News

Attractions, History, News

Who the Heck Is Kenny? Dollywood’s Co-Owners Just Added Another Wood to Their Portfolio… and a Whole Lot More

Herschend Family Entertainment Just Acquired 20 New Parks and Attractions Including Kennywood, Dutch Wonderland and Something Called the Boulder Dash Herschend Family Entertainment just acquired 20 new parks and attractions including Kennywood, Dutch Wonderland and ….Boulder Dash. I’ll admit it. For a second, I let my imagination run away with me. I saw Kennywood – which is a Pittsburgh icon

Editorial, News

Budget cuts in Washington could affect your next Smoky Mountain Vacation

Changes to the Budget May Affect Your Next Visit to the GSMNP A GSMNP hiring freeze could ruin your next trip to the park … here’s how A political battle in Washington D.C. is leaving the most visited National Park in the country stuck in the middle. Here’s what you need to know. Let’s start here: The Great Smoky Mountain

Editorial, News

The Sevierville Flag Controversy: The Notice To Take Down the Camping World American Flag

Camping World in Sevierville receives flagpole zoning violation notice A controversy is brewing in Kodak that is drawing national attention. The combatants? In one corner, Camping World, the nation’s No. 1 RV dealer and its CEO Marcus Lemonis, who sidelines as a reality TV show star. In the other corner? The city of Sevierville codes enforcement department and Board of

old mill restaurant in pigeon forge, tn

News, Pigeon Forge, Whats New 2025

The Old Mill Closings and Reopenings, Here’s What You Need To Know

The Old Mill Restaurant and bridge closed for scheduled renovations You don’t last nearly 200 years without a few renovations here and there. That’s why the folks at the Old Mill District will take advantage of smaller crowds each off-season to do necessary renovations. But this year, the closing by the City of Pigeon Forge is a bit more significant

laurel falls in the great smoky mountains

GSMNP, News

Major Changes Coming to Laurel Falls Starting in 2025

One of the most popular trails in the Smokies will be closed for 18 months The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, which is one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail will close for 18 months starting Jan. 6, 2025 as crews make improvements to the

ghost town in the sky when it was open

Editorial, News

Devastating Ghost Town Update Makes Reopening Seem Impossible

Efforts to revive Ghost Town in the Sky left in limbo after tragic death of co-owner In the more than 60 years since it opened, the Western North Carolina theme park known as Ghost Town in the Sky has seen more than its fair share of hardships, challenges and difficulties. There were long-term ramifications of building a theme park atop

a city limits sign to pigeon forge

GSMNP, News

US 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will reopen tomorrow

National Park Service continues to follow impacts from Hurricane Helene The National Park Service (NPS) will reopen US 441/Newfound Gap Road by 8 am tomorrow morning, Oct. 2, 2024, to allow for access between Tennessee and North Carolina communities. Once US 441 reopens, all major roads, trails and facilities on the Tennessee side of the park will be open to

Attractions, News, Whats New 2025

New Attractions in the Smoky Mountains for 2025

These are the most anticipated new attractions that are now open or coming soon Change is the nature of the business in the Smokies. Attractions come and go. Restaurants follow one after the other. Sites that used to be go-cart tracks become T-shirt shops or pancake palaces or whatever the next great thing is. And all the while there is

kuwohi in the smoky mountains with blue sky

GSMNP, News

Clingmans Dome in the Smokies Receives Surprise Name Change

Kuwohi name restored to the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains Today, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to change the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi. This decision is in favor of the formal request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The National Park Service strongly supported the name restoration and applauds today’s decision, and added