Blog

Affordable Family Fun in the Smoky Mountains: Tickets Just $10 with Free Entry for Kids Under 10 Have you been searching for a budget-friendly adventure in the Smoky Mountains that the whole family can enjoy? As someone who’s spent years exploring every corner of this majestic region, I’m thrilled to share one of the area’s […]

Experience the Magic: 7th Annual Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival Returns to Townsend in 2025 There’s something truly magical about watching colorful hot air balloons drift against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains as the summer sun begins to set. As someone who’s explored these mountains for years, I can tell you that

Echoes of the Past: The Little Schoolhouses and Cemeteries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park There’s something hauntingly beautiful about stumbling upon a little old schoolhouse with an adjacent cemetery while hiking through the mist-shrouded valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As someone who’s spent years exploring these ancient mountains, I still get

Trump’s Executive Order Could Raise Fees for International Visitors to National Parks, Including the Smokies Have you ever stood at the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, breathing in that misty mountain air without reaching for your wallet? As someone who’s spent years writing about and exploring these ancient mountains, I’ve always appreciated that

Hidden Gems of the Great Smoky Mountains: Escape the Crowds in America’s Most Visited National Park The numbers are in, and it’s no surprise to those of us who love these misty peaks – Great Smoky Mountains National Park has once again claimed the crown as America’s most visited national park in 2024, welcoming nearly

Cal Raleigh: From Smoky Mountain High to MLB Home Run Leader If you’ve been watching baseball this summer, one name keeps booming through TV speakers with every crack of the bat – Cal Raleigh. The Smoky Mountain High School graduate has been on an absolute tear, leading the Major Leagues with an impressive 38 home

Nightfall Comes Alive: Zoo Knoxville’s New 360-Degree Smoky Mountain Experience As someone who’s spent years exploring and writing about the majesty of the Smoky Mountains, I can tell you there’s something magical about how these ancient hills transform with the seasons. Now, that magic is coming to Zoo Knoxville in an exciting new way that

Smoky Mountain Alert: Newfound Gap Road Rehabilitation Starting July 14 There’s something magical about driving through the winding roads of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mist hanging between the trees, the occasional wildlife sighting, and those breathtaking overlooks that make you pull over just to soak in the view. As someone who’s spent

Join the Elk Rover Volunteer Team at Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 2025 There’s something magical about standing in the misty dawn at Oconaluftee, watching a majestic elk emerge from the fog-laden fields. I’ve spent countless mornings capturing these moments over my years exploring the Smokies, and now there’s an incredible opportunity for you

Elk Encounters on the Rise in Maggie Valley: Safety Tips for Tourists As the summer sun bathes the misty peaks of the Smoky Mountains, Maggie Valley transforms into a wildlife wonderland that draws visitors from across the country. Having spent countless seasons exploring these majestic mountains, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the reintroduction of elk has