determine where are Smoky Mountains exactly. For example, where do the Appalachian Mountains stop and the Smokies begin? To help narrow down the location of our beloved mountain range, we have given you several resourced to use to identify where the Smoky Mountains are below. 1. Geography The Great Smoky Mountains cover a wide area. In fact, there is a total of 187,000 acres or land that make up the mountain range. That is quite a chunk of land along the Tennessee–North Carolina border! Along with being part of the Appalachian Mountain range, they also help form a section of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province. Meaning, they are part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. These mountains release a high amount of an organic compound called isoprene into the air, which is where the fog and blueish tint of the mountains come from. If you are looking at a map, you can easily identify where are Smoky Mountains by circling the range of mountains that stretch from the Pigeon River in the northeast to the Little Tennessee River in the southwest. The Tuckasegee River and both the Soco Creek and Jonathan Creek roughly outline the southern and southeastern borders of the mountains respectively. 2. Elevation Geography is not the only way to identify where are Smoky Mountains. Elevation...
Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Anytime is a good time to visit Gatlinburg TN—each season has its own special characteristics, but spring could be the best. Envision the new bright green foliage, the splash of bright colors found in spring wildflowers, the water up in whitewater streams, exuberantly happy waterfalls, and wildlife emerging from winter dens. American Black bears emerge from hibernation and whitetail fawns spring forth. Gatlinburg TN locals prepare for arrival of the year’s new Tennessee travelers. Their desire to impress the visitor is reflected by hundreds of fresh flower arrangements along the main parkway and city sidewalks. Summer is also a favorite time because the youth are out of school and it’s time for the traditional summer vacation. Flora and fauna are at their peak. The mountain temperatures are a bit cooler and the pleasures of the Smoky Mountains await the traveler. Moreover, summer and spring are favorite times for a Smoky Mountain wedding. Over thirty wedding chapels wait to serve brides and grooms planning their wedding day. Honeymoon in a Gatlinburg TN cabin. Fall season brings the burst of color that attracts visitors who appreciate Mother Nature’s brilliant colors that remain after cooler temperatures remove the leaves’ chlorophyll. Nothing compares with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when it offers the crisp, cool air of Fall in Cades Cove. It’s a pleasant surprise to some that winter is also a great time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains. Things are quieter and more peaceful–the strident pace of summer is replaced by a slower pace. Mountain vistas are improved because the foliage is off the trees; the air...