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Aggressive Black Bear Activity Results in Some Closures

May 19, 2015

Two Areas Closed in GSMNP Due To Aggressive Black Bear Activity Two areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been closed by the park service due to aggressive black bear activity. Mt. LeConte Backcountry Shelter and Cliff Top trails have been closed. Hikers can still hike to Mt. LeConte summit but are cautioned to hike in groups staying close together and make sure to have some bear spray. The park service is monitoring these areas for bear activity and how aggressive the bear act.  Black bear attacks in the park are rare, but attacks can happen. See how to take…
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Bear Sightings On the Increase in Park

May 18, 2015

Bear Sightings On the Increase This Year in Great Smoky Mountains Park Rangers are warning visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains about an increase in bear activity in the park this year. Multiple bear sightings  have been reported recently in certain areas of the park. Mother bears and their cubs have been spotted on several occasions this spring. Getting too close to the bears are a hazard to the bears and to humans. Park Services is warning visitors to avoid getting closer than 100 yards to bears and cubs and not to chase or approach a bear for any reason. Safely…
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Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen Restaurant Opening Big Hit

May 1, 2015

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen Restaurant Big Hit in Pigeon Forge The just opened Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen restaurant at The Island in Pigeon Forge is a hit.  The crowds where huge and according to social media the food is delicious, the staff friendly and the views are amazing.  Paula was there in person to make sure everything was a success. She was all smiles and greeted everyone with her southern hospitality, hugs and photo ops. The new restaurant hours are 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They serve breakfast, lunch…
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New Deputy Superintendent Named

May 1, 2015

New Deputy Superintendent Named for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a new official Deputy Superintendent. Clayton F. Jordan was just named deputy superintendent for the park. He was the park’s acting superintendent and acting deputy recently. He has a 29 year history with park operations including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park and Gulf Islands National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States with over 9 million people annually.The mountains that form the Great Smoky Mountain National Park straddles the borders…
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National Park Week Find Your Park

April 19, 2015

National Park Week Promotes Find Your Park This is National Park Week from April 18-26, 2015 and the park wants you to find your park. The theme for this year is “Find Your Park”. The park service wants people from all over the United States to be a part of the Find Your Park movement. There will be free admission to all parks on April 18 and 19, 2015 plus special activities and programs being held all week-long. Find Your park and National park Week promotes “wellness, recreation, community, education, history, culture, and preservation of the environment”. The Great Smoky Mountains…
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Paula Deen Family Kitchen Pigeon Forge Tn Opening Date

April 16, 2015

Paula Deen Family Kitchen Pigeon Forge Tn Opening Date April 27 Paula Deen Family Kitchen Pigeon Forge Tn opening date has just been announced. Her new restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN will be opening on April 27, 2015. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen is located at The Island in Pigeon Forge. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will be similar to the food served at her Georgia restaurant The Lady & Sons. Southern dishes are her specialty, such as fried chicken, baked chicken, chicken pot pie, mac and cheese,  fried green tomatoes, fired okra, black eye…
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Appalachian Trail Rescue of Hiker

April 8, 2015

Man Hiking Appalachian Trail Rescue in Great Smoky Mountains An Appalachian Trail rescue took place over Easter weekend. A 56-year-old man from Birmingham had to rescued in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after a storm hit. Brad Phillips was hiking with two other family members Friday when a quick-moving storm arrived dropping rain and the temperature. He suffered hypothermia and was unable to get to safety while hiking. The other family members left him after Brad urged them to leave him under some bushes for cover and to go for help. They returned hours later with help. Mr. Phillips was picked…
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Clingmans Dome Road to Open Early This Year

March 25, 2015

Clingmans Dome Road to Open Early This Year Spring has arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The daffodils are in bloom and the recent warm weather just may allow some roads to open earlier than normal. If the weather stays nice the park service may open Clingmans Dome Road as early as Friday March 27, 2015. Due to the recent warm weather the park service have been preparing park roads and facilities ahead of time for the spring opening with usually occurs on April 1st each year.   Clingmans Dome has an elevation of 6643 feet and has a…
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Dollywood DreamMore Resort Reservations

March 12, 2015

Dollywood DreamMore Resort Taking Reservations The new luxury Dollywood DreamMore Resort is now taking guest reservations and is set to open this summer in 2015. The large resort will have over 300 rooms and suites, two pools, salon and spa, fitness center, conference center shopping and a kids club. It will surely be a popular resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The resort is located very close to Dollywood Theme Park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park. Views from the resort will be of the surrounding mountain views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The resort will offer two types of dining options,…
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Earthquake In The Great Smoky Mountains!

February 26, 2015

An Earthquake Rumbles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park A rare earthquake occurred in the Great Smoky Mountains on Wednesday Feb. 25, 2015 just a few minutes after  4:00am. The earthquake was a 2.1 magnitude and was felt in an area near Clingmans Dome  located about 7 miles south of Gatlinburg, TN.   Only two other earthquakes have occurred in the park, all minor. One was in 1979 at 3.2 magnatude and one in 2011 at 2.5 magnitude. Minor earthquakes like these cause no damage but can be felt. It has been a winter to remember for the park….
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