Cades Cove Great Smokies

100 years ago today, important steps were taken toward creating Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

While the Smokies weren't officially established until 1934, it was on May 22, 1926, that President Calvin Coolidge signed the bill authorizing its creation.

Whether you come to the Smokies to hike the 848 miles of trails, drive the eight scenic auto tours, discover the 22,000+ documented species, or learn about the region’s rich cultural history, thank you for being part of the Smokies story. Your love for this place helps us protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the next 100 years and beyond.

Visitors heading into bear habitats this season are being urged to give wildlife space.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says bears may be more active during spring and early summer as they search for food and care for cubs, especially near trails and campsites. Officials are encouraging people to stay alert, store food properly, hike responsibly, and avoid approaching bears.

The agency says following bear safety guidance can help reduce stressful encounters and support safer coexistence for both people and wildlife.

Fall color in the Smoky Mountains is an elevation story. The highest points in the park, places like Kuwohi and Newfound Gap, tend to peak first, often in late September or early October above 4,000 feet. From there, color works its way down through the mid-elevation forests and eventually into the lower coves and valley roads closer to Gatlinburg and Cherokee, where peak timing can stretch into early November.

That spread is what makes the Smokies different from flatter regions. A two-week gap between a high ridge and a valley floor means the season keeps moving rather than arriving and leaving all at once. Birch and beech tend to dominate the higher zones, while maples and oaks carry the color lower down.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is scheduled to close from the evening of Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28, so that our tree crew can remove hazardous trees and branches.

For the most up-to-date information on road and trail closures, you can check our website ⬇️
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Just say hi ! So we know you are still active in this group❤️😍

I can't believe I had never heard of this hidden gem. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's so worth it. Numerous beer and cider options with plenty of space for you to sit and for the kids to play. All with an accessible creek with two waterfalls right there. We didn't do the gem mining, but it looked great. You could easily spend hours at Red Jasper Beer Garden & Gem Mine!

Learn to be still

If you plan to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for Memorial Day weekend, you’re not alone, and you’ll need to be prepared for crowds, traffic and limited parking.

What to know: https://www.wate.com/news/smoky-mountains/great-smoky-mountains-2026-memorial-day-tips/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WATE_6_On_Your_Side

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This was several weeks ago. We barely made it through. I had to put my mirrors in and had a person on each side hang out the window to make sure I didnt damage my own! Many of these vehicles we passed had been hit/scraped, one had 3 major gashes in the door! Im sure there were lots of upset people when they returned to their vehicles, but really!? What did you expect parking like this?

Are you and your loved ones planning to visit the Smokies for Memorial Day? We're expecting lots of visitors, so make sure you plan ahead for a safe and fun Smokies weekend:

1.🚗Park only in designated parking spots! Don't park in the grass or on the road (Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed). If a parking lot is full, have a backup plan to explore a different area of the park.
2. ⛰️ Slow down and enjoy the views! Always follow the posted speed limit, and take advantage of roadside pulloffs to allow faster vehicles to pass you. Remember that traveling to popular destinations will probably take more time than normal on busy weekends.
3. 🗺️ Do your research ahead of time! Know what your plans are for the day, and have some backups in mind in case of overcrowding or bad weather. Bring enough food, water, and safety gear. Dress appropriately for your activities, and bring a trail map since you won't have cell service.
4. 🐻 View wildlife from a distance. Stay at least 50 yards away from bears and 25 yards from elk or deer, and never touch or feed any wildlife. Only leave food in locked vehicles with the windows rolled up.
5. 🎟️ Parking is free on Memorial Day, but if you plan on visiting for the whole weekend, you'll need to purchase a tag.

Learn more about how to prepare for the weekend at the link below:
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/plan-ahead-for-safe-memorial-day-weekend-in-the-smokies.htm