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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is easily the most visited national park in America. With over 9 million visitors a year, it is busy, but surprisingly, never really crowded.
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers 521,085.66 acres. Of this total, 276,343.88 acres are in North Carolina and 244,741.78 acres are in Tennessee. More than 9 million recreational visits in 2008, which is the highest visitation of any of the 58 national parks. The second most heavily visited national park is Grand Canyon with 4.4 million visits, third is Yosemite with 3.4 million, fourth is Olympic with 3.1 million. - National Park Service. PARK NEWS BEAR WARNINGS, TRAIL & CAMP NEWS
Updated August 16, 2010
NEW PARK VISITORS CENTER IS NOW OPEN AT CLINGMAN'S DOME (in the old CCC restroom building) In spring and summer of 2010 over $93,300,000 worth of improvements will be made to park roads and facilities. Funding for the projects has become available from a combination of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (economic stimulus package) along with previously-authorized Federal Lands Highway Program funds, partner construction monies, and annual cyclic and repair/rehabilitation funds. $77.4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and $19.4 million from the Federal Lands Highway Program will cover these projects and more in the coming months. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, among others, has waited a very long time for adequate funding to make much-needed repairs and improvements. This is the most visited national park in the system. Weather Advisory - For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast.
TEMPORARY ROAD AND LOCATION CLOSINGS
• Cades Cove Picnic Area will be closed August 23-24 for repaving. The
work is weather-dependent so extended rain may cause a delay in
completion until August 26
Snowy Smokies in Winter - Copyright NPS Used with Permission
BEAR WARNINGS (increased activity)
• Appalachian Trail - Doe
Knob area
• US-441 (Newfound
Gap Road) repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the
boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 2009 through
September 2010. more
CADES COVE - OPEN! The Cades Cove Loop Road is usually open year round. The Loop Road is usually closed to all vehicles each Wednesday and Saturday morning until 10:00 A.M. - bicycles and foot traffic are okay - May through September.
TRAILS CLOSED None.
TRAILHEADS CLOSED None.
TRAIL CAUTIONS
Please note that the park's
backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature
determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions
that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail
conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for
swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when
hiking in the park's backcountry.
HORSE TRAILS CLOSED None.
BACKCOUNTRY FACILITIES CLOSED
• Backcountry Campsites 29,
35, 38 FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPGROUNDS
• Abrams Creek - Closed in
winter
• Cataloochee - Closed in
winter
•
Smokemont - Open all year,
see above for additional information WATER PROBLEMS • Mollies Ridge Shelter - no water. Also no water along AT for approximately 1.5 miles south of the shelter. Water is available at Russell Field Shelter and Birch Spring Gap tent site.
CAVE AND MINE SHAFT CLOSURE Entry into caves or mine shafts in this national park is prohibited. This closure has been initiated due to recommendations issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning white nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that more than 400,000 bats have died from WNS, including 25,000 federally endangered Indiana bats, and many more bats are at immediate risk. As of March 18, 2009, at least 60 hibernacula in nine states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia) are known to be affected by WNS. Wildlife managers are concerned about the outbreak because bats congregate by the thousands in caves and mines to hibernate during winter months. This behavior increases the potential that the disease will spread among hibernating bats. In addition, hibernating bats disperse in spring and migrate, sometimes hundreds of miles away, to spend the summer. Most bats affected to date are little brown bats, but the fungus has also been found on endangered Indiana bats, raising concerns about the impacts on a species already at risk. Other affected bat species include the eastern pipistrelle and northern long-eared bat. Researchers are trying to determine if the fungus itself is responsible for the deaths or if its presence is symptomatic of another problem. For additional information about white nose syndrome in bats, please visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html
OTHER PARK NEWS!
July 9, 2010: ADOPT A TRAIL AND KEEP GREAT SMOKIES GREAT FOR HIKING! - Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting for volunteers to participate in the Adopt-a-Trail (AAT) program, an effort that helps to maintain the Park’s 800-mile trail system. The Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program has integrated volunteerism into many of its Park operations, including trail maintenance that covers everything from picking up litter to removing treefalls and reporting trail problems to the Park. A mandatory training program is scheduled on Saturday, July 31, in the North Carolina area of the Park for those who are interested in participating in the program. AAT volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and in good physical condition. They are expected to hike/patrol the trail(s) at least eight times per program year--March through October. Specific trail duties include: Collect and remove litter; clean waterbars and drainage systems; perform brushing and removal of small windfalls or branches (hand tools only); perform minor trail tread maintenance; remove illegal campsites and fire rings found along trail; inspect trail and trail signs; and promote Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. The training will be held on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Park’s North Carolina Trail Shop Training Room near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 2 miles north of Cherokee. In order to attend, participants must register by July 26 by email with Christine Hoyer, Trails and Facilities Volunteer Coordinator, or by phoning (828) 497-1949. The later part of the training will take place outside on the trail so people should wear appropriate clothing including sturdy footwear. Also, a packed lunch will be necessary. If you are interested but are unable to attend the July training, please feel free to contact Christine Hoyer to be placed on a mailing list to attend future training sessions in Tennessee as well. June 30, 2010:
NEW VISITORS CENTER OPEN AT CLINGMAN'S DOME
- The building that served as a comfort station, constructed by the
Civilian Conservation Corps, has been renovated and converted into a
seasonal information center that will also include a bookstore/sales
area managed by Great Smoky Mountains Association. The center sits
at an elevation of 6,300 feet and will be a point source of
information on the national park, in general, and on this high
elevation spruce-fir ecosystem in particular. Volunteers are needed
to assist in educating visitors about the Park and providing
recreational and trip planning information and directions to other
destinations. May 20, 2010: BEAR EUTHANIZED IN GSMNP - Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports they have had to kill a small bear after it bit a visitor's foot last week. The bear reportedly had been given handouts on Laurel Trail in the week previous to the bite, and became accustomed to being in close proximity to visitors on the trail. The person the bear bit was trying to get his picture taken very close to this bear. The person did not require any medical attention as the bite was very minor. However, it is Park policy to destroy any bear that bites people. Rescuing the bear or relocating the bear was not an option. If the bear had not been fed or closely approached in the first place, this probably would not have happened. Here is the official statement from the Park:
Here is the statement released by Park spokesperson, Nancy Gray, Thursday May 20, 2010: "In accordance with widely accepted wildlife and visitor use management policies and practices, the bear that bit a park visitor on the Laurel Falls Trail on Wednesday, May 12, was euthanized in a humane manner (following the American Veterinarian Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia.) The bear will be necropsied for research analysis purposes. Park wildlife personnel monitored the Laurel Falls Trail since the incident occurred 8 days ago. They did not identify another bear with the type of behavior that was exhibited by the bear involved in the incident. Comparison of the bear with the photographs, taken by a visitor on the day in question, confirmed we were dealing with the same animal. Contrary to what continues to be stated on websites and blogs, transferring an animal that has attacked and injured a person, to another location, is simply not an option. We sincerely hope that the intense focus directed at this particular animal will now be directed at gaining the public's cooperation in adhering to the rules and regulations designed to protect both wildlife and visitors while visiting not only the Great Smoky Mountains but all public lands." March 16, 2010: Cataloochee Elk Herd Needs Volunteers! - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteers-in-Parks program once again is enlisting volunteers to assist with managing people and elk in Cataloochee Valley, N.C. The "Elk Bugle Corps" program assists park rangers with providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior and to help with parking and traffic management. Last year, this group of volunteers totaled some 80 persons from around the area. They donated over 7,000 hours of service and spoke with over 85,000 visitors. Many of these volunteers are returning, but there is a need to replace a number of volunteers who are moving on to other opportunities this summer. The Park’s goal is to recruit and train new volunteers who can commit to assisting on a recurring basis. Each volunteer is asked to work at least two scheduled, four hour shifts per month starting the second week in May and continuing through November. This target period is during high visitor use from late spring during the elk calving season through the end of the fall color and elk mating seasons. The program’s greatest need is for volunteers to work the afternoon shifts which will run from approximately 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer. Although elk are not as active at this time of day, Cataloochee Valley is still relatively busy and the volunteers have the opportunity to spend more time with individual visitors. For persons interested, two informational meetings and new volunteer orientation sessions will be held in Cataloochee Valley at the ranger station on April 15 and 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All potential volunteers will be required to attend one of the orientation sessions as well as one full day of training during the last week of April and the first week of May. Anyone who is interested in volunteering and attending one of the orientation sessions is asked to email Ranger Mark LaShell or phone (828) 269-3161 (email is preferred). February 5, 2010: Financial Settlement - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced today that a settlement has been reached in a dispute begun in 1943 over a proposed 34-mile stretch of road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Under the terms of the agreement signed today by the Department of the Interior, Swain County, North Carolina, and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Department of the Interior will pay up to $52 million into a trust fund established for the County. In 1943, the Department of the Interior, the State of North Carolina, Swain County North Carolina, and the TVA signed an agreement to provide for replacement of a 34-mile stretch of NC288 flooded during construction of the Fontana Dam and Reservoir. Completion of an alternate road was contingent upon Congressional funding. In the 1960’s, the National Park Service constructed approximately 7 miles of the road before abandoning the effort due to environmental impacts and engineering problems. Congress appropriated additional funds in 2001, triggering a National Environmental Policy Act analysis of several options including completion of the road or a monetary settlement. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), released in January 2006, stated that the Environmentally Preferred Alternative was to resolve the 1943 Agreement through payment of a monetary settlement in lieu of any further construction. Over 76,000 comments were received on the DEIS with the vast majority received via emails and faxes generated by conservation groups opposed to the road. Public meetings to develop the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) began in February 2003. On October 2, 2007, the Park Service published the FEIS, which identified the monetary settlement as the preferred alternative. The Park Service issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on April 8, 2008, selecting the monetary settlement to Swain County as the National Park Service’s Agency Preferred Alternative.
INTERESTING AUTO TOUR (Allow 3 hours for photography and slow driving here)
BALSAM MOUNTAIN ROAD TO HEINTOOGA RIDGE ROAD CLOSED FOR WINTER NOVEMBER 1, 2009 UNTIL MAY 2010
PAINTED TRILLIUM IN MAY, BALSAM MOUNTAIN ROAD
CONEFLOWER IN SUMMER, BALSAM MOUNTAIN ROAD
BEE BALM IN SUMMER, BALSAM MOUNTAIN ROAD
BALSAM MOUNTAIN ROAD - What to see in May on Balsam Mountain Road, a 1-way 14-mile gravel road: Rare Pink Lady Slipper Orchids and hard-to-find Painted Trillium both grow here in late spring. Huge masses of wildflowers in summer reach to the sunshine up and down the steep slopes on either side of the road. Whitetail deer are sometimes on this road and they must stay on the road due to the steepness of both sides of the road so be careful when driving through there. Bears are also seen here. From Newfound Gap, go past Oconaluftee Visitor's Centers toward Cherokee, turn left on Blue Ridge Parkway before Cherokee, then left on Balsam Mountain Road (paved to campground and restrooms on left). Enter this on-way gravel road through the gate at the end of paved road after the parking lot. Be careful and drive slow on this twisting primitive mountain road; there are no guard rails on steep drop-offs. People who are in a hurry should not drive this road. Please allow people and wildlife to remain safe.
> Trailers, buses, and RV's not allowed on the gravel road - low cars discouraged > Bridge has been built over stream! Yay! > 14-mile one-way road gravel takes a while to get through, then two-way at Heintooga Ridge Road as you are exiting > Check for wildflowers (pink lady slippers and painted trillium in spring, coneflowers and bee balm in summer)
CLINGMANS DOME ROAD - CLOSED FOR WINTER DECEMBER 1, 2009 THEN REPAIRS UNTIL MAY 2010 What to see in May: Scenic vistas of Smoky Mountains, many kinds of wildflowers all along the road, both sides. > Highest altitude in the Park - too icy and closed in winter > Connects with Spruce Fir Forest Trail and Andrews Bald Trail > Very steep hike at high elevation on paved trail up to tower - be fit for this one > Check for wildflowers along this road 3 seasons (fringed phacelia spring) > Check for wildflowers on Spruce Fir Trail (Blue Bead Lily summer)
NEWFOUND GAP ROAD TO CHEROKEE - OPEN EXCEPT DURING ICY CONDITIONS > Connects with Clingman's Dome Road; restrooms available at Newfound Gap Overlook > How to get to Harrah's Casino in Cherokee from Gatlinburg, Townsend, and The Park > How to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Gatlinburg > The Appalachian Trail is behind the paved trail to the restrooms > This road is closed whenever there are snowy or icy conditions > Check for wildflowers on paved trail and slopes near restrooms 3 seasons, and all other areas
LITTLE GREENBRIER ROAD - OPEN MID-MARCH TO DECEMBER 31
LITTLE RIVER ROAD - OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT DURING ICY CONDITIONS
PARSON BRANCH ROAD - OPEN LATE SPRING TO MID-NOVEMBER > One-way dirt road to Fontana from Cades Cove
RICH MOUNTAIN ROAD - OPEN MID-MARCH 13 TO MID-NOVEMBER > Trailers, buses, and RV's not allowed on this road > One-way dirt road to Townsend from Cades Cove > Great view of Cades Cove, good photo location looking down toward meadow and church > Famous for snakes, watch where you put your feet and hands
ROARING FORK MOTOR NATURE TRAIL - OPEN MID-MARCH NOVEMBER 30 > Trailers, buses, and RV's not allowed on this road > Always use pullouts or parking lots here > Famous for wildflowers of all types and an outrageous area full of mountain laurel > See jack-in-the-pulpit, violets, tulip tree and trillium here > Very deep gorge, waterfalls, trails, pioneer cabins, allow 1/2 day minimum
ROUNDBOTTOM / STRAIGHTFORK ROAD - OPEN MID-MARCH TO NOVEMBER Trailers, buses, and RV's are also not allowed on the following roads: Greenbrier Road past the Ranger Station, and the road exiting the Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.
PETS IN THE PARK Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are allowed on ONLY TWO short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in a trash receptacle. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs. Large national parks that have extensive backcountry areas as a rule do not allow dogs on trails. These include parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Rocky Mountains, and several others. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has prohibited dogs in the backcountry since the park was first established in the 1930s. The park prohibits dogs on hiking trails for several reasons: • Dogs, like raccoons and bear, are canines, and can carry disease into the park's wildlife populations. • Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed. • Dogs bark and disturb the quiet of the wilderness. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively. • Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes and bears. In addition, if your dog disturbs a bear, it may lead the bear directly to you. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease and plants that are poisonous or full of painful thorns and burrs. • Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors. Some public lands outside the Smokies offer a wider range of recreational opportunities than are available here, including hiking with your pet. Reprinted with permission to KMG from National Park Service __________________________________________________________________________ THE PARK
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is designated as an International Biosphere, and is studied and appreciated by many people. This park has a huge diversity of wildlife and plants, and one can find a large variety of everything depending on the elevation. Every season in the park is special and inviting.
SUMMER Turks Cap Lily, July Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Newfound Gap Road Notice the lush near-tropical vegetation around this lily, typical in summer. The park is mostly in eastern Tennessee and partly in western North Carolina. Favorite destinations near the park are Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Maryville, Knoxville, Sevierville, Wears Valley, and Cherokee. this park is in the Appalachian Mountains.
