Sure, the GSMNP picnic areas are great, but what if you want a change of scenery? We’ve got just the places for you to explore There’s a place on Wears Valley Road that runs between Pigeon Forge and Townsend through (you guessed it) Wears Valley. And it may be the worst designated picnic spot in the world.It’s not far past
From Mount Le Conte to Meigs Mountain, the stories behind some of the people who had peaks named for them in the Smokies What do a Swiss photographer, a Missouri librarian and a Washington bureaucrat all have in common? Peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been named in their honor, of course. And it was frequently in
From Blue Ghosts to White Squirrels, you never know what you might find in the mountains From Big Foot to Feral People, there are plenty of tall tales of strange creatures that live in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding forests. But as they say, the truth can be stranger than fiction. There are several odd, bizarre
Fall is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains. The air is cool and crisp and towns are adorned with fall decorations. The trees are also on display with different arrays of yellow, orange and red. Countless people visit the mountains to see the beautiful fall foliage each year. So if you’re looking for a few additional activities to
If you have heard of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ve probably heard of Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome. Being the highest point in the most visited national park will grant you that kind of notoriety. But with great fame comes great curiosity. Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this iconic landmark to help you plan your
These are the most likely months you’ll see snow in the Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg is a charming mountain town in East Tennessee that is especially popular to visit during the holiday season. But winter weather events can complicate plans for tourists and locals alike. So, even though you won’t be likely to see much snow when you visit the Smokies,
Things not to do at Kuwohi a locals take William Shakespeare – through his timeless star-crossed heroine Juliet – once asked “What’s in a name?” I find myself pondering that question more these days than ever before in my life. It’s certainly a question that in today’s times – like so many pieces of our lives that had been relatively
A guide to some of the best cascading water in the Smokies and beyond One of the blessings of living in or near the mountains is access to beautiful waterfalls. To be clear, you don’t necessarily need mountains to have a great waterfall. However, rapid changes in elevation do increase the frequency and availability of the natural wonder of falling
Thousands of visitors are leaving their handwritten wishes at this beautiful bridge in the Smoky Mountains I’ve been around the Smoky Mountain tourism game for more than 30 years. So, I’ve come to expect certain liberties to be taken with local lore. Any mountain, cove, den, holler, waterfall or creek that happens to come under the ownership of a money-making
Plants to be wary of on your next trip to the Smokies When thinking about poisonous plants of the Smokies, I started to feel a little haughty. “Who in the world goes through the mountains just eating random plants?” Then, a torrent of memories from my youth flooded back. All of them revolving around my love of all things sour.