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Great Smoky Mountains Artist Lee Roberson Jr. Dies

July 18, 2014

The well-known artist of the Great Smoky Mountains, Lee Roberson, died last month. He was 79 years old at the time of his death. He had an art gallery near Townsend, TN that was located on Wears Valley Road. The Roberson Gallery was a staple of the Smoky Mountains tourist with more than 2 million tourists visiting the gallery. Many tourist stopped at the gallery located between Pigeon Forge and Townsend. His many paintings of ‘The Peaceful Side of the Smokies’ were a favorite among the many people that visit and love the Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove area. He will be…
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Great Smoky Mountains Bears Close More Trails Due to Bear Activity

July 13, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains bears have closed more trails due to bear activity. Gregory Bald and other trails in this same area remain closed due to bear activity in the area. More trails in the Great Smoky Mountain Park had to be closed recently due to bear activity. Twin Creeks Trail, Noah Bud Ogle Trail and the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin were closed after two hikers encountered a bear that followed them for almost 1/2 mile. No injury was reported. The hikers followed advised bear precautions, gave the bear space, backed away, made loud noises, and threw rocks. Finally after the hikers got into…
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Gregory Bald Area Closed Due to Bear Activity and Safety Concerns

July 3, 2014 0 Comments

Gregory Bald and trails close by have been temporarily closed by GSMNP officials due to increased bear activity. There have been multiple bear encounters with hikers recently. The bears are feeding on the ripe cherries that grow in the area. Park officials will continue to monitor the situation and reopen Gregory Bald as soon as it is deemed safe. See these bear safety tips. See the beauty of Gregory Bald…

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Synchronous Fireflies Show Popular Attraction This Time of Year

June 18, 2014 0 Comments

Elkmont Campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains have hundreds of people using the shuttle service to observed the show of the synchronous fireflies. The light show happens every year and last for only about 2 weeks. This event is growing every year at Elkmont.It’s so popular the Park Service now uses trolleys to bring the large crowds to the campground. People arrive at about 7:00 pm, set up their chairs or blankets and watch till dark to watch the show. Watch what is happening…

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Bear Warnings- 2 Campgrounds Closed

June 10, 2014 0 Comments

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park bear warnings have been reported by the park rangers due to active bear sightings and some problems in the backcountry campgrounds. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials report having to close 2 back-country campgrounds due to active bear activity. Bear activity in June is normal but for safety reasons 2 areas were closed- Backcountry 13 and Spence Field Shelter. Park rangers remind campers and visitors to not leave food out and take precautions if you encounter a bear.

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North Carolina Outdoor Drama Unto These Hills Starts May 31, 2014 in Cherokee

May 25, 2014 0 Comments

The North Carolina outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” returns this  summer at Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee. It  is the story of the Cherokee people – their story and culture that plays in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains in Cherokee, NC. “Unto These Hills”  can be seen nightly (except on Sunday) May 31- August 16, 2014 at Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee. The show is in the evening time. See Unto These Hills for more details and ticket info. If you vacation in the  area during the summer months make sure to see it. See the Eagle Dance from youtube…

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Hiker Rescued from Ramsey Cascades Trail in Great Smoky Mountains

May 14, 2014 0 Comments

Hiker rescued from trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains were called on to respond to an unconscious hiker on the Ramsey Cascades Trail in the Greenbrier area about 6 miles from Gatlinburg, TN shortly after noon on Tuesday May 13, 2014. The unconscious hiker had apparently fallen during a hike. Other hikers performed rescue breathing for the victim until he regained breathing on his own. Responders included park rangers. EMTs and paramedics. The man was transported by helicopter using  a rescue litter to get him into the helicopter. The male hiker was identified…
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Birds of Prey to be Presented at Oconaluftee Visitor Center This Week

May 3, 2014 0 Comments

Birds of Prey is going to be presented at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center May 9, 2014 (Friday) at 1:00 pm. It is an educational  program that offers “an up-close glimpse of some of the most recognized and revered birds such as the tiny eastern screech owl and northern bald eagle. From the high, exposed peaks, to the warmer, sheltered lowlands, some 240 species of birds have been found in the park. Sixty species are year-round residents. Nearly 120 species breed in the park, including 52 species from the neo-tropics” as stated on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facebook page. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center…
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Elkmont Synchronous Fireflies Viewing

April 29, 2014 0 Comments

Make plans to see this annual amazing Elkmont synchronous fireflies light show. Every year at Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park there is a firefly viewing that is very popular and attracts thousands of spectators. In late May and early June synchronous fireflies or Photinus carolinus, a species of fireflies that live in the park provide a interesting show due to their mating pattern. This flash pattern unique to the type of firefly (also referred to by southerns as lighting bug) has a flash pattern that male and female fireflies of this species recognize and is part of their…
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Junior Ranger

April 26, 2014 0 Comments

Fun day for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Junior Ranger Day. Today in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was National Junior Ranger Day. Activities were held at Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Cades Cove visitor centers. Children had fun taking ranger-guided walks, talking with a wildland firefighter, working in a blacksmith shop, and holding real animal skins, skulls and scat. Children could earn a Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger booklets. It was a lot of fun for the kids as well as the entire families with everybody learning neat stuff about the Great Smoky Mountains.

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