Great Smoky Mountains National Park Increases Frontcountry Camping Fees. The increase for frontcounty campgrounds and picnic pavilions became effective March 1, 2018. Over the past year, officials reviewed public comments, operating costs, and projected budget levels to determine the rate of the increase from a range of 10% to 25%.
Park officials report the rate increase is necessary to meet the rising operational costs, reduce a growing backlog of maintenance on park facilities, and begin much needed improvements. Park officials are also working to improve the efficiency of campground management by adding three campgrounds to the national reservation system through Recreation.gov.
“Park visitors have long enjoyed camping and picnicking across the park in spectacular settings that offer space for relaxation and renewal,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Maintaining and servicing these facilities in the mountains presents a unique set of challenges and, with increasing costs, these fee increases are necessary to ensure the continual care and operation of these special places.”
The park operates nine open campgrounds, seven group campgrounds, six picnic pavilions, and five horse campgrounds. The current fees have not been increased since 2006 or earlier at any facility aside from Cataloochee Campground which had an increase in camping fees in 2011 when it was added to the reservation system. The park is also adding Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain and Big Creek campgrounds to the National Recreation Reservation System to improve operational efficiency. Beginning in early March of 2018, all sites will require advanced reservation and payment prior to arrival in the park through Recreation.gov either online or by phone. By placing these three geographically remote campgrounds on the reservation system, the park can reduce campground operation costs by eliminating the need for staff time for the collection of fees. The reservation system also provides a more efficient process for visitors to secure an overnight stay without traveling to the remote locations to check for vacancies.
By law, the park retains 100 percent of the camping and pavilion fees. The fees are used primarily to operate these facilities. This includes maintaining buildings, grounds, and utilities, providing visitor services, and funding rehabilitation projects, such as road resurfacing and replacing picnic tables and grills. Some revenues are also used to maintain park infrastructure and other special projects beyond these sites. Over the years, the park has had to compensate for rising costs from inflation by reducing visitor services, delaying maintenance repairs and improvements, and, at many sites, shortening the length of the season when facilities are open, having a particularly adverse impact on visitors during the shoulder seasons.
The park completed a 2016 comparability study with campgrounds in the surrounding communities and the study revealed that, while camping fees in the park have remained mostly constant since 2006, campgrounds in the surrounding communities have continued to rise. Even with the fee increase, park campgrounds will remain among the least expensive in the area.
For more information about campground facilities in the park, please visit the park website at NPS.gov.
Smoky Mountain Fathers Day Fun Activities! Ten ways to celebrate Father’s Day in The Great Smoky Mountains Sunday, June 18, 2017. The Great Smoky Mountains offer a myriad of ways to celebrate Dad’s special day. Whether your Dad prefers, hiking, biking, fishing, great food or a cold brewski, the forests, towns and valleys located around the park have lots to offer.
1: Begin with breakfast by enjoying a stack of golden pancakes at the Log Cabin Pancake House up the hill on Airport Road after turning at red light # 8 in Gatlinburg ( readily identified by the covered wagon on the roof.) The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. and features a full breakfast. Parking is available in a lot just behind the building which is handicapped accessible. Not up for a large meal? Mosey on down the cobblestone alley in The Village (located at traffic light #6) downtown Gatlinburg and enter the Donut Friar’s, which offers an amazing variety of delicious donuts and pastries. The Friar also features great coffee, including espressos and cappuccinos. Cake donuts are available beginning at 5 a.m. and you can park on the street until 9 a.m. After 9, the staff recommends turning at traffic light #6 to access one of the city parking lots.
2: Pack a basket with delectable food and head to one of the many beautiful picnic facilities in the great Smoky Mountain National Park (My Dad’s personal favorite was the Chimney’s located a few miles south of Gatlinburg on Newfound Gap Road.) Most are located near flowing rivers, and feature tables and grills to make preparing that special treat for Dad an easy task. Don’t want to cook? Many local restaurants and sandwich shops like Old Dad’s General Store on the strip in Gatlinburg offer take-outs with all the fixings. All you need is a cooler, a bag of ice and a big jug of iced tea. Don’t forget to take folding chairs (all the better to sit in while dipping your toes in that cold mountain stream) and a couple of blankets for an afternoon nap.
3: Angling for the best present? A gift certificate from Smoky Mountain Angler provides beginning and advanced fly-fishing
Fathers Day Catch of the Day!
lessons. You can also book a professional guide which will allow Dad to test his fishing skills at some of the more remote areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If Dad wants to test his luck solo, plan a trip to the Oconaluftee River, one of the best stocked trout streams in North Carolina, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Cherokee, N.C.. Required tribal permits cost $10 per day and are available online or at the welcome center or fly-fishing shop. Anglers may keep up to 10 fish per day UNLESS you are fly-fishing on a 2.2 mile stretch on Big Cove Road which is catch and release only.
4: Has Dad’s outdoor gear had it? Check out some of the innovative new gear at GSM Outfitters. Camping has come a long way since the days of the clunky folding camp stove. Space-age technology has introduced lightweight and efficient ways to enjoy the outdoors. Most gear (tents, stoves, etc.) are compact enough to make backpacking a pleasure. Hiking boots are waterproof and the addition of Gore-Tex and other materials makes for warmer toes on winter hikes. Clothing has also undergone a transformation. T-shirts and shorts are designed to wick away moisture and will quickly dry after a dip (unexpected or otherwise) in a mountain stream.
5: Hike your way to big fun on Father’s Day in the park with a
leisurely stroll down one of the many nature paths like Fighting Creek trail at Sugarlands Visitors Center or something a little more strenuous. Your intrepid dad will enjoy a hike two miles up to Alum Cave Bluffs. This hike has it all with amazing views, a climb through arch rock, rushing streams, and a diverse forest. If you have the energy you can continue on to the summit of Mount LeConte for the best view in the Smokies!
6: Plan an overnight camping trip to one of the dozens of campgrounds located in the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether Dad prefers “glamping” in a luxiourous motor home, or less glamorous pop-ups and tents, or opts to really rough it in the backcountry, Park campgrounds offer an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Some of the more popular sites include Elkmont, Smokemont and Cosby. It is not too late to catch a late night firefly show or watch for shooting stars in the dark summer skies as you are lulled to sleep by the soothing (and sometimes a bit startling) sounds of Mother Nature.
7: Maybe dad is not the sharpest knife in the drawer but at Smoky Mountain Knife Works on highway 66 in Sevierville he does not have to be. The knife works offers the worlds finest selection of blades you can imagine. Don’t forget to check out the kitchen gadgets in the basement. You won’t be disappointed!
8: Looking for an adult beverage option for Dad? Check out the Smoky Mountain Brewery and restaurant located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge ( the brewery also has sites in Knoxville and Gatlinburg) and enjoy one of the six locally crafted beers on tap. The facility is open from 11 a.m.-midnight and features live local music nearly every night. Or, cheer Dad at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery which specializes in dozens of flavors and proofs of corn liquor in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Live music in an outdoor setting is featured regularly. Check out the HeySmokies events calendar to find the dates and times!
9: Dining options abound in and around the Smokies. The iconic Smoky Mountain Trout House is a long-time favorite and a great place to chow down on delicious mountain Rainbow Trout. Another visitor favorite is the Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse. The Boursin Filet is to die for! For a more down-home meal, check out the Bush Beans Café located about 15 miles east of Sevierville, just across Highway 411 from the massive Bush Bean manufacturing plant. We enjoyed the fried catfish, fried okra and a heaping bowl of greens. While there check out the country store that offers a variety of Bush products and the museum that provides a history of the Bush family and the manufacturing process. The cafe is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; the store from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the museum from 10 a.m -4 p.m.
10: If all else fails and you need one more idea for a Smoky Mountain Fathers Day gift just give ol’ Dad a great big HeySmokies bear hug. They are free, feel great, and never get old. It may be the best gift ever invented!
The best thing about the Smokies is that every season of the year offers its own joys! Get out today, hike one of the park’s beautiful trails and get a taste of winter’s glory in East Tennessee or Western North Carolina. From frozen waterfalls to forests laced with light snow, everyone from beginners to experienced hikers will find winter hiking in the Smoky Mountains delightful! What’s more, local outfitters can get you the base gear you need to enjoy a day in the heart of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A few of them share with us what you need to know and where to go for winter hiking fun in the Smoky Mountains!
Michael Shepperd of GSM Outfitters in Wears Valley enjoys hiking in winter for a number of reasons. “Oftentimes I like to hike the most popular trails in winter, mid-week, to have a quiet, peaceful hike that would otherwise be very crowded and congested. I hiked on a Wednesday in the beginning of December to Abrams Falls (in Cades Cove). Besides myself and my wife, we saw no one. I took long-shot photos of the falls without one person being in the frame. Hikes like Abrams or Ramsey Cascades are great to go to in the winter if you enjoy owning the falls. For photography, oftentimes these experiences are priceless!”
Shepperd, whose store offers hikers just about everything they need to stay comfortable on a chilly day, including base layers of clothing, great winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, Microspikes (to keep feet from slipping on icy trails), trekking poles and more, has plenty of other reasons for hitting the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains after the weather turns cold.
“Hikes like Bote Mountain, Rich Mountain, or any ridgeline hike are great in the winter. With dramatically reduced foliage, the views on these hikes are even more spectacular only during late fall, winter and early spring. Winter is also a great time to do waterfall hikes. Water tables are up, normally thirsty plants are not taxing ground water, and with most of the leaves gone there are vantages that are not available in the summer. Hikes like Mt. LeConte and Charlie’s Bunion will oftentimes render views of frosted peaks, dense clouds and land contours that are normally hidden under blankets of green,” Shepperd says. For more info, give GSM Outfitters a call at 865-366-2608.
John Northrup of the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg, says that if the area has recently been hit with decent snowfall or ice affecting roads, visitors still have options. “Odds are if the roads are icy or snow-covered, access to the heart of the park via US 441 will be prohibited until they are deemed safe for vehicular traffic. If that’s the case, one will be limited to the roads and trails that can be reached around the park’s perimeter. Depending on how low the snowline is, parking at the entrances to Cherokee Orchard or Greenbrier can afford visitors opportunities to walk the gravel roads or trails with comfort and ease. It doesn’t take long to achieve that sense of solitude in the woods and still be so close to Gatlinburg,” he says. For the more experienced hiker, there are even more exciting options under these conditions. “Take the drive east from Gatlinburg to I-40 and enter the park at Big Creek (exit 451). Park by the ranger station and walk the gravel road toward the campground or ascend any of the trails emanating from the ranger station that ascend Mounts Cammerer or Sterling. The views of snow-covered mountains on a clear day from either summit’s observation tower are breathtaking,” Northrup advises. For more info, call NOC in Gatlinburg at 865-277-8209.
Steve Ellis, owner and chief guide at Hike the Smokys, a company offering guided hikes in the GSMNP, doesn’t let a little cold weather keep him from hitting the trails. In an email interview with HeySmokies, Ellis says “for me, the ‘best’ winter trails are the trails that foliage has restricted my ability to see historic structures, artifacts and views during the warm weather months. These trails are often in the lower altitudes, where you have easier access, and where communities once existed, such as Greenbrier, Old Settler’s Trail, Porter’s Creek, and the Old Sugarlands Trail, where the CCC Camp and the Old Stone House remain. I also like Baskins Creek (you’ll need to hike in from Cherokee Orchard Loop Road as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed from November 28 – March 24) and the Elkmont area, which is also a great place to find hidden and not-so-hidden ruins.”
Ellis, like Shepperd and Northrup, also enjoys grabbing some altitude on a cold day in the Smokies. “The higher altitudes are fun to explore, and see even greater views than in the warmer seasons, due to the incredibly clear visibility on clear days. I really enjoy a day hike on the Appalachian Trail heading east from Newfound Gap Park area to ‘The Jumpoff,’ located on the Boulevard Trail, and Charlie’s Bunion, further east on the Appalachian Trail,” he says.
Hey 2017! To get this brand-new year started off in the right direction, HeySmokies has compiled a list of the 17 Best Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains 2017 Winter Edition! There are some things that you can only enjoy in the Smokies during winter, so don’t let this wondrous season pass you by. On the list, you’ll find some of our tried and true favorites along with a few new places that we’re looking forward to exploring and hope you will too! Happy New Year! We’re so glad you’re here!
HeySmokies’ List of the 17 Best Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains | 2017 Winter Edition:
#1 Newfound Gap Car Snowmen and Icicle Viewing
There’s nothing quite like the sight of little snowmen atop vehicles around Gatlinburg, especially when there’s no snow on the ground in the downtown valley. From where do these little snowmen come? A short 14 mile drive on U.S. Highwy 441 (Newfound Gap Road) takes you to the highlands of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and during the winter season there’s usually a good chance of snow on the ground. And if there’s no snow, you’ll still be amazed at the beautiful icicles that hang off the rockfaces alongside the road. Newfound Gap Road can be temporarily closed 15-20 times each winter, so check current driving conditions by calling 865-436-1200 or check GSMNP’s Twitter.
#2 Cross Country Ski on Clingmans Dome Road
Although Clingmans Dome Road is closed to vehicles in winter it is not closed to people. On any given day, you’ll find folks out and about with their cross-country skis and snowshoes enjoying the snow-covered road. Or, you could just grab your snow boots and enjoy a walk in the highlands of the Great Smoky Mountains. For more info, visit The Clingmans Dome Experience in the Smokies.
#3 Downhill Skiing and Snow Tubing at Ober Gatlinburg and Cataloochee Ski Areas
Cataloochee Ski Area, with a summit elevation of 5,400 ft., is located in Maggie Valley, NC. Cataloochee offers 18 slopes with 740 ft. vertical drop. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area, with a summit elevation of 3,300 ft., is located in Gatlinburg, TN. Ober offers 9 slopes with 600 ft. vertical drop. Both ski areas offer snow tubing and snowboard free-style terrain parks. Ober Gatlinburg also has an indoor ice skating rink! For more info on lift packages, rentals and lessons, visit Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area 800-251-9202 or Cataloochee Ski Area 800-768-0285.
#4 Alum Cave Trail Hike
Take a hike on the new and improved Alum Cave Trail. Be one of the first to check out the great works of the Trails Forever crew and volunteers who’ve spent the last two years rehabbing one of the Smokies’ most popular trails to Mt. LeConte Lodge. Wide and graceful native stone and timber stairs have replaced the rutted gulleys on the trail. Even if ice prevents a hike to the Bluffs, you can still enjoy a walk in the old-growth forest at the trail’s beginning off Newfound Gap Road. The ancient forest here boasts a thick under-story of 10-foot high, evergreen rosebay rhododendron, dog-hobble along with a variety of mosses and ferns.
#5 Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
If you need to take the chill off and you’re feeling lucky, head to Cherokee, NC to the beautiful Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort for live Blackjack and Roulette and, of course, rows and rows of the latest slots. However, if gaming isn’t your thing Harrah’s offers a spa and some great restaurants you can check out while attending an upcoming concert: Air Supply on January 13, Jamey Johnson on January 28, YES on February 3, Purple Reign – Prince Tribute Show on February 18, Michael Bolton on February 24, and Rodney Carrington on March 25, 2017. For more info and tickets, visit Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort or call 828-497-7777. Events at Harrah’s are for guests at least 21 years old.
#6 FACE Amusement Group’s Arcades in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
The under 21 set will love an afternoon of bright lights, great music and games at one of FACE Amusement Group’s arcades in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. They offer a squeaky-clean environment, friendly staff, and great prizes! Visit Arcade City and 7-D Dark Ride Adventure at The Island in Pigeon Forge. Also in Pigeon Forge is Rockin’ Raceway and Big Top Arcade on the Parkway. In Gatlinburg, you’ll find 7-D Dark Ride Adventure in the Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler on the downtown Parkway. For more info, check out our Top Five Favorite Arcades in Gatinburg and Pigeon Forge!
#7 Cades Cove
Everyone knows Cades Cove is beautiful anytime of the year, but there is a special quietness to be found there during wintertime. Fill your thermos with some hot cocoa, pack a picnic, and take a drive around the 11-mile loop, or if you’re looking for some extra adventure, plan a camping trip. Cades Cove Campground is open year round and reservations can be made by calling 877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. For more info, check out The Cades Cove Experience.
#8 The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant in Gatlinburg
When it’s chilly outside who doesn’t love a little heated pot of cheese or chocolate with your favorite dipping munchies. And with Valentine’s Day coming up, what better place to cozy up for a romantic meal. The Melting Pot on the downtown Parkway in Gatlinburg is a great place for a unique and delicious dining experience. For more info, visit The Melting Pot Gatlinburg or call 865-430-4430 for hours and reservations.
#9 Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge
More weird and wacky fun has arrived in Pigeon Forge in the form of the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Open 365 days a year from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. this new attraction offers a unique glimpse into American crime history. Originally located in Washington DC, the museum features OJ Simpson’s famous white Ford Bronco among hundreds of other artifacts. Surprisingly, Alcatraz East is super kid-friendly and offers some great programs for children of all ages. For more info, visit Alacatraz East Crime Museum or call 865-453-3278.
#10 Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Tuckasegee River Excursion
Climb aboard one of the enclosed and heated train cars of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, NC. During the winter season, they offer an 11:00 a.m. trip on Saturdays. The Tuckasegee River Excursion is a 32-mile round-trip train ride that takes about 4 hours as you travel to the town of Dillsboro. You’ll have a 1 1/2 hour layover in historic Dillsboro to enjoy dining and shopping. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful western North Carolina countryside, you get to pass by the movie set of Harrison Ford’s The Fugitive. Choose from First Class, Crown Class and Coach Class seating. For prices and reservations, visit Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
#11 Score some Big Deals at Tanger Outlets Sevierville
Polls report that shopping is a top activity of visitors to the Smoky Mountains, and budget-minded shoppers know that now is the time to score some awesome bargains. Extra-savvy shoppers may even get their next Christmas’ shopping done now! And why not with all the huge discounts and great brands to be found at Tanger Outlets? For more info on winter hours, visit Tanger Outlets Sevierville.
#12 The Donut Friar in The Village, Gatlinburg
Early birds flock to The Donut Friar at 5:00 a.m. to gather up some of the warmest, tastiest donuts in the Smokies. The Donut Friar in The Village has been a fixture in Gatlinburg for generations. Just smell your way there and enjoy some time in the cozy, old-world atmosphere of The Village with 27 unique shops. For more info, visit The Village Shops.
#13 WonderWorks Pigeon Forge
When the weather outside is frightful and little natives are restless, we’ve got just the thing for you! WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge is 35,000 sq. ft. of lively “edu-tainment” and will delight the senses of kids of all ages. With interactive, learning fun WonderWorks offers an indoor ropes challenge course, laser tag arena, live magic show and more! For info on the 100+ hands-on exhibits and tickets, visit WonderWorks Pigeon Forge.
#14 Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge
Built to half-scale of the original luxury liner RMS Titanic, the museum’s collection contains over 400 personal artifacts from passengers and crew and is valued at more than $4.5 million. A unique self-guided tour tells the stories of people who were part of Titanic’s fate. Visitors can walk an exact replica of the $1 million Grand Staircase, put their hands in icy waters of 28 degrees, and learn the history of world as it was in 1912. Prepare to spend a few hours here if you want to take it all in and read everything. For more information and ticket prices, visit Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge.
#15 Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend
Learn all about east Tennessee’s Native American and Euro-American history at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, TN. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits on the center’s six-acre property, this is a great place to take a historic journey back in time from the early 1800’s to the establishment of the national park in 1934. For more info and tickets, visit Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center or call 865-448-0044.
#16 Horseback Riding in the Smokies
For those of you who just don’t like the heat of summer, perhaps a horseback ride in the brisk, winter air will suit you. With no flies out this time of year, it’s a great opportunity for a bug-free ride! Waldens Creek Stables in Pigeon Forge will be open beginning February 14, 2017. Davy Crockett Riding Stables in Townsend is open by appointment during the winter season. Five Oaks Riding Stables in Sevierville is open on weekends during winter.
#17 Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fishing is permitted year-round and in all streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, however, you must have a valid North Carolina or Tennessee fishing license. Fishing licenses can be obtained at area fly shops and even at Walmart. The streams within the national park boundary protects one of the last wild trout populations in the eastern U.S. For more info, check out our Reel Fly Fishing Experience.
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.