SUMMER From Morton Overlook, July Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Newfound Gap Road Notice the dense moving fog that gives these mountains their name. FALL COLOR The first plants to turn color are poison ivy and sumacs. The last will be the weeping willows. Mid-September you can find fall color in the Smokies at the high elevations. Early to mid-October look for fall color in elevations over 4,000 feet. This elevation would be Clingman's Dome Road, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Foothills Parkway. Fall color peak viewing times are mid-October through mid-November. If you are planning to go there in the fall for the colorful spectacle, make your reservations now, because that is one of the most popular times of the year at the Park. What are those colors? Gingko turns clear yellow, while witch hazel, birch, redbud, hickory, and sugar maple turn yellow or gold. Other maples, oak, dogwood, and black tupelo may turn red or purple. Many oaks turn tan or brown.
AUTUMN From Newfound Gap Road, October Great Smoky Mountain National Park
HIKING TRAILS
There are many trails in GSMNP, some strenuous, some moderate, and some easy. When setting out for a hike, make sure to plan to be back before dark. A lot of hikers can hike a trail 1 to 1 1/2 hours per mile, but many hikers are slower than that. Some people hike to see how far they can go in a day. Some people stop a lot, look at flowers, look at scenery, sit and talk, take pictures. Estimate how long it will take you, and have a watch with you. Being back before dark is very important because there is no dark like the pitch black dark in a forest. Trails that seem tame in daylight become treacherous after dark, when you cannot see the edge, or rocks and roots that may trip you, or animals that have good night vision. Also be aware that streams sometimes overflow, trees may block the way, rocks may slide without warning, and water is not good to drink in most places due to acid rain. Always have water with you.
Generally speaking, a 5-mile hike is considered a day hike to many people. Start early, take a lunch for later, bring water and a watch, and take along a small first aid kit just in case you should meet a hungry insect or scratch yourself on a rock. Hike with a buddy. Have a small flashlight. Be prepared for any kind of weather. Watch for wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets - if you hear a humming, leave the area. Watch for bears and snakes. Wear good sturdy shoes or boots!
Once you get through all that, enjoy the vistas, trees, wildflowers, and wildlife you can see only if you get out of the car and walk down a path or trail.
Below are some trails you may want to follow in this Park. Remember that pets are not allowed on ANY trails in this National Park. Keep in mind that you can hike any trail at any time but you don't have to hike the entire trail to see wonderful things. Don't let the length of the trail stop you from exploring the first mile!
Strenuous Ramsey Cascades Trail - 8 miles round trip, 2000 feet gain Gregory Ridge - 8 miles round trip, 3000 feet gain Rich Mountain Trail - 8 miles loop trail, on the right before the Loop Road entrance, Cades Cove Rainbow Falls Trail - 5.4 miles round trip, 1500 feet gain Chimney Tops Trail - 4 miles round trip, very steep climb
Moderate Charlie's Bunyon Trail - 8 miles round trip Abrams Trail - 5.0 miles round trip, Cades Cove area Hen Wallow Falls Trail - 4.4 miles round trip, Cosby area Alum Cave Bluffs Trail - 4.4 miles round trip, with some tricky rocky areas and footbridges Andrews Bald Trail - 4.4 miles round trip, Clingmans Dome area Mouse Creek Falls Trail - 4 miles round trip Grotto Falls (Trillium Gap) Trail - 3 miles round trip, Roaring Forks area Indian Creek/Toms Branch Falls Trail - 1.6 mile round trip, Deep Creek area Juney Whank Falls Trail - .8 mile round trip, Deep Creek area Mingo Falls Trail - .8 mile round trip
Easy Laurel Falls Trail - 2.5 miles round trip, paved Cades Cove Nature Trail - 2.0 miles, Cades Cove area Cooper Road Trail - Cades Cove area
ROADS FOR DRIVING TOURS
Where are the best roads for touring in this Park? DRIVING TOUR: Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail In Gatlinburg, go to Traffic Light # 8 and turn right to get into this area. This is a narrow winding one-way road full of places to park, trails to explore, and old homesteads and cabins to see. The Bud Ogle place has a walking loop trail behind it that is also a good wildflower spot. Roaring Forks is a quiet place, and off the beaten path. A short hike down a trail will take you far away from traffic and noise. You will hear many birds, but they are not easily seen. If you stand still for a while, you will begin to see them in the brush, or flying back and forth across your path. The lower paved road leads you past oaks and maples and tulip poplar trees, and later, the higher elevations will be lined with hemlocks. In one spot, at a large pullout, a few steps up a trail plunges you into a grove of mountain laurel - when you find this in the spring and in bloom, it is like nothing you have ever seen before; you are surrounded by layer upon layer of pink and white blooms. "Grotto Falls" is accessible by a 1.3 mile hike off this paved road. Another spot is called "Place of the Thousand Drips" which is a multi-layered delicate waterfall on the side of the road, nearing the end of your journey. Roaring Forks can best be described as "pink blossoms" in spring, "green mansions" in summer, and "autumn lights" in fall. We have seen black bear, whitetail deer, and raccoons in this place. This area can be enjoyed either on foot or in your car. Take care and follow the rules: no speeding, watch out for the edge of the road, and do not take any rv's, trailers, or buses on this road - it is simply too narrow. This road is closed to vehicles during the winter, and usually re-opens around March 10.
SUMMER Place of the Thousand Drips, July Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail This Park is home to many waterfalls. DRIVING TOUR: The Loop Road in Cades Cove After entering the park from Townsend way, turn right at the Wye and go to Cades Cove. Take the 11-mile Loop Road around the cove. If Roaring Forks is the road less traveled, the Loop Road is rush-hour traffic! If you are in a hurry, do not do this road. It takes a good 3 hours to do it all, and do it properly, and better to devote most of a day here. The loop area is known for wildlife sitings, including black bear, whitetail deer, coyote, pileated woodpecker, wild turkeys, and we have seen them all here at one time or other. There are two gravel roads that you can shorten this loop by taking, Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane. There is a wonderful visitors center at the back, set in with pioneer buildings and a mill. There is a large restroom here and lots of parking. It makes a nice break from the Loop. There are pastures in the middle where you may see the horses, and where deer and turkeys are easy to spot - if there are there. The best times of day to see wildlife are just after dawn and right before dusk. At the end of the loop, turn right to go to the Cades Cove Campground Store to stock up on what you need for your campsite, or to get souvenirs and refreshments. There are several trails leading off the loop. Visit National Park Service Website to read about trails in the park. There are too many for us to mention here. In the summer you will see bull thistle blooming in the cove, with butterflies flitting from flower to flower. You will also find a lot of spring flowers here such as dogwood and hearts-a-busting. Mountain mint grows on Hyatt Lane, and near one of the churches you will find Passion Flower in the summer. There is always something to see here for the patient traveler. And you can see it from your car or on foot or bicycle. The Loop Road is closed to vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 a.m. to give wildlife a break. The Loop Road is open all year, although when icy conditions prevail getting in and out of the cove can be tricky. Always check the National Park Service website when planning a trip.
SUMMER (July) Blackberries for Bears and Other Animals Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove Cades Cove is home to many different types of natural foods such as berries, nuts, grasses, leaves, flowers, insects, hive honey, fungi, small mammals and amphibians, fruits, and plants.
