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.
Park invites visitors to “We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga” Storybook Trail beginning Saturday, October 8
October 3, 2022 | 4:08 pm
Cherokee, NC - Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites visitors to experience the “We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga” Storybook Trail on Saturday, October 8 through Friday, November 4 on the Oconaluftee River Trail near Cherokee, NC. This unique opportunity allows visitors of all ages to learn about Cherokee culture through dual language, storybook panels.
Temporary closures on Spur and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on Thursday, September 29
September 28, 2022 | 11:33 am
Park maintenance crews will implement a temporary, single-lane closure on the northbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on Thursday, September 29 to complete routine maintenance operations started earlier this month. The single-lane closure will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Park crews will also temporarily close Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on Thursday, September 29 until 9:00 a.m.
National Public Lands Day event promotes stewardship and health
September 26, 2022 | 1:39 pm
On Saturday, September 24, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams traveled to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to commemorate National Public Lands Day (NPLD) by thanking volunteers for their stewardship in America’s most visited National Park. Rear Admiral Denise Hinton, U.S. Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed; National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) President and CEO Meri-Margaret Deoudes; and Superintendent Cassius Cash also provided remarks at the kickoff event that highlighted the significance of our public lands for the health and wellbeing of visitors.
Public invited to watch artists paint across the park Sept. 26-30
September 23, 2022 | 10:57 am
Park invites the public to watch 20 nationally acclaimed artists paint “en plein air” (in open air) style across the park beginning Monday, September 26 through Friday, September 30.
Park invites public to National Public Lands Day volunteer kickoff event
September 15, 2022 | 3:20 pm
Park invites the public to join Superintendent Cassius Cash for a National Public Lands Day (NPLD) kickoff event on Saturday, September 24 at 9:00 a.m. at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Park staff and volunteers will lead half-day and full-day service opportunities for people of all ages in celebration of the 29th National Public Lands Day.
Newfound Gap Road trike motorcycle fatality
September 10, 2022 | 2:45 pm
Park rangers responded to a trike motorcycle accident on Newfound Gap Road approximately 9 miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Friday, September 9, at approximately 11:04 a.m. Lyle Tidwell, age 85, of Cleveland, TX, lost control of his trike motorcycle near the roadway loop between Chimney Tops Trailhead and Alum Cave Trailhead. He veered across the center line and hit an oncoming vehicle.
Upcoming Single-Lane Closures on the Spur, September 12th through 22nd
September 8, 2022 | 6:17 pm
Park maintenance crews will implement temporary, single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, beginning Monday, September 12 through Thursday, September 22 for routine maintenance operations. The single-lane closures will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday each week.
Park hosts Medal of Honor recipients in Cades Cove
September 8, 2022 | 6:13 pm
Park welcomed Medal of Honor Recipients and their families to Cades Cove on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Park staff and volunteers provided a guided tour for the delegation of approximately 60 participants to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove along with special programs.
Park celebrates successes of Smokies Most Wanted initiative
September 7, 2022 | 10:15 am
Park is celebrating the success of a community science project led by nonprofit partner Discover Life in America (DLiA) called Smokies Most Wanted. The initiative encourages visitors to record life they find in the park through the iNaturalist nature app. DLiA and the park use these data points to map species’ ranges, track exotic species, and even discover new kinds of life in the park.
Park announces upcoming morning closures of Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove Loop Roads
August 19, 2022 | 12:35 pm
Park officials announced two morning closures of Clingmans Dome Road on Friday, August 26 and Wednesday, September 7 until 1:00 p.m. each day. The seven-mile roadway will be closed on both mornings to facilitate a special curriculum-based education program. On Thursday, September 8, Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed until 3:30 p.m. to accommodate an additional education program.