Word from the Smokies: The chickens of Oconaluftee
Who’s in charge of the chickens at the Mountain Farm Museum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? According to the National Park Service, it’s Interpretive Park Ranger Michael Smith. But the chickens themselves recognize the authority of the large, golden rooster that struts among them — the unchallenged leader of the Oconaluftee flock.
National park announces camping fee changes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has transitioned its backcountry permit reservation system to Recreation.gov. This transition will improve reliability, security and customer support for backcountry users.
Visitors with existing reservations do not need to do anything — the park will honor all permits issued before the switch.
Vehicle-free days begin in Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer Cades Cove cehicle-free days every Wednesday from May 6 to Sept. 30. These designated days give pedestrians and cyclists an opportunity to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles.
National park urges visitors to plan and prepare
The National Park Service urge visitors to plan ahead, prepare for changing conditions and know their personal limits while recreating in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park rangers have been responding to an increased number of emergencies and are reminding visitors that rescue is not a certainty.
Rehab of Bullhead Trail to LeConte continues
Beginning May 4, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through Nov. 19. During this time, the park will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays.
The Joyful Botanist: Oh Phacelia, You’re Breaking My Heart
A trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful, often nervous drive, as hundreds of thousands of tourists visit every year, and most do not know how to drive in the mountains. This is especially true trying to navigate winding mountain roads while looking at all of the long-range views.
Milestone moment for Mountains-to-Sea Trail
At the foot of the Kuwohi Observation Tower at the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail unveiled a new stone marker for the trail’s western terminus.
The unveiling marks a milestone moment for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a 1,175-mile footpath that crosses North Carolina from the Tennessee state line at Kuwohi to the Atlantic Ocean at Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks.
Smokies begins adaptive programming
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin its 2026 season of adaptive programming this spring with ranger-led experiences designed for visitors with limited mobility and their families.
This year’s lineup includes hiking, biking, fly fishing and one overnight backcountry camping trip:
Word from the Smokies: Returning writers anticipate ‘open doors’ at Tremont
Crystal Wilkinson has always known she was a writer. But it wasn’t until well into adulthood that she realized she could make a living at it.
“I was always writing,” she said, “and at some point I remember saying to myself, ‘Well, the literal definition of being published is ‘to be made public.’ So what does that mean?’”
Haywood Waterways hosts Big Creek hike
Haywood Waterways Association will lead a hike to Mouse Falls in the Big Creek Watershed of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sunday, April 12.
The event is free for members and a $5 donation for nonmembers. Haywood Waterways memberships start at $25.
