Smoky Mountains

Have you ever visited the abandoned resort town in the Smoky Mountains? What was once a booming logging camp and resort town for wealthy vacationers slowly became a ghost town. Considered now to be one of the hidden gems in the Smokies, visitors love exploring the abandoned area. If you want to see this unique spot on your vacation, we’ve put together a guide of everything you need to know about Elkmont Ghost Town:

If you are planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains, and you want to meet some of its most famous residents while you are here, we have got you covered! We are talking, of course, about the black bears in the Smoky Mountains that call this beautiful region home. Seeing these gorgeous animals can be a highlight of many visitors’ trips to the area, which is why we have put together some helpful tips for spotting bears in the Smoky Mountains! Simply read on to find out more:

Fireflies, or lightning bugs, can be found all over the eastern parts of North America, but the Great Smoky Mountains is one destination that attracts thousands of visitors year after year to see the Elkmont fireflies. But why?

Are you ready to get away in the Smoky Mountains? With all sorts of scenic beauty and unforgettable adventures to take part in, the Smokies are rightfully a popular vacation destination. If you’re hoping to escape some of the hustle and bustle, particularly during peak seasons, there are several less popular spots to check out. Breathe in that refreshing mountain air and soak up the serenity of the great outdoors! Here are 5 picturesque places to escape the crowds in the Smoky Mountains:

The Alum Cave Trail is one of the most exciting trails you’ll find in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Multiple different spots featuring mountain views and gorgeous geological formations make this a favorite among visitors looking to find the perfect mix of adventure and peace and quiet. Considered to be of moderate difficulty and registering as a 5-mile roundtrip hike to the Alum Cave Bluffs and back, it offers a challenge that includes some of the most rewarding views around! Along the way, you’ll notice some iconic spots you don’t want to miss. Here are 5 special sights to see along the Alum Cave Trail:

Newfound Gap Road is one of the most popular scenic drives in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for good reason! This gorgeous road winds through forests, passes mountain overlooks, and has plenty of great places to stop along the way. And now, there are exciting improvements coming to Newfound Gap Road, thanks to an $11 million allocation from the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act. Read on to find out more about the improvements coming to Newfound Gap Road:

Escape to the serenity of the Smoky Mountains! Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a couples getaway or any other type of trip, Smoky Mountain cabins are the way to go when it comes to lodging! These private cabins are decked out with the finest amenities to help you have the getaway of your dreams. Some amenities in particular are well worth the expense and can even help you save money in the long run! Here are 5 amenities to splurge on in our Smoky Mountain cabins:

You hear that? Nature is calling! The great outdoors is unquestionably one of the best and most fascinating features of the Great Smoky Mountains! It’s here in nature where many go to find solace amongst life’s chaos, recharge their batteries and experience exhilarating adventures that create lifelong memories. Enjoy a bit of both excitement and relaxation when you cozy up with Mother Nature. Will you pick up when nature rings? Here are 5 Smoky Mountain adventures to try at least once:

Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, and it offers some of the most incredible views! Visitors love making the trek to the summit of Mt. LeConte and taking in the beautiful sights. To help you plan your trip to the top of this peak, we’ve put together a complete guide to everything you need to know about Mount LeConte.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sees More Than 13 Million Visitors in 2023 Visitation numbers for Great Smoky Mountains National Park climbed for a second straight year in 2023! The park saw 13.3 million visits in 2023 — up 3% from 2022 — ranking as the second-highest attendance in the park's history, according to the National Park Service. That number trails only 2021 when more than 14 million people experienced the one-of-a-kind beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies were once again the country's most-visited national park in 2023, beating out second-ranked Grand Canyon National Park by a whopping 8.57 million visitors! June through October were the most popular times to visit the Smokies in 2023, averaging more than 1 million monthly visits. In total, national parks in America received 325 million visits in 2023.

That feeling you get from spending time in the Smoky Mountains can’t fully be explained. Yet, what is clear is how time spent out in the great outdoors has a healing effect on the mind, body and soul. If you’ve spent time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you know exactly what we’re talking about! Leave it to nature to provide the ultimate relaxation this getaway! Here are 5 benefits of hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

There’s just something about Cades Cove! If you’ve visited before, you know exactly what we’re talking about! The soothing serenity of Cades Cove is only matched by its remarkable beauty, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a memorable experience with the love of your life. This vibrant valley, surrounded by stunning mountains and tucked away in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is the gift that keeps on giving. Here are 5 romantic things to do in Cades Cove:

Are you planning to visit the Smoky Mountains with your children? Rather than spending free time glued to devices like phones, wouldn’t it be nice if your kids learned something valuable? Educational attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge provide an opportunity to learn in a way that’s equally fun and memorable! From lessons about nature and history to uncovering the unbelievable, you’ll find many educational activities for the whole family to enjoy in the Smokies! Here are 5 educational attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:

Located just outside of Pigeon Forge, you’ll find Wears Valley. This valley is known for its gorgeous mountain views and is considered the “peaceful side of the Smokies.” If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Wears Valley is the place for you. It’s filled with both history and culture and runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For those who are interested in exploring this hidden gem, we’ve put together a guide to visiting Wears Valley TN.

If you are interested in birds, the Smoky Mountains are a must-visit destination! According to the National Park Service, there have been over 240 different species of birds documented at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This includes year-round resident species as well as types of birds that use the area as a stop along migratory paths. In addition to the many types of birds here in the Smokies, there are also some attractions that allow you to see other types of birds, learn about them, and more! With so many different types of birds in the Smoky Mountains and related activities, you will have no shortage of ways to see and learn about birds when you come to visit the area. Here are some of our top recommendations: