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COMPLIMENTARY 3.952019/2020YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKSGREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINSNATIONAL PARKACTIVITIES SIGHTSEEING DINING LODGINGTRAILS HISTORY MAPS MOREOFFICIALPA R T N E R S
P L A N Y O U R V ISITWELCOMET:8.375” 2019 Preferred Brands International. All rights reserved.Blanketed in lush forests and shroudedby mist, the Great Smok y Mountainsbeckon visitors to explore the mysteries ofits ancient landscape. Walk in the woodsand stand beneath towering hemlocks.Feel the cool spray of a waterfall splashingagainst moss-covered boulders. Gaze upona landscape of gentle blue ridges stretching to the horizon.The Cherokee described these mountains as shaconage , meaning “blue, likesmoke.” The bluish mist, which clingsto the mountainsides and fills the valleys, gives the park its name and remainsamong its most distinctive features.Among the oldest mountains in theworld, the Smokies teem with a wondrousdiversity of life. More than 17,000 species ofplants and animals have been documentedin the park! Punctuating this phenomenalbiodiversity is one of the nation’s largestcollections of historic log buildings. Thehomes, schools, mills and churches of themountain people are preserved here foryou to discover and enjoy. Experience oneof America’s greatest wilderness areas anddiscover the heritage of natural and culturaldiversity it preserves for all time.S:7.375”SO TASTY EVERYONE WILL WANT A BITE.PHOTOOP!TASTY BITE is all-naturaland perfect for the trail. Lookfor the yellow pouch in theinternational food aisle.*tastybite.com*Keep wildlife wild;Don’t feed the animals.Send us your stories and photos andyou could be a part of our guide!Be a part of the Oh,Ranger! world!FUNFACTSEstablished: The park was created in1934 to protect the last of the southernAppalachian forest, which once coveredmore than 4 million acres, but was virtually eliminated by logging and fire.Land Area: The park is 522,427 acres.Number of Visitors: More than 11 million people visit annually—the highestvisitation of any national park.Lowest and Highest Elevations: Thelowest elevation in the park is 870 feetat the mouth of Abrams Creek and thehighest is 6,643 feet at the summit ofClingmans Dome.Plant and Animal Species: The park’sabundance and variety of plant andanimal life have earned it the U.N.designations of International BiosphereReserve and World Heritage Site. Scientists estimate up to 50,000 differenttypes of plants and animals live in GreatSmoky Mountains National Park. WhenDiscover Life in America was foundedin 1998, fewer than 10,000 had beenidentified; however, researchers haveadded more than 18,500 new speciesto the park, including 1,000 that werepreviously unknown!Sights: Some of the more popularsights include Clingmans Dome, MountLeConte, the sheer rock pinnacles ofChimney Tops, the 100-foot waterfallRamsey Cascades, and the scenic andhistoric sites at Cataloochee Valley, Cades Cove and Oconaluftee.Hiking and Horseback Riding:Approximately 800 miles of horse andhiking trails crisscross the park.Camping: The park has 1,000 developed campsites and 100 primitive sites. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS1
CONTENTSUnforgettable Adventures.American Park Network publishes OhRanger.com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder and Oh, Ranger! guides —a collection of visitor guides for publiclands all across America — and operates Oh,Ranger! Wi-Fi in parks and public lands. AmericanPark Network is an official partner of the NationalForest Foundation, National Parks ConservationAssociation, National Fish and WildlifeFoundation, American Hiking Society and theStudent Conservation Association.Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefMARK J. SAFERSTEINAssociate Publisher & Executive EditorJoel S. SafersteinGroup Sales & Partnerships DirectorAlex FrenkelEDITORIAL / PRODUCTIONEditors: Monette A. Bailey, Daniel Johnson,Jacqueline Kehoe, Amanda McConnon,Julie McCool, Danielle Taylor, Wendy WillisProofreader: Scot t TaborProduction Manager: Mario ArceGraphic Designers: Karla Aldana, Dennisse Cruz,Tatiana Hurtado, Yamileth RecinosDIGITALTechnology Manager: Scott FalconerADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING(212) 581-3 380Feel-Good Savings.Heed the call of adventure with great insurance coverage.15 minutes could save you 15% or more on RV insurance.adsales@americanparknetwork.comBusiness Development: Randy Burton, Mary PatKaleth, Pat Keane, Craig King, Kristi RummelOperations Manager: Matthew PriceAmerican Park Network41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003@OhRanger 2019 APN MEDIA, LLC · All Rights ReservedOh, Ranger! and American Park Networkare registered trademarks of APN Media, LLC.Welcome1What’s New!4Plan Your Visit6Park Regulations & Safety14Who’s Who at the Park16Preservation17History & Culture18Sights To See21Centerfold MapGatlinburg, TN25Cherokee, NC29Lodging & Dining31Things To Do33Walking & Hiking38Camping40Just for Kids41Nature & Wildlife43Photography46If You Only Have One Day48Cover Photo: Sunset over the Smokies.(iStock)GET THE APP!geico.com 1-877-434-2678 Local OfficeThe publisher of this guide and the advertisers herein are notaffiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Park Service.FOR MORE INFORMATIONSome discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, orin all situations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. 2019 GEICODistribution requestsdistribution@americanparknetwork.comOh, Ranger! Wi-Fi omIT’S FREE! DOWNLOAD NOWFor answers to all yourquestions, go to OhRanger.com
P L A N YOUR VI S I TWHAT’S NEW!WE’RE ALL CONNECTEDAs a young man, John Muir, the naturalistknown as, “Father of the National Parks,”had an accident that left him temporarilyblinded. It changed his life forever. When heregained his sight, he emerged into the lightever-determined to pursue his dreams ofexploration. Fortunately for the world, Muir’strials led him to help move Congress to setaside Yosemite, one of his many contributionsto our nation’s preservation movement.When faced with adversity, we have buttwo choices. We can either rise above ourcircumstance or succumb to our demons ofdoubt, fear, resentment and apathy. WhileMuir was lucky to have his sight return, hissubsequent efforts drew strength from hope,compassion, kindness and love to rise upfrom personal adversity.Lately, it feels like we’re all dealing withtoo many hurdles. Every hour, “breaking”news spews forth accounts of tragedy anddivisiveness. It was with this backdrop that Iwas preparing to teach a restorative yoga class,to create a safe environment for my studentsand provide an hour’s worth of peace and quietto carry out into the world. What theme wouldcapture their imagination and neatly underscoreour human need for connectedness?When teaching, I try to use examples thatmarry ancient tradition with contemporaryMark, Joel & Alex – connecting in parks!science. I often find inspiration in parks. In itstraditional form, yoga was about joining withthe collective universe. So, too, is Muir’s quote,best illustrated by an example from Yellowstone.When wolves were reintroduced there after a70-year absence, the rampant elk populationcould no longer leisurely nibble on willows, grazein open meadows or congregate by the rivers. Ina short period of time, the forests and meadowsbegan to regenerate. Song birds appeared.Beavers flourished, building dams, whichcreated habitats for otters, muskrats and ducks.Cooler waters, shaded by more trees, attracteddifferent species of amphibians and fish. Treeroots stabilized the river banks, diminishederosion and even changed the geography of thepark! Indeed, pick out anything by itself and wequickly find that everything is connected.Now is the time to seek out connection—whether in a park, a yoga studio or anywhereyou find inspiration—to find strength to rise upand overcome the obstacles that face us all GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS!Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture orare awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, orif you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsorrevenues, please let us know at wifi@americanparknetwork.com.4GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ADSOMEWHEREBETWEENSTUNNINGand SURREALV I S I T U TA H . C O M
