Smoky Mountains

With a career that spans over 50 years, there isn’t much that Dolly Parton has not mastered. After getting her start on The Porter Wagoner Show that aired weekly on TV, Dolly has gone on to see amazing success both in the music and film industry. She has also had one of her famous hits turned into a Broadway show, ‘9 to 5: The Musical.’

One of the best parts of vacationing in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains is all of the delicious food in the area. Fortunately, it’s not hard to take a lot of that tasty food back home with you! If you’re hosting a party or attending one, you can impress your friends with some authentic treats from the Smokies. Here are a few of our favorite Smoky Mountain foods and drinks that are guaranteed to be a big hit at your next get-together.

When you’re on vacation to the Smoky Mountains, you can be a traveler, a tourist - or both! Being a tourist or a traveler isn’t about traveling more often or spending more money, it’s about your personality while you’re traveling to the area. Which are you carrying - a selfie stick or a camera? Are you following the most popular trails in the national park or taking a hike off the beaten path? Are you staying in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains when you visit to get the true experience of the mountains?

Do you love everything about the Smoky Mountains? Do you daydream about spending more time in the mountains and less time at home? If that sounds like you, maybe these will, too. Here’s 8 reasons you know you belong in the Smoky Mountains:

As any visitor to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can tell you, the Smokies are home to some of the most spectacular wildlife in North America! The park boasts 65 species of mammals, 67 varieties of fish, 80 types of reptiles and amphibians, and over 200 species of birds. People come from all over the country to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals.

A year-long geologic study conducted by the National Park Service has determined that there is an active volcano in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The NPS shared its findings in a press release this morning. We have summarized the report below.

Now, we know these bears aren’t Smoky Mountain black bears, but we still wanted to share them with you! A New Jersey family was enjoying their day when they happened to see a family of black bears taking a swim in their family pool. The Basso family took videos of the black bears, and we’ve decided to share it!

In a series of classic public service announcements, Smokey the Bear told viewers, “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” While Smokey still remains a popular mascot, today’s National Park Service has a more nuanced stance on forest fires. These days, experts agree that controlled fires and some naturally occurring forest fires can actually benefit national parks. Read on for a closer look at how fires help preserve Smoky Mountain scenery.

One of the most fascinating places to visit during your vacation in the Smoky Mountains is Forbidden Caverns. Located in Sevierville, TN, this one-of-a-kind attraction takes guests underground to explore a beautiful cave. Guests will enjoy a guided tour filled with information about the cavern’s long history and stunning formations. Along the way, you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, grottos, and a lovely stream. To enhance the natural beauty of the cave, Forbidden Caverns is equipped with a variety of spectacular colored lights.

Do you want Morgan Freeman to be your personal chauffeur to the Smoky Mountains? Who wouldn’t, right? We’ve got just the app that can help you get through traffic to the Smoky Mountains in a breeze - with the help of Morgan Freeman!

Every great song starts with a story, and lots of great stories start in the Smoky Mountains! Over the years, countless artists have turned to the Smokies for inspiration. With its natural beauty and thriving Appalachian culture, East Tennessee is fertile ground for memorable music. When you take your next road trip to the area, be sure to add these songs about the Smoky Mountains to your playlist:

Sometimes taking a romantic getaway is exactly what you need. There are many great places around the country that are perfect for a weekend getaway but nothing compares to romantic getaways in the Smoky Mountains in winter. The Smoky Mountains are considered one of the most beautiful regions of the country and people come from all over the world to visit our mountains. If you aren’t already sold on a visit to the Smoky Mountains in winter, here are a few reasons why you should take a romantic getaway:

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a quiet fall drive, a winter hike through the snow-dusted trees or you want to sit on a cabin porch and take in the sunset, there’s something that will make you fall in love with the Smoky Mountains!

Are you up for a challenge? This year, the National Park Service will turn 100 years old, and the Smokies are celebrating with a very special campaign. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent, Cassius Cash, has pledged to hike 100 miles on the park’s maintained trails in 2016, and everyone is invited to join him! Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Smokies Centennial Challenge.

Do you love the Smoky Mountains? And are you still trying to figure out how to stay true to your New Year’s resolutions on vacation this year? We know how hard it is to make resolutions and keep them, so we’ve put together a few realistic resolutions for someone who loves the Smoky Mountains.