You are here

Home » Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Bookstores Carrying New Children’s Title To Help Protect Wildlife

As days lengthen and temperatures rise, black bears in national parks all across the country begin to move around the forest in search of insects, nuts, and berries. But they also venture beyond the parks’ boundaries, making their way into gateway communities to look for food. In cities and towns surrounding popular destinations like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this situation can pose a serious threat to bears and humans alike — increasing the need to educate park visitors of all ages on proper bear etiquette and food storage practices.

Great Smoky Mountains Road Work And Temporary Lane Closures

Beginning April 17, 2023, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Federal Highway Administration officials announced several upcoming road paving and pothole repair projects on Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road, and Foothills Parkway West. Crews will also finish their work on the Spur Tunnel, requiring lane closures until the end of the month.

Around The Parks: Volunteers Wanted, North Country Trail Addition, Cabin Cleaners, Mojave Roads

Road construction at Mojave National Preserve, cabin cleaners wanted at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and volunteers sought at Mill Springs National Battlefield National Monument are just some of the items in the news from around the National Park System this week.

UPDATE | Musings About The Parks: Annual Pass With Restrictions, Glacier's Reservations, And Horses

Once upon a time, there was a pass that could get you into every unit of the National Park System for free whenever the parks were opened. Sadly, those days are slipping away as growing park crowds have led to timed entry systems and even parking fees.

Reader Participation Day: A Fee Too Far?

News that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is requiring you, beginning today, to purchase a "parking tag" if you plan to pull over for longer than 15 minutes to explore the park is somewhat controversial in some circles. If you’ve purchased an annual pass to the parks, or to Great Smoky, or have a senior pass or a military pass, should you have to pay another fee to get out and enjoy the park?

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.