Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that parking passes for shuttle transportation to view the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont will be distributed this year via a lottery system. Since 2006, access to the Elkmont area has been limited to shuttle-service during the eight days of predicted peak activity in order to reduce traffic congestion and provide a safe viewing ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials will reopen the Whiteoak Sink area with limited access effective April 1 through May 15, 2016 to limit human disturbance in critical bat habitat and help hikers avoid interactions with bats. Park biologists will continue monitoring bat populations near the site as they emerge from winter hibernacula to collect population, ecological and behavioral data ...

Pets Without Parents, Sevierville’s no-kill animal shelter, and PARC Foundation, the charitable arm of NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains, are teaming up to host the Color Me Mutt 5K Color Run and Pet Parade on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 7:30 a.m. at NASCAR SpeedPark. Pet lovers, as well as running enthusiasts, are invited to participate along with their dogs. All ...

Gatlinburg is gearing up and preparations are underway for the first-ever Hands On Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Weekend from April 8 through April 10, 2016 in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. The 2016 Hands On Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Weekend provides arts and crafts lovers the opportunity to own a beautifully crafted piece of artwork made with their ...

Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring kicks off a full season of events with the 2016 Gatlinburg Wine Fest Weekend. The Gatlinburg Wine Tour on Friday, April 8 and Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest on Saturday, April 9 offers wine aficionados a weekend of tasting the finest of Gatlinburg’s culinary fare and Tennessee wines. Gatlinburg Wine Tour is the perfect opportunity for ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced plans to open Clingmans Dome Road this weekend beginning Saturday, March 26, 2016 as weather permits. Due to mild temperatures this week, park crews have been able to prepare the road and facilities for the seasonal spring opening ahead of schedule allowing additional opportunities for visitors to reach the popular destination. Accessible by ...

Dolly Parton brings her Pure & Simple concert tour home to Sevier County, Tenn. with a stop at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge on Nov. 15, 2016 to benefit her Imagination Library. The Pure & Simple tour is Parton’s first North American concert tour in more than 25 years and takes her to more than 60 cities across the ...

In a year that saw visitation to Great Smoky Mountains National Park exceed 10 million for only the fifth time in history, Great Smoky Mountains Association – which generates its support for the Smokies primarily through visitor center sales – was able to contribute just shy of $1.5 million to park programs and services in 2015. “This was a year ...

LeConte Medical Center observed Certified Nurses Day, Tuesday, March 22, 2016 by honoring 11 board-certified nurses who work at the hospital with a special luncheon. Board certification of nurses plays an important role in assuring high standards of patient care. “Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex,” said Janice McKinley, senior vice president and chief nursing officer ...

The Gatlinburg Fire Department unveiled a new Public Safety Training Center at Fire Hall Number One on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Funded by the United Way of Sevier County and donations of area businesses, the department built a 3,000 square foot structure where they can hone their fire fighting skills. Built to resemble a two-story house or a multi-resident property, the ...