P L A N YOUR VI S I TPLAN YOURYOUR VISITVISITGETTING TO GREATSMOKY MOUNTAINSThe beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway runsfrom Shenandoah National Park in Virginiato the southern entrance of Great SmokyMountains National Park. U.S. 441, knownin the park as Newfound Gap Road, is ahigh mountain road that cuts across theridge near the center of the park, providingoutstanding scenic views.Car: From the north, take I - 40 fromKnoxville, Tennessee (about 25 milesaway), to TN 66 at exit 407, then U.S.4 41 South to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.Drive two miles south on U.S. 441 to ParkHeadquarters and Sugarlands Visitor Center. Traffic along these U.S. highways isoften choked with holiday and weekendtravelers, causing delays of one or morehours. Consider using U.S. 321 from I-40at exits 435 or 440 in Newport to avoidthis congestion.From the south, take U.S. 441 North toCherokee, North Carolina, then drive twomiles north on U.S. 441 to OconalufteeVisitor Center.From the west, take U.S. 129 Southto Maryville, Tennessee, then take U.S.321 North to Townsend, Tennessee, andthen on to the park’s west entrance. Drivewest about seven miles through the parkto Cades Cove.From the east, take I- 40 West fromAsheville, North Carolina (about 40 milesaway), to U.S. 19, then U.S. 441 to thepark’s southern entrance near Cherokee,North Carolina. Or, you may take the Foothills Parkway from I-40 at exit 443, thenU.S. 321 into Gatlinburg and the Park Headquarters and Sugarlands Visitor Center.6GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS KY Nashville8140TENNESSEEAL7540Knoxville 75INSET 81129 441Maryville321Townsend75 129SEE INSET 2619SC ColumbiaAtlanta Gatlinburg40NORTHCAROLINAGA40Great Smoky Mtns.National Park19VA75TNNCAsheville Cherokee 4026441Air: McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS), thenearest major airport to the park, is located45 miles west of Gatlinburg, betweenKnoxville and Alcoa, Tennessee. The Asheville Airport is south of Asheville, NorthCarolina, and about 60 miles east of thepark. The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Aviation Center (GKT) is located 12 miles northof the park in Sevierville, Tennessee andserves private aircraft.Bus: There is no public bus serviceto the park. However, Rocky Top Toursin Gatlinburg provides bus tours of thepark and operates shuttle service fromMcGhee-Tyson and Sevierville Airports toGatlinburg.Train: Amtrak service is not availableto the area. The nearest rail station is 115miles southeast in Greenville, S.C.GETTING AROUND THE PARKTravel through the park by automobile, bybicycle or on foot. The city of Gatlinburg’strolley service operates a daily shuttle ,June through October, to three popular locations in the park. The service runs betweenCHONDOLA RIDE TREE CANOPY WALK ZIPLINESRAIL RUNNER MOUNTAIN COASTERTREE HOUSE VILLAGE PLAYGROUND & GEM MININGMEMORIAL FOREST & VISTA GARDEN WALKSSMOKEHOUSE BBQ CLIFF TOP GRILL & BARQUAINT SHOPS & SCENIC VIEWS GALORE576 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN865-325-2400 ANAKEESTA.com
P L A N YOUR VI S I TPACKING ESSENTIALSDon’t hit the trail without: Topographic map & compass GPS Whistle Flashlight or headlamp Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat High-energy food & plenty of water Appropriate clothing & extra layers Waterproof matches Insect repellentelevations in the park are cooler. Latespring and early fall bring mild days andcool nights, with temperatures in thelow 70s during the day and mid- 40s atnight. Summers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are warm and humid.At lower elevations, high temperaturesrange from 55 to 90ºF. At higher elevations, high temperatures are in the low50s to the mid- 60s. Winter is often cold,dropping below zero at higher elevations,and occasionally snowy.