Latest GSM Guide Posts

Trails And Backcountry Campsites Reopen After Bear Attack

July 4, 2015

Trails And Backcountry Campsites Reopen After Bear Attack In June The Hazel Creek area hiking trails and backcountry campsites have been reopened by the park service weeks after a bear attack occurred. The park service after monitoring for bear activity have decided it is safe to reopen the area to hikers and campers. Signs still warn of the dangers of bear activities. Visitors should take precautions while in the Great Smoky Mountains. The areas reopened are Hazel Creek Trail, Jenkins Ridge Trail,  Bone Valley Trail, Cold Spring Gap Trail, Derrick Knob Shelter, and backcountry campsites 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,…
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Train Derailment and Evacuation Near Maryville

July 2, 2015

Train Derailment and Evacuation of Maryville Residents in Tennessee A CSX train derailed late Thursday night close to midnight near the town of Maryville, TN. The train was carrying the hazardous material liquid acrylonitrile. Fore and smoke could be seen for miles. Local officials had to evacuate thousands from a two-mile radius. Firefighters were not able to get close to the fire due to the heat and toxic fumes. The dangerous liquid chemical if inhaled can cause headaches, dizziness, and a rapid heart rate. The area hospital has treated many people for breathing related conditions, skin irritation and nausea. A few first…
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Many Areas Still Closed Due To Bear Activities

June 21, 2015

Many Areas Remain Closed Due To Bear Activities Black bear activities in the Great Smoky Mountains still remains an issue. A Ohio teenage was pulled from his hammock while camping with his father at a backcountry campsite. He suffered cuts to his head and other injuries. His father scared the bear away. The boy was taken to a hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. A black bear in the same area was caught and euthanized but if it was the same bear that attacked the teenager is unknown. Results from a DNA test are still not ready. DNA from the hair taken at…
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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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Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Dates

May 5, 2015

Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Dates for 2015 Announced The park service has announced the dates for the annual viewing of the Great Smoky Mountains synchronous fireflies light show at Elkmont for June 2015. The dates for the shuttle buses will be June 2-9, 2015. The park service reports advanced reservations of parking passes have sold out but there will be 85 passes each day of the event available. The passes will be for sale online the day before starting at 10:00am. Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Dates for 2016 Info Found Here! Each year  in the Great…
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GSM Events

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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