Latest GSM Guide Posts

Newfound Gap Road Travel Problems

October 10, 2024

Newfound Gap Road Travel Problems The Great Smoky Mountains are busy after reopening post-Helene. But Newfound Gap Road travel problems linger. Newfound Gap Road was closed for several days. Then reopened to traffic but problems arose. Big rigs were using the road to get through the mountains. Problems ensued big time. The narrow winding steep roads were no match for many trucks. To prevent big rigs from using Newfound Gap Road (441) through the Great Smoky Mountains, the park service is now monitoring every entrance into the National Park. Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 are both closed after the roadways…
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Increased Fire Danger Closes GSMNP

November 20, 2023

Fires, Increased Fire Danger Closes GSMNP Increased fire danger closes GSMNP. Parts of the GSMNP have been closed due to increased fire danger. The dry conditions along with expected high winds for the next 24 hours have resulted in the closure of many areas and roads in the GSMNP. East Tennessee has had multiple brush fires in the last few weeks. Last Thursday a brush fire was located just across the street from Dollywood. Today a brush fire has been reported near Townsend, inside the GSMNP, in the Rich Mountain Gap area of Blount County. Crews from several agencies have…
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Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway

October 18, 2023

  Cherohala Skyway Scenic Drive Just south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Cherohala Skyway. A road trip enthusiast’s dream come true! If you’re looking for a breathtaking drive through the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, look no further than the Cherohala Skyway! This scenic byway has some of the best mountain scenery in the area. This 43-mile National Scenic Byway through the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests stretches between Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Robbinsville, North Carolina. It winds up and over 5,400-foot mountains for 18 miles in North Carolina and 23 miles in Tennessee. The…
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GSM Travel

Hallmark Movie In The Great Smoky Mountains

September 3, 2023

Hallmark Movie In The Great Smoky Mountains   The Hallmark movie in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was filmed in many well-known locations of the park. The movie is full of history and beautiful scenery. After watching the movie, here are some of the locations I noticed that were used in the filming of the movie. Locations included are the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cades Cove, Abrams Falls, Townsend, Falls Creek State Park, Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, Cherokee Cavers, Knoxville and Cherokee, NC. Hallmark released three National Park series movies in 2023. The first in the series…
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Cades Cove Rich Mountain Road Closed For Bear Encounter

August 5, 2023

Cades Cove Rich Mountain Road Closed For Bear Encounter A popular road in Cades Cove has been closed due to dangerous bear activity. Rich Mountain Road has been closed until further notice because of a close encounter between a visitor in their vehicle and a bear. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials report the bear had become habituated with humans and vehicles. The visitor in their vehicle received minor scratches in the incident. The park service stated the visitor did not contribute to the bear’s habituation with humans. The park service does not plan to euthanize the bear. Rich Mountain…
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GSMNP Proposes Parking Fee Program

May 8, 2022

GSMNP Proposes Parking Fee Program The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is proposing a parking fee program for vehicular traffic. The park is currently one of the few national parks that do not charge an entrance fee. But for the last several years the park’s visitation has increased by almost 60%. And the park’s operational budget hasn’t changed. The increase in the number of visitors has resulted in maintenance needs on trails, structures, and roads throughout the park. Park It Forward Park It Forward is the proposed parking fee program. Vehicular traffic would pay $5 a full-day parking tag, a…
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Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival

May 5, 2022

 Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival Townsend TN Townsend, TN is having its annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival this weekend. The festival is on May 7, 2022 from 10:00 am till 6:00 pm at the Townsend Visitor Center. The Bigfoot Festival this year is the 2nd Annual event held in Townsend. The festival will feature Bigfoot competitions, famous bigfoot researchers, guest speakers, live music, vendors, food trucks, and a few other surprises. The cost to get in is $5 cash at the gate. A $20 parking fee goes toward The Townsend Fire Department. Kids 5 and under get in free. No dogs…
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GSM Events

March Snow Blankets the Great Smokies

March 12, 2022

March Snow Blankets the Great Smoky Mountains In Several Inches   A big March snow has blanketed the Great Smoky Mountains. Areas received anywhere from 3 inches to 8 inches of snow. Many roads have been closed due to the inclement weather. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge received quite a bit of snow last night. Hiking boats are out and snow boots are needed today! Friday had an air temperature of almost 70°. Today it has been in the low 20s and overnight it is predicted to be as low as 14°. Although snow in…
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Dollywood 2022 What’s New

March 11, 2022

Dollywood 2022 What’s New   Dollywood 2022 is now open and Dolly made an appearance to kick off the new season! Friday, March 11, 2022 is the first day open. And Dolly made a special appearance to kick off the 37th year. It’s the first time Dolly has been to the opening since 2019. Friday’s opening day was for pass holders only. Saturday, March 12 is open to the public with tickets. Update: Opening day on Saturday had to be changed to Sunday at 12:00 PM! First time in 37 years Dollywood had to close on opening day due to…
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Cataloochee Elk Breeding Season

October 9, 2021

Cataloochee Elk Breeding Season At GSMNP Most people visit the Great Smoky Mountains in the fall for the fall foliage. But fall is also the time for Cataloochee elk breeding season. Elk rut in September and October. Elk herds are located in the Cataloochee Valley area in the southeastern section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Maggie Valley, NC.  In 2001, 52 wild elk were released in the area in order to restore the declining elk population in the United States. Now the herd has grown to numbers over 200. Rutting Season For Elk A trip to Cataloochee…
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