Recent News

As long as you don’t mind the cold, winter is an amazing time to go hiking in the Smokies. The trails will be less crowded and there is a good chance you might even see some snow! There are an array of different hiking trails that are perfect during this time of year. Here is the ultimate guide to winter hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times in the Smoky Mountains. The leaves begin to change colors and there is a chill in the air. Because of the beautiful scenery, this is the perfect season to go on a hike. Here are 4 reasons to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains during fall:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the country where black bears can live safe and free in their natural habitat. It is estimated that around 1,500 black bears call the Smokies home. While they can be found all around the park, there are a few places they prefer. Here are the 4 best places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains:

Many people want to bring their pooch with them on vacation, and we don’t blame them! You can have a ton of fun with your dog in the area, including some dog friendly trails in the Smoky Mountains. There are only two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allow dogs. The other trails in the backcountry are off limits for dogs because they could bring disease into the habitat for wildlife, leave scents and scare off wildlife, or be prey to other animals. But, you can have a ton of fun on the trails that are pet friendly! Here’s everything you need to know about dog friendly trails in the Smoky Mountains.

Clingmans Dome is one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies, but few people truly know what lays below! Underneath Clingmans Dome Road, an ornately decorated hidden tunnel stands alone. It’s most commonly referred to as the Thomas Divide Tunnel, but it’s also frequently called the Thomas Ridge Tunnel, the Old Mule Tunnel, or other variations. Although it was once located on a hiking trail, the secret tunnel under Clingmans Dome is now one of the park’s best hidden treasures. Here's everything you need to know about the hidden tunnel beneath Clingmans Dome:

Make the most of your time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park by starting your day at one of the park’s 4 visitor centers! These convenient facilities are the perfect place to plan your hike since they feature park maps and various books for sale with detailed hiking information. You can also speak to a park ranger who can make hiking suggestions based on what you want to see! Here is the detailed information about each Smoky Mountain National Park Visitor Center:

The Great Smoky Mountains have a ton of incredible hiking trails people love to explore. From mountain views to waterfalls, there are all kinds of cool things to see when you’re hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Want to find something really unusual while you’re hiking? Check out these 5 hidden gems to find while hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park began reopening on May 9! If you’ve been missing going for a hike through the Smoky Mountains, your wait is over. The reopening will happen in phases, and the first of which included many of the hiking trails and roads. The second phase includes all the trails and more secondary roads. Now, more areas in the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are opening Sept. 3. We’ve gathered all the information we can about the national park reopening:

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is one of the most popular scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This road is a 5.5-mile loop that offers some of the best views in the Smoky Mountains. You’ll get glimpses of an old-growth forest, historic structures and more. We’ve put together a guide for everything you need to know about Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail:

Hiking isn’t the only way you can explore the Smoky Mountains! In addition to hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are a number of motor nature trails you can explore by car. We know you’ve heard about the popular scenic drives like Cades Cove and Roaring Fork, but if you’re looking for something less crowded on your visit, we can help! Here are 5 less crowded scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains:

If you’ve ever seen the Smoky Mountains in the morning, you will know why they have smoky in their name. Blankets of bluish smoke settle over the mountains on most mornings, creating a beautiful sight. Some rumors even have gone around, saying that locals use giant fog machines to create the smoky effect. We want to clear up this rumor for you and tell you the real reason why the Smoky Mountains are so smoky!

Everyone hopes they will see wildlife when hiking in the Smoky Mountains. There’s nothing cooler than walking along and seeing a white-tailed deer grazing on grass or a black bear climbing a tree. While seeing these creatures in their natural habitat is exciting, you want to be sure you stay safe and the animals stay safe. Here are 4 things you should do when you see animals while hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

If you’ve ever been stressed out and find that spending time out in nature makes you feel better, it’s not just in your head! Psychologists have done a study to see the effects of spending time in nature and how it affects stress. That means if you're feeling stressed, it's time to plan a trip to the Smoky Mountains! We want to share some of the best places to enjoy nature in the Smokies! Find out more about how spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains will reduce your stress:

If you’re hiking just for a few hours during the day or overnight, there are some essential items you should pack. You don’t want to be without important items, especially when you’re out in the backcountry. Here are the top 10 things to bring on a hike in the Smoky Mountains:

Want to try a twist on hiking in the Smoky Mountains? Go hiking with Smoky Mountain Llama Trek! You can enjoy your favorite past time in a new way when you go with llamas! Check out these top 4 reasons why you should hike with Smoky Mountain Llama Trek: