Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sees 2nd Highest Number of Visitors in 2020!

Despite being closed for a period of time in 2020, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a near-record number of visitors! In 2020, the park saw 12,095,720 visitors. This is only the second time in park history that visitation has reached more than 12 million visits! The only other year was 2019, when the park saw 12,547,743 visitors. Although it didn't break the overall record, 2020 was still a record-breaking year for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Between June and December, the park saw 1 million more visits than that same time period the year prior, and 2.3 million more visits than the 10-year average for those months. In addition, the park shattered monthly visitation records for each month from August through December. These numbers were high despite partial closures throughout the park from May until September. Roads, trails, campgrounds and backcountry campsites all were busier than usual.

We love learning about the rich history of the Smoky Mountains and the many families who called the Smokies home! One of the best ways to learn about the history of the Smokies is to visit the historic buildings that still stand in the park today. One of those buildings that holds plenty of history within its walls is the Little Greenbrier School. Learn more about the history behind the Little Greenbrier School in the Smoky Mountains and how to get there so you can explore it yourself!

You probably know that Cades Cove is the most popular place to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s full of so many historic buildings people love to check out, but one of the most popular buildings is the cantilever barn in Cades Cove. This is a popular spot to visit along the Loop because it’s unusual. Here’s everything you need to know about the history of the cantilever barn in Cades Cove:

If you love unique things to do, then you will want to experience Smoky Mountain Llama Trek. Animal lovers will love visiting this attraction because you will be able to interact with all the llamas at the farm and on a hike. Keep reading to find out more about the Smoky Mountain Llama Trek:

You’ve probably driven the Cades Cove Loop before, but did you know you can go horseback riding in Cades Cove? This is an incredible way to explore the area in a new way. Plus, it’s a great activity for people of all ages! Find out everything you need to know about horseback riding in Cades Cove:

When you’re hiking through the Smokies, you probably expect to see birds, trees, and waterfalls. You probably aren’t expecting to see man made objects along the trail, but you will see one when you hike on Middle Prong Trail! Here’s everything you need to know about the secret Cadillac along Middle Prong Trail.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has reached a major milestone! It now has documentation of 20,000 species of animals, plants, and other organisms found in the park. We’ve gathered details on the different species you can find in the park and what to expect when you visit!

Axe throwing in Pigeon Forge has quickly become a favorite activity to do with friends and family. There are several places to go, and one of the newest ones is Country Roads Axe Co. This new attraction is more than just axe throwing; you’ll also be able to eat delicious pizza. Find out even more about this new place for axe throwing in Pigeon Forge now:

If you’ve visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ve probably been to the most popular spot: Cades Cove. There are a ton of cool stops along this scenic drive, such as the cantilever barn, John Oliver cabin, and Cable grist mill. These stops are right along the road, but did you know there are some hidden gems in Cades Cove too? One of them is Gregory’s Cave. Keep reading to find out more about Gregory’s Cave in Cades Cove.

A mandatory mask order in Sevier County went into effect on Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m. The mask requirement came after the county saw a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The original order lasted through August 3 before being extended monthly since then. Executive Order 55 now extends the mask requirement through February 27, 2021. If you have plans to visit the Smoky Mountain area before then, please be prepared to wear a mask in all public indoor areas and businesses. Here is more information on the mask requirement in Sevier County TN:

One of the best parts about visiting Smoky Mountains in the winter is seeing the gorgeous views that surround you everywhere you turn. The Smokies truly transform into a winter wonderland! From snow-covered mountain peaks to frozen waterfalls and icicles, you can see it all during the winter season. To help you decide where to go to see the best views of the Smoky Mountains in the winter, we’ve made a list of the top 6 places!

If you have a sweet tooth, you don’t want to miss the chance to visit Cinnaholic in Pigeon Forge! This gourmet cinnamon roll bakery offers cinnamon rolls with your choice of over 20 unique frosting flavors and a variety of toppings. From cinnamon rolls topped with fresh fruit, to cinnamon rolls topped with cookie dough, you’re sure to find something you love here! To help you learn more, we’ve created a guide to everything you need to know about Cinnaholic in Pigeon Forge:

We know you love finding hidden gems in the Smoky Mountains, like the House of the Fairies and the Pearl Harbor Tree, and we have one more for you to find the next time you visit! Hidden in the national park are remains of an old steam engine from a wreck that happened years ago. We have all the details on the old steam engine in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and where you can find it.

Colder weather doesn’t mean your visits to the Smoky Mountains have to stop! There is plenty of fun to be had in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in winter. You’ll have gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains, icicles and frozen waterfalls. Not to mention, there’ll be fewer crowds this time of year! To help you plan your trip, we’ve made a list of the top 4 things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in winter:

The Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to spend time with loved ones, and what better time is there to gather everyone together than Thanksgiving? We welcome you to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a Thanksgiving holiday you’ll remember for years to come. We want to make sure you have the best holiday trip to the Smokies! That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to plan the perfect Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.