IMPORTANT PARK PLANS:
Click here to read about progress in the Cades Cove Plan - how access to the Cove may change in the future. http://www.cadescoveplanning.com/
Click here to read about progress in the Elkmont Historic District Plan http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=382&projectId=15794
Click here to read about the Proposed North Shore Road http://www.northshoreroad.info/
Click here to read about the Tremont Development Plan http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=382&projectId=16369 DRIVING TOUR: Clingman's Dome Road This is a must-see 7-mile paved road. This road turns off past Newfoundland Gap on the trans-mountain highway going toward Cherokee from Gatlinburg. It takes you to Clingman's Dome, a very high vantage from which you can see forever if you climb to the top of the tower. For the less-than-physical traveler, drive this road slowly and enjoy the scenery. In the spring, you will find fringed phacelia growing like a white carpet on the right side of the road in a couple of areas. On the left, heading toward the dome, will be a barely noticeable trail marker for "Spruce-Fir Nature Trail." This is a very different type of trail for this park, owing to its higher elevation, and it is an easy trail. It winds through a spruce and fir forest. There are huge boulders of milky white quartz here. There is moss, and wild hydrangea, and a couple of different kinds of trillium, and also yellow beaded lily growing in profusion. This trail is very quiet. You can experience sudden changing weather up here though; you may begin your walk in sunshine only to find a cloud of dense fog rolling in as you begin your trek back to the road. You may be in a sudden shower before you know it. There are some muddy spots on this trail, but you can easily hop from root to rock to avoid the wet spots. There are a lot of little birds living in there, and when you are still, they begin to hop around and talk to each other. We have seen groundhogs along the side of the Dome Road too, but they have an aversion to having their picture taken. They always disappear into their holes just when you try to lift the camera to get a shot. Further up on the left before you get to the dome paved trail will be a huge parking lot and a view of the dying fir trees that were wiped out by an insect name the wooly adelgid. Clingman's Dome, on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line is over 6,600 feet and is the highest place in this park and in Tennessee. In fact, it is the highest spot on the Appalachian Trail. This road is closed to vehicles December - April due to icy conditions, but can be hiked or cycled if you are brave and sturdy. Clingman's Dome Road usually re-opens to vehicles around April 1. These are only a few places to explore in this beautiful park. We will be updating this section of the website periodically so check back often! CAMPING Where can I go camping in this Park? There are many campsites here. Most range in elevation from 1100 feet to 2600 feet, although Balsam Mountain Campground is at 5300 feet. The Cades Cove Campground features a Ranger Station, Ampitheatre, Bicycle Rental, Horseback Riding Stables, Campground Store, many Nature Trails, Pioneer Cabins and Churches, and an 11-mile paved one-way Loop Road. The Store sells souvenirs, DVDs, foods including hot dogs, soft serve ice cream, snacks, beverages, and assorted sundries. Frontcountry campsites for 2009 for most families are: Cades Cove - 159 sites, open all year, $17-20, up to 40 feet RV Elkmont - 220 sites, Mar. 7-Nov. 30, $17-23, trailers 32 feet, motor homes 35 feet Smokemont - 142 sites, Mar. 7-Dec. 31, $17-20, trailers 35 feet, motor homes 40 feet Look Rock - 68 sites, May 9-Oct. 31, $14, no size limit Abrams Creek -16 sites, Mar. 7-Oct. 31, $14, up to 12 feet RV Balsam Mountain - 46 sites, May 9-Oct. 14, $14, up to 30 feet RV Cataloochee - 27 sites, Mar. 7-Oct. 31, $17, up to 31 feet RV Deep Creek -92 sites, Apr. 1-Oct. 31, $17, up to 26 feet RV Big Creek -12 sites, Mar. 7-Oct. 31, $12, no RVs Cosby -165 sites, Mar. 7-Oct. 31, $14, up to 25 feet RV
You can make a reservation at Cades Cove, Smokemont, and Elkmont only for the period May 15 through October 31; sites can be reserved up to 5 months in advance. All frontcountry campsites have running cold water, toilets that flush, picnic tables, and fire grates for cooking; however, there are no showers. There are also seven areas for group camping, tents only, (no RVs or trailers) for 8 or more people in one group, reservations only. Check with the Park Service at www.nps.gov/grsm/campingandother for information and phone numbers (1-800-365-2267). Backcountry campsites are for backpackers only. Free backcountry permits are required as well as reservations for the shelters and 14 of the tent areas. For backcountry reservations call (865) 436-1231. For questions about backcountry camping (not reservations) call (865) 436-1297.
Click on the Ranger Hat for more information!
