Stuck in a Rut this Fall? Come to the Smokies because our Elk are too! Here’s all you Need to Know about Elk Viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Are you stuck in a rut this Fall? Well, come to the Smokies for some elk viewing! Their rut will get you out of your rut! Autumn is that time of year when these amazing animals get friendly and fill the air with those iconic bugle calls! Read on, because we’ve got all you need to know about Elk Viewing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this Fall!

The fall mating season begins each year around mid-September and is known as the rut. And it’s during this time that male elk, or bulls, are energized and ready for action. They make bugle calls to attract the females, or cows, and to challenge other males.

Elk are the largest animals in GSM National Park. Yes, they are larger than black bears! Bulls can weigh between 600 to 700 pounds and up to 10 feet long. Cows weigh around 500 pounds.

One of the best places to see elk in the Smokies are on the North Carolina side of the National Park in the Cataloochee Valley.  The elk regularly cross the mountains out of Cataloochee and are often seen in Big Creek, and in the fields near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center just outside of Cherokee.

The best time of day to see the elk is usually at sunrise or the last hour before sunset. During the fall rut, visitors are not allowed to walk in the fields even when the elk aren’t present. The fields are the gathering place for the bulls and their harems of cows to breed, so the males are quite agressive and can mistake you or your vehicle as a threat. They will charge and it can get ugly. Be aware and be sure to keep a distance of at least 50 yards at all times for your safety and theirs. Stay on the roadside and be sure to bring binoculars or a spotting scope and use your telephoto lens on your camera.

This is a great video of Elk Viewing Safety Tips produced by The Great Smoky Mountains Association!

Elk once flourished in the Smokies and the rest of the southern Appalachian Mountains but were hunted to extinction by the mid-1800’s in Tennessee. The reintroduction of the majestic animals began in 2001 with 25 elk imported from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on the Kentucky/Tennessee line.  In 2002, another 27 elk were brought into Cataloochee Valley. Reports say there may be up to 200 elk in park currently. A success story indeed!

Elk are vegetarians and love the grasses found in the bottom land of the valleys. With winter coming on, elk grow a second coat of fur with long hairs on top to repel snow and water to stay dry. They have a plush underfur to stay warm. For more information on elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit GSMNP.

Kata Hay Performs at Park Vista’s Fall Harvest Celebration on October 7th

You’ll remember Kata Hay as a 2016 finalist on the hit television show, “The Voice” and she’s returning to the Smokies to perform at “To The Moon and Back Fall Harvest Celebration” on Friday, October 7, 2016 in Gatlinburg.

This annual event presented by The Park Vista a Doubletree by Hilton in Gatlinburg is an enchanting evening of great entertainment with Kata Hay, dinner and dancing, and more! It’s all for good cause too, Give Kids The World Village!

It all takes place at the beautiful Park Vista Doubletree Outdoor Pavilion and gardens in Gatlinburg. The Fall Harvest Celebration Dinner and Silent Auction bidding will begin at 6:00 p.m. The evening of fun continues with a live auction full of exclusive items!

Tickets can be pre-purchased for $35 per person by calling Martha Ward at 865-436-9211 or email to: mward@parkvista.com. Tickets at the door are $40 per person.

To The Moon and Back Fall Harvest Celebration benefits Give Kids The World Village. Visit them online to see the awesome work this non-profit does for sick children and their families.

Stay connected with The Park Vista on Facebook for the latest info! For more info on a fabulous stay, visit The Park Vista A DoubleTree by Hilton.

You may remember Kata Hay from her time performing at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. She’s sure gone off to bigger things and we warmly welcome Kata back to the Great Smoky Mountains!

Hazzard Run 2016 features Tom Wopat Concert & General Lee Parade for Dukes Fans in the Smokies!

It’s the 7th Annual Hazzard Run on October 8 – 9, 2016 as fans of the 70’s hit television show, Dukes of Hazzard hit the road to Gatlinburg! Hazzard Run 2016 features a Tom Wopat (Luke Duke) concert performance, a parade of “General Lee” cars and other “Hazzard County” vehicles, and autograph sessions with Wopat, Rick Hurst (Deputy Cletus Hogg) and Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Sheriff Enos Strate)…and of course, the  colorful convoy from Nashville to Gatlinburg.

