Latest GSM Guide Posts

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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Great Smoky Mountains Snow Again for East TN and Western NC

February 25, 2015

Winter Storm Remus Bringing Great Smoky Mountains Snow Again The Great Smoky Mountains snow that won’t end. The National Weather Service has issued  yet another winter weather advisory for the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. More snow is in the forecast from  Winter Storm Remus advancing toward the southeast United States. The groundhog Sir Walter Wally in North Carolina got it right when he predicted 6 more weeks of winter. But the ski resort have had a great year with all the snow and cold temperatures this winter. Here is the latest…
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Clearing Snow and Ice A Challenge for Park Service

February 21, 2015

Environmental Concerns Make Clearing Snow and Ice in GSMNP A Challenge With all the snow, ice and frigid weather that’s occurred at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the last few weeks clearing snow and ice on the roads can be quite a challenge. The National Park Service does not use ice-melting agents or salt on the roads for winter weather precipitation. Salt, brine and other ice-melting agents can have harmful effects on the environment such as killing roadside grass and other vegetation. When the roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park need clearing of snow, sleet or ice the park…
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Ice Storm Closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

February 17, 2015

Ice Storm From Octavia Closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park The National Park Service has closed all  park facilities of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to the ice storm. This means all visitors centers and roads have been closed today. Winter Storm Octavia brought a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain to the area resulting in a dangerous ice storm. For the next several days frigid temperatures are in the forecast. The arctic cold front that moves over the southeast will bring extremely cold temperatures for about 48 hours. More snow is predicted for Wednesday and temperatures…
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Winter Storm Octavia Headed For Great Smoky Mountains

February 15, 2015

Winter Storm Octavia Heading to the Great Smoky Mountains Winter Storm Octavia is making her way toward East Tennessee and North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains are forecast to get several inches of snow with this latest winter storm. But not only is snow in the forecast but possible sleet and freezing rain with significant accumulation possible. This means broken tree limbs, downed trees, downed power lines and power outages. The storm is expected to reach the Great Smoky Mountains tonight. Below average cold temperatures will remain in effect for the rest of the week. So whatever falls will stay around…
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Great Smoky Mountains Weather Snow and Winter Weather Advisory

January 23, 2015

The Great Smoky Mountains Weather Bring Fun In The Snow The Great Smoky Mountains weather for the next few days will bring snow. A Winter Weather Advisory in now in place for the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Snow is expected Friday night and into Saturday morning and then again on Monday Jan. 26, 2015. An accumulation of 1-3 inches with the higher elevations getting the most. The Winter Storm Iola is responsible for the winter weather as it tracks up the east coast of the United States. Snow lovers and skiers head for the…
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Got Over 1 Million Visitors in 2014

January 12, 2015

2014 A Huge Year For Visitors and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Last year was huge for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the park got over 10 million visitors. The busiest year was in 1999 with 10,284,000 visitors. Last year there were 10,099,000 visitors. There was also a higher number of campers in the campgrounds and backcountry camping sites. This was good news for the park since the government shutdown caused a significant loss of revenue in the 2012 year. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the second most visited National Park in the United States. The park has…
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