Support Great Smoky Mountains National Park by joining: "Great Smoky Mountains Association" www.smokiesstore.org "Friends of the Smokies" www.friendsofthesmokies.org "Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont" www.gsmit.org Click here for maps of this park http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/maps.htm
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK VISITING TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE - Close to Cades Cove Check out these places in Townsend on the main highway when you visit: > Motels: Econolodge, Tally-Ho Inn, Highland Manor > Cabins: Townsend View Cabins http://www.townsendviewcabinrentals.com/ > Bed and Breakfast Inn: Dancing Bear Lodge (formerly Maple Leaf Lodge) > Camping: Little River Village Campground, Tuckaleechee Campground, Big Meadow Family Campground > Musical Instruments and Back Porch Concerts: Wood 'N' Strings Dulcimer Shop > Food: The Carriage House Restaurant (make reservations for their Thanksgiving Buffet), The Back Porch Restaurant, Timbers Restaurant, Heath and Kettle Restaurant, Little River Village Campground Store/Cafe, the Village Market (at BP gas station) > Coffee and Smoothies: A.J.'s Coffee House (at the Village Market complex) > Smoky Mountain Books, Calendars, DVDs: Townsend Visitors Center for GSMNP > Natural Attractions: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tuckaleechee Caverns > Museum: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center > Fishing Gear: Little River Outfitters > Woodcarvers and Craftsmen: Nauger Nob Complex > Quilts, Fudge, and Gifts: Apple Valley Farm > Framed Wildlife Prints and other Smoky Mountain Collectibles: Dogwood Mall
TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE - Where to find CoveBear DVDs
> Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center - see their Native American artifacts and pioneer cabin! > Wood 'N' Strings Dulcimer Shop - a must see and hear, check out their nighttime back porch concerts in summer! http://www.clemmerdulcimer.com/ > Carriage House Restaurant - usually closed in the winter, great Sunday Buffet the rest of the year - ask for bear DVDs! > Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Center at Townsend - lots of info about the Smokies! - ask for bear DVDs!
VISITING GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE - Close to Roaring Forks and Sugarlands Check out these places in Gatlinburg when you visit: > Motels: Clarion Hotel, Bearskin Lodge on the River, Auntie Belham's Cabins > Nature Stores: The Rock Shop, The Happy Hiker, Aquarium of the Smokies > Gifts: The Maples Tree, The Woodcarvers, . . . and tons more! > "The Village Shops" Outdoor Mall including: The Honey Pot, The Happy Hiker, Simply Animals, The Donut Friar, Decorium, Jordan's Village Creamery, Desserts & More Cafe, U Name It, The Hayloft, The Silver Tree, Christalix, The Christmas Tree, Taylor Girls, Candle Cottage, Life According to Jake, The Lamplight Gallery, Hills Creek Collection, Another Me Clothier, Thomas Kinkade Gallery, Smoky Mountain Babies, Verbenas, Cartoons & Toys, Celtic Heritage, Coffee & Company, The Cheese Cupboard, and The Hofbrauhaus Restaurant > "Mountain Mall" Indoor Shopping including: Black Bear Tea Company, Aunt Mahalia's Candy, Big Dog Sportswear, Pepper Palace, Book Warehouse, J's Leather, Bearskin Craft Shop, Lavi's Jewelry, Paws and Claws Pet Fashion, Old Castle Toy Company, New York Pizza > "Calhoun's Village" Outdoor Shopping Mall including: many gift shops behind the restaurant > "Baskins Square Mall" Outdoor Shopping Mall including: Guinness World Records Museums, Mountain Woodcarvers, Little Sparrow Gallery, Scents of Gatlinburg, Terri Waters Gallery, and more > Pottery: Alewine Pottery on Glades Road in the Arts and Crafts Community > Lamps: Smoky Mountain Illuminations on Powermill Road in the Arts and Crafts Community > Food: Calhoun's, The Lamplighter Inn, The Peddler, Texas Roadhouse, Bubba Gump
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