Smoky Mountains

One of the best things about the holiday season in the Smokies is the food. Not only can you enjoy traditional holiday meals, this wonderful time of year also includes some of the best sweets. If you are someone who loves the taste of apple cider or peppermint hot chocolate, this is the list for you! Here are 7 of the best places to get holiday treats in the Smoky Mountains:

Winter is a magical time to visit the Smoky Mountains. There are numerous festivals and events to attend, in addition to all the wonderful attractions that are open year round. If you are planning a vacation with children, you do not have to worry about there not being enough for them to do. Here are 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains with kids this winter:

If you’re just now getting into hiking, we know that a few of the bigger hikes in the Smokies can seem intimidating. Don’t worry, you don’t have to start with hikes like Chimney Tops or Mount LeConte. Instead, try a few of the beginner-friendly hikes that our national park offers. Here are 7 trails in the Smoky Mountains for beginner hikers:

Spending Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains is one of the best decisions you will make this holiday season. Believe it or not, taking a vacation can save you lots of time and work, so you don’t have to deal with the stress of the holiday. Here are 6 benefits of renting a cabin for Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains:

When you visit the Smokies, there are a few things you will want to experience while you are here. Not only because they are amazing, but also because you will not find anything like them anywhere else. Here are 5 things you can only find in the Smoky Mountains:

You aren’t the only one who is excited for pumpkin spice and jack-o-lanterns this fall! One hungry black bear in Gatlinburg decided to enjoy some delicious pumpkin right in the streets of downtown. Check out the video here:

While there are a ton of great drives for motorcycle riders in the Smokies, the Tail of the Dragon is the one that reigns supreme! Between the amazing scenery and the breathtaking curves, it is on the bucket list for most motorcycle enthusiasts. Here is a complete motorcyclist’s guide to the Tail of the Dragon and other great Smoky Mountain drives:

If hiking is your hobby, then you probably have hiked quite a few trails in the Great Smoky Mountains! A great trail that’s considered difficult with a roundtrip length of 5.9 miles is Bullhead Trail! This trail boasts breathtaking views of the mountains, and it’s one of the less traveled trails in the park. Check out these 6 things you didn’t know about Bullhead Trail in the Smoky Mountains:

On September 28, park officials and the public celebrated the completion of the John Oliver Accessible Trail in Cades Cove. This half-mile, paved trail is about 8 feet wide in order to accommodate those with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Meeting the standards of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), this trail in Cades Cove provides access to the John Oliver Cabin for visitors of all ability levels.

While everyone enjoys spending the day taking in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, they might not think of all the people that helped shape what it is today. There are countless people who worked long and hard to transform the beautiful landscape into the place where millions of people congregate every year. Here are 6 people who had a hand in the early history of the Smoky Mountains:

With around 65 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the largest tracts of animals in the country. We all know that Cades Cove is a great place to see these creatures, but there are plenty of other hot spots for wildlife throughout the Smokies as well. Here are the top 4 places to see wildlife in the Smoky Mountains:

One of the most popular activities in the Smoky Mountains is hiking! Most people choose to hike the popular trails, while other people who hike as their hobby want to find trails that are off the beaten path. There are quite a few trails to choose from, but we want to share a secret hiking trail with you called Courthouse Rock Trail! Keep reading to learn more about this secret trail in the Smoky Mountains.

If you’re traveling to the Smokies soon, you’ll want to spend some time enjoying all the natural beauty of the area. We also know you’ll want to stay somewhere that offers all the luxuries of home. Luckily for you, there are tons of glamping opportunities that will give you the best of both worlds. Here are 3 reasons to go glamping in the Smokies:

Starting on September 7, 2021 you’ll be required to make a reservation to park at the Laurel Falls trailhead in the national park. In order to better manage visitors and cut down on congestions on this popular trail, the park will be testing a reservation program through October 3, 2021:

For over 50 years, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has been connecting people to nature through residential programs, research, community engagement and advocacy for outdoor learning. Their mission has always been to educate both youth and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. Here is everything you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: