Great Smoky Mountains National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Great Smoky Mountains National Park - News section for more.
Missing hiker Ann Houghton found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
February 2, 2025 | 5:22 pm
Missing hiker Ann Houghton, age 73, was found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on February 2 at approximately 1:53 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park searching for overdue hiker
February 2, 2025 | 11:22 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently searching for overdue hiker Ann Houghton in the area of Smokemont Campground. Law enforcement and search and rescue personnel are focusing efforts along Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge and Enloe Creek trails. Houghton is described as a 73-year-old female with gray hair, approximately 105 pounds and 5 feet and 6 inches tall. Her planned itinerary was to hike in the park starting on Jan. 28 until Jan. 29. Her vehicle was found at the Smokemont Campground. Houghton was reported missing on Feb. 1.
Prescribed burns planned for Cades Cove starting Feb. 3
January 31, 2025 | 5:25 pm
The National Park Service (NPS) plans to burn approximately 1,400 acres of fields in the eastern half of Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Weather permitting, burn operations may begin as early as Feb. 3 and may continue through Feb. 5. These seasonal prescribed fires help to safely reduce fuels, restore meadow habitats and maintain the historic landscape of Cades Cove.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park seeks help in identifying historic homesites
January 17, 2025 | 9:14 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking help to identify and document former homesite locations within the park. Volunteer-In-Park Frank March, in conjunction with Park Archeologist Allison Harvey, is leading these research efforts which includes documenting field locations with associated historic records.
National Park Service to remove hazard trees in Cades Cove beginning Jan. 20
January 13, 2025 | 10:32 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remove hazard trees in Cades Cove on Jan. 20-Jan. 24. This includes removing brush from the side of the road to keep vegetation from hitting passing vehicles and removing all hazard trees that could fall onto the road.
National Park Service to begin major rehabilitation of Laurel Falls Trail in January
December 17, 2024 | 9:30 am
The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, 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 trail and parking areas.
National Park Service plans to complete additional design work and technical studies for Foothills Parkway Section 8D
December 9, 2024 | 11:57 am
The National Park Service (NPS) will conduct additional design work and technical studies for Foothills Parkway Section 8D. This decision was based on feedback from subject matter experts and public comments received during a 30-day public comment which ended on August 21.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park to rehabilitate Cosby Entrance Road
November 26, 2024 | 9:14 am
On December 9, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin a rehabilitation of the 2.3-mile-long Cosby Entrance Road from TN State Route 32 to the gate of Cosby Campground.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park completes three-year restoration of Ramsey Cascades Trail
November 18, 2024 | 12:22 pm
In collaboration with Friends of the Smokies, the National Park Service (NPS) has a completed a three-year restoration of the Ramsey Cascades Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the Greenbrier area, this popular trail ascends through beautiful hardwood forests to the 105-foot Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park. The trail is now open seven days a week following an extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Hazard tree mitigation work to begin November 18
November 15, 2024 | 1:21 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will complete annual hazard tree mitigation along several park roads starting next week. This routine work includes the removal of hazardous branches and limbs before the winter season. Some road and lane closures will be in place for crew and driver safety.