Tag Archives: Great Smoky Mountains

A Louisiana man died Thursday after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into two other vehicles on Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rangers responded to a report of a motorcycle collision on Newfound Gap Road approximately 12 miles north of Cherokee, NC. about noon on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Cherokee Indian Police Department Officers, Cherokee ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Trillium Gap Trail will be temporarily closed through Thursday, July 11, due to hazardous trail conditions. The area received heavy rainfall over the last couple of weeks causing extremely slippery, muddy conditions on the trail surface undergoing rehabilitation. “The safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority,” said Park Trails ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the dates for viewing synchronous fireflies in Elkmont. Shuttle service to the viewing area will be provided on Thursday, May 30 through Thursday, June 6, 2019. All visitors wishing to view the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont must have a parking pass distributed through the lottery system at www.recreation.gov.  Every year in late ...

Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) and R&R Fly Fishing Co-owners Ian & Charity Rutter visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Laurel Falls trail to observe dilapidated infrastructure sites and take part in fly fishing along the Little Greenbrier River. The park currently faces $151 million in deferred maintenance projects that negatively impact visitors’ ability to enjoy the Smokies. In ...

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 ...

Panel to discuss animals such as bears killed in motor vehicle collisions along the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge wildlife corridor. Vehicles collide with large mammals as many as 2 million times each year in the United States, resulting in roughly $12 billion in costs plus loss of life. This global issue has reached a regional tipping point throughout East Tennessee ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Lisa Hendy has been selected as the new Chief Ranger. In April, Hendy will oversee employees in the Resource and Visitor Protection Division who perform law enforcement duties, wildland fire operations, emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, backcountry operations, and staff the emergency communications center. Hendy brings a wealth of experience ...

A man illegally hunting ginseng last year in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park died as a result of methamphetamine overdose, not a bear attack. 30-year-old William Lee Hill, Jr., of Louisville, Tenn., and his companion Joshua Morgan split up shortly after they allegedly entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to illegally harvest ginseng in the area off Rich ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Sugarlands Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Park Headquarters, and all administrative offices are closed today, January 29, 2019 due to winter weather. Currently, most park roads are closed except for the following:  Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Visitor Center, the Spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and Newfound Gap Road from Cherokee to Smokemont Campground. All facilities are closed and ...

During the partial shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. Roads and trails that are seasonally open will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. The park will not be operating campgrounds, ...