“This experience haschanged me forever.” Pocket knife First-aid kitPARK VISITOR CENTERS Sturdy footwearThree year-round visitor centers andone seasonal visitor contact station arelocated within the national park. At thet wo main visitor centers, Sugarlandsand Oconaluftee, park rangers are onhand to answer questions and provideinformation on roads, weather, camping,backcountr y conditions, backcountr ycamping permits and first aid. Rangerg u i d e d w a lk s , m a p s a n d b o o k s a reavailable at all visitor centers. The Sugarlands, Oconaluftee and Cades Covevisitor centers are all open year-round.The Clingmans Dome contact station isopen April to November. For more in formation, please call the park ’s mainphone number, (865) 436-1200.Sugarlands Visitor Center is locatednear the park’s main northern entrance,t wo miles south of Gatlinburg alongNewfound Gap Road (U.S. 441). This remodeled center offers a free 20 -minuteorientation film that provides an in-depthlook at the Smokies and the many recreation opportunities available. Naturalhistory exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations oftheir habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists. -downtown Gatlinburg and Sugarlands VisitorCenter, Laurel Falls Trail and Elkmont Campground at minimal cost to the rider. For moreinformation, please call (800) 588-1817 orvisit gatlinburgtrolley.org.HOURS AND ENTRANCE FEESThe park is open daily, year- round.Entrance to the park is free!PARK ROADSNewfound Gap and other roads sometimes close due to winter storms. Clingmans Dome Road is closed in winter.For updated road and weather information, please call (865) 436-1200. Once youhear a voice, dial ext. 631 for road information or ext. 630 for a weather forecast.Current road conditions are also available atTwitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS.WEATHERAlways be prepared for changes inweather by dressing in layers and carr ying rain gear. Rain falls frequentlythroughout the year; March and Julyare usually the wettest months. Higher8GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ADConserving Lands. Transforming Lives.Serve, support, learn more atTHESCA.ORG
P L A N YOUR VI S I TOconaluftee Visitor Center is locatedat the park’s main southern entrance, twomiles north of Cherokee on Newfound GapRoad (U.S. 441). This state-of-the-art visitor center provides interactive exhibits anda museum collection of artifacts and storiesthat connect people to the human history ofthe Smokies. Cades Cove Visitor Center is locatedoff U.S. 321, about 12 miles southwestof Townsend, Tennessee. The visitorcenter, which is situated among numerous preserved 19th- century farms andhistoric buildings, emphasizes the cultural histor y of the Smokies. A books to re a n d i nfo r m a t i o n o n p ro g r a m sand services are provided. There is notelephone service.From April to November, the visitorcontact station at the Clingmans Dometrailhead offers park information, a bookstore and shop and public restrooms. -TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERSSeveral tourism information centersoutside the park provide national park information in partnership with the NationalPark Service and feature Great SmokyMountains Association-managed bookstores. The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is on U.S. 441, better known as “TheSpur,” at the entrance to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Aquarium WelcomeCenter is located in downtown Gatlinburgat traffic light #5. Park information is alsoavailable at the Sevierville Visitor Center,located at 3099 Winfield Dunn Parkwayin Kodak, Tennessee, and the TownsendVisitor Center, located at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend,Tennessee.SPECIAL SERVICES Park activities and facilities that are fullyaccessible to visitors with disabilities areIMPORTANT NUMBERSPark Headquarters and General InformationEmergenciesnps.gov/grsm or (865) 436-1200911 or (865) 436-1230Backcountry Reservations(865) 436-1297Special Services -(865) 436-1200Lost and Found(865) 436-1216Road/Weather Conditions(865) 436-1200In-Park Lodging with DiningLeConte Lodge(865) 429-5704Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau(865) 436-4178Cherokee Indian Reservation Visitor Center(800) 438-1601Sightseeing Tours/Rocky Top Tours(865) 429-868710 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Cherokee is a sovereign nation with its own beliefs, art, and over eleventhousand years of culture to explore. You’d better make yourstay overnight. Legendary vacations start right here:VisitCherokeeNC.com 800.438.1601VisitCherokeeNC.comVisitCherokeeNC.com
P L A N YOUR VI S I Tindicated throughout the guide by the- symbol.Services: The park film is equipped foruse by the vision and hearing impaired.Please inquire at the front desk for an assisted listening device before entering thetheater. Inquire at visitor centers or rangerstations for parking permits for visitorswith disabilities.Facilities: The Oconaluftee, Sugarlandsand Cades Cove visitor centers are wheelchair-accessible and have restrooms thatare wheelchair-accessible. Additional accessible restrooms and picnic sites are located at the Chimney Tops, Cosby, MetcalfBottoms, Big Creek, Cades Cove, DeepCreek and Collins Creek picnic areas.Cades Cove, Elkmont and Smokemontcampgrounds are wheelchair-accessible.Reservations for these sites can be madeby calling (877) 444-6777. Level sites—available first come, first-served—are located adjacent to accessible restrooms.There are accessible campsites at BigCreek, Cosby and Deep Creek. The BigP L A N Y O U R V ISITCreek Horse Camp and the group campsat Deep Creek and Cataloochee are alsoaccessible.Tr a i l s : W a l k s n e a r C a d e s C o v e ,Oconaluftee and Sugarlands visitor centers are best suited for wheelchairs.Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is spe c i f i c a l l y d e s i g n e d to a c c o m m o d a tevisitors with disabilities. For more in for m ation, see the “ Walk ing & Hiking” chapter, inquire at visitor centers,call (865) 436-1200, or consult AccessAmerica Guide to the Eastern NationalParks, available at bookstores.VISITOR SERVICESBanking Services: Banks in the gateway cities of Gatlinburg, Townsend andCherokee have 24 -hour ATMs, foreigncurrency exchange (except Gatlinburg)and other services.FEDERAL RECREATION LANDS PASSESA federal recreation pass is helpful if you plan to visit many national parks, forests or otherfederal lands. For information, call (888) 275-8747 or visit alPass 80 20General PublicSeniors age 62 This one-year pass is available on site, byphone or online (see above).SeniorPass 80U.S. residents age 62 This lifetime pass is available on siteor via mail order. ID required.MilitaryPassFreeActive U.S. military members anddependentsThis one-year pass is available on site.ID (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173) required.AccessPassFreeU.S. residents with permanent disabilitiesThis lifetime pass is available on site or viamail order. ID and documentation required.VolunteerPassFree250 cumulativevolunteer service hoursInquire locally to obtain information about this one-year pass.12 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Camping and Picnic Supplies: Limited picnic and camping supplies areavailable at Cades Cove and Elkmontcampgrounds. You will find a complete selection at numerous stores in the gatewaycommunities near the park.Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:There are electric vehicle charging stations at the Sugarlands and OconalufteeVisitor Centers.Emergencies: In case of an emergency, please call 911. For emergencymessages, please contact the park communications office at (865) 436-1230. Thenames of people with emergency messages waiting for them are posted at visitor centers or campgrounds.Gift Shops: Postcards, publications,DVDs and CDs are sold at visitor centers.Many shops selling a variety of gifts, including native crafts, are found in gatewaycommunities.Ke nn e l s: T he nearest kennelsare in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Se vier ville, Tennessee; and Cherokee,North Carolina.Lost and Found: Report lost items andturn in found items at visitor centers orcontact Park Headquarters, Great SmokyMountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738;(865) 436-1216.M e d i c al Se r vi c e s: First- aid facili ties are available at Park Headquartersand visitor centers. Medical emergencyser vices are available at the follow ing locations: LeConte Medical Center,(865) 446-7000, located on Middle CreekRoad in Sevierville, Tennessee, 15 milesnorth of Gatlinburg; Blount Memorial Hospital, (865) 983-7211, on Highway 321 inMaryville, Tennessee, 25 miles north ofCades Cove; and Swain County Hospital,(828) 488-2155, in Bryson City, North Carolina, 10 miles southeast of OconalufteeVisitor Center.Postal Services: Park visitor centershave mailboxes, but do not sell postagestamps. Post offices are found in gatewaycommunities.Religious Services: In the summer,A Christian Ministry in the National Parkss p o n s o r s n o n d e n o m i n at i o n a l C hr i s tian worship ser vices on Sundays atseveral locations.Service Stations: Gas, diesel fuