Tag Archives: camping

Rangers euthanized a bear Saturday after it was found scavenging the body of a hiker near a backcountry campsite in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to park spokesperson Jamie Sanders, hikers found an unoccupied tent at campsite 82 during the afternoon of September 11, 2020. The hikers subsequently discovered what appeared to be human remains across the creek ...

Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will soon be able to camp again at their favorite Smokies campgrounds. Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is increasing access to additional campgrounds and picnic areas. The National Park Service (NPS) is ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that some campgrounds, visitor centers, and additional roads will be accessible to visitors as part of the current phase in the park’s plan to restore public access across the park. Beginning on Monday, June 8, the following areas will be accessible:  Cades Cove and Smokemont CampgroundsAnthony Creek Horse CampSugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and ...

The park announced it would stop taking reservations for certain facilities and modify policies for campground and backcountry campers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to take steps to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and local and state authorities to promote social distancing during the ...

Park officials warned campers and backpackers in the Smoky Mountains backcountry that campfires are temporarily banned and spring water sources dry due to drought conditions. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced a temporary ban on backcountry campfires effective immediately. Due to abnormally dry weather conditions, the potential for wildfires to occur in the backcountry has dramatically increased. The fire ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the main access roads into Cades Cove and Cataloochee will be closed for several months this winter for road construction projects.      The main access road into Cataloochee, Cove Creek Road, is expected to be closed from November 1 through February 29, 2020 for roadwork while the North Carolina Department of Transportation ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials finalized the 2019 spring opening schedule for park facilities. Most campgrounds, picnic areas, and roads opened Friday, April 19, in time for Easter weekend. However, winds and rainy weather forced some closures. The remainder of the facilities will open between now and Memorial Day weekend in preparation for the busy summer season. “Our staff ...

Featuring more than 250 free sessions and activities spanning five days, Pigeon Forge’s award-winning Wilderness Wildlife Week runs May 8-12, 2018. The event is headquartered at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge. In its 28th year, Wilderness Wildlife Week offers a variety of workshops, lectures, seminars, concerts, hikes and other activities designed to introduce or reacquaint participants of all ages with the great ...

Yogi Bear and Dollywood are about to become neighbors. Bear Cove Village in Pigeon Forge, the closest campground to Dollywood, is joining the Jellystone Park franchise network with a grand opening celebration planned for park guests from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2018. “We’re going to celebrate by having a ‘Yogi Bear and Friends Birthday Bash’ with ...

The 27th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week begins Tuesday in Pigeon Forge, offering a variety of workshops, lectures, seminars, concerts, hikes and other activities designed to introduce or reacquaint participants of all ages with the great outdoors. Featuring more than 220 free sessions spanning five days, Pigeon Forge’s award-winning Wilderness Wildlife Week is set for May 9-13, 2017. The event is ...