The Hazzard Run 2016 convoy heads out of Nashville bright and early on Saturday, October 8 and rolls in to Gatlinburg at 3:30 p.m. for the Hazzard County Parade. If you’re out on I-40 and see this amazing convoy of about 30 General Lee’s and 30 other tribute cars, give them a friendly wave because they are a fun group of loyal fans of the popular, cult-status TV show.

The Hazzard County Parade begins in a parking lot on Highway 321 East and proceed over Baskins Creek Bypass, down Reagan Drive to the Parkway and end at the parking lot at Cooter’s Place.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8 fans are invited to Meet & Greet autograph sessions with Tom Wopat, Sonny Shroyer and Rick Hurst. The schedule is subject to change: Tom Wopat – Oct. 8 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Oct. 9 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sonny Shroyer and Rick Hurst – Oct. 8 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tom Wopat will perform “An Intimate Evening of Music and Conversation” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at The Glenstone Lodge in Gatlinburg. Audiences worldwide adore his rich baritone and Wopat has received two Tony nominations for his work on the Broadway stage. Tickets for the show are $20 per person and available online at Cooters Place Gatlinburg or by phone at 865-430-9909. Glenstone Lodge is offering a special rate of $99 per night during the weekend of Hazzard Run 2016. Just use the code “Hazzard” when booking online or calling 865-436-9361.

Don’t miss prop builder and professional graphic artist, Mark Bradley from Florida, who wowed the crowd last year with his replica of the Hazzard Garage. Bradley returns this year with a replica of the Boar’s Nest Restaurant and Tavern.
Cooter’s Place is owned and operated by Ben Jones (Cooter) and his wife, Miss Alma who live in rural Virginia. They enjoy visiting Gatlinburg as often as possible to meet fans. Be sure to connect with them at Cooter’s Place on Facebook!

Tiny House Roadshow in Sevierville in October! Less House, More Home!

The Tiny House Roadshow will be at the Sevierville Convention Center on October 7-9, 2016! Tour over 20 Tiny Houses  by Tiny By Design Homes who was featured last year on HGTV’s popular show, “Tiny House Hunters!”

In addition to the Tiny Houses there will be more than 20 vendors of products used for tiny living. Tiny living is a popular movement across the country for those who wish to not only downsize but live a simpler lifestyle. And these days, downsizing doesn’t mean you have to give up any luxury! Come see for yourself if tiny living is for you!

Tickets are $10 for adults 18 and over, $5 for ages 10-17, and free for children 9 and under.

For more information on other Tiny House Roadshow locations, visit TinyHouseRoadshow.com. The Tiny House Roadshow is brought to you by TinyByDesignHomes.com.

CANCELLED – Cades Cove Stargazing Event on October 8! View our Amazing Milky Way Galaxy!

This event has been cancelled due to cloud cover; confirmed with the Cades Cove ranger station at noon today. We’ll keep you posted on the next scheduled event!

Don’t miss the Cades Cove Stargazing Event on Saturday, October 8, 2016! Come view our amazing Milky Way Galaxy! If you’re a Neil deGrasse Tyson wannabe, or just a fan, then this is the event for you! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has partnered with the Smoky Mountains Astronomical Society to offer a 2 1/2 hour stargazing program this fall.

The FREE program begins at 7:30 p.m. at the orientation shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road. A National Park Ranger will lead guests on a 1/3 mile walk to the viewing area. Please note that vehicles are not allowed to drive to the field for viewing so carpooling is highly encouraged.

Join experienced astronomers, with LOTS of awesome telescopes, and explore our galaxy. The amazingly low light environment of remote Cades Cove is one of the best locations to explore the  autumn skies. With a little help from Mother Nature, here’s hoping for clear skies and the unique opportunity to view stars, planets and constellations. Join a National Park Ranger and discover how the constellations received such interesting names and their significance to our human history.

“People will be amazed at the vast depths of this planetary world and all that they can see in complete darkness,” says National Park Ranger Mike Maslona,  “This program mixes astronomy, legends, and the beauty of the stars to create a worthwhile exploration into the wonders of the heavens.”

 PLANNING TIP! Remember the seasons are changing here in the Smokies so a warm jacket, hat, and gloves are a good idea for this adventure. Bring along a flashlight and binoculars. A lawn chair and blanket will add comfort to your outdoor nighttime experience.

Even if you only have a passing interest in the heavens this event should not be missed! In case of inclement weather. the program will be cancelled. Please call the Cades Cove Visitor Center at 865-448-4104 on the day of the event to confirm. Visit Smoky Mountains Astronomical Society to learn about other stargazing events throughout the year.