Latest GSM Guide Posts

Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Open Seasonal Roads as Spring and Warm Weather Arrive

March 19, 2014

Major roads in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park such as US-441 (Newfound Gap Road), Little River Road, and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open year round when weather permits. As warm weather and spring time arrives the park will begin to open the secondary roads normally closed in the Winter. Clingmans Dome Road will open April 1 Little Greenbrier Road will  open April 11 Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this road. Parson Branch Road will open April 11 Rich Mountain Road will open April 11 Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this one-way…
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Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Build a Collections Preservation Center in Townsend

March 18, 2014

Townsend, TN just south of Pigeon Forge is getting a Collections Preservation Center.Townsend is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The $4.3 million center will be built at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Construction will begin this year and open in 2015. The Park Archives Center will be a 13,000 sq foot building and will be used to house documents and artifacts from the region that relate to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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Shutdown of 2013 Cost National Parks Millions of Visitors and Lost Revenue

March 16, 2014

The government shutdown of 2013 affected the number of visitors to National Parks across the United States. Almost 8 million fewer visitors traveled to the National Park because of course the parks were closed. Overall National Parks and the surrounding communities nationwide cost an estimated $414 millions in revenue as reported by the Interior Department that oversees the park system.

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2014 World Series of Poker Circuit Cherokee at Harrah’s Casino

March 14, 2014

The 2014 World Series of Poker Circuit Event Cherokee is coming to Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee April 3-14, 2014. Open to all, anybody can play. Come play or just watch. Win prizes including 2 seats to the WSOP Circuit National Championship that takes place in Atlantic City, NJ! Games include: No Limit Hold ’em, Omaha High Low & Pot Limit Omaha. Buy-ins range from $65-$1,675. All registration will take place at the event. Make plans today. This is a popular event and area accomodations fill up fast! For more details see 2014 WSOP Circuit Event.

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Theft in Elkmont Historic District & Reward Offered in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

March 11, 2014

A $1,000 reward is being offered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials for the recent theft at a cabin in the Elkmont Historic District. The theft was an antique window from a historic cabin and it was discovered in January of this year. A sentence of up to 6 months in jail and or a fine up to $5,000 would be possible. It is against the law to disturb or deface natural and historic resources within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or any National Park. The stolen antique window was from the former summer home of a Knoxville…
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2012 Visitors Spend Money & Support Area Jobs

March 6, 2014

A recent report shows in 2012 more than 9.6 million visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spent $741 million in neighboring towns and cities close to the park. The analysis was done by the U.S. Geological Survey economists and the National Park Service. The money spent supported almost 11,000 area jobs primarily in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, lodging, and recreation and amusement.

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Cades Cove Has an App for Loop Road Tour

March 4, 2014

There is an app for Cades Cove! The new app was recently put out by The Blount Partnership and it is a driving tour mobile app that provides a history of Cades Cove, GPS mapping, voice narration and historical photos. The informative new  app will make the visit to the Cove more interesting as visitors ride along and enjoy the sites, history and map. To download the app go to the Apple App Store and search “Cades Cove” or search the Google Play Store for “Cades Cove”. Learning about the history of the Cove while enjoying the sites will make it so…
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Paula Deen to Open New Restaurant in Pigeon Forge This Summer

February 27, 2014

Pigeon Forge is getting a new restaurant! Paula Deen has plans to open Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in Pigeon Forge, TN. It will open in late summer of 2014.The restaurant will be located at The Island in Pigeon Forge and will be a 20,000 sq. feet restaurant and retail space.The Island in Pigeon Forge is a new retail and entertainment center that just recently opened featuring restaurants, shopping, attractions, and a 200 foot tall Ferris Wheel called The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. If you know Paula Deen you know the food will be delicious!

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter Now Available

February 19, 2014

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park quarter is now available. The quarter is the 21st coin of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The program is a 12-year initiative to honor 56 national parks and other national sites in the United States. Each year in the 12 year prpgram five new quarters with national sites depicted on the quarter.The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the same order in which the honored national park or national site was first established. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter Information from the US Mint: Designer: Chris Costello Engraver: Renata Gordon Description:…
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Most Roads Open But Watch for Snow and Ice Patches in the Great Smoky Mountains Area

January 30, 2014

Most roads in and around the Great Smoky Mountains are open but if driving please watch for snow and ice patches still on the roads in certain areas. Some areas that do not get sunlight are still iced over and can cause hazardous driving conditions still. Pay attention, slow down and remain cautious. One more day of frigid temperatures before temperatures return to the 50’s. Stay safe and stay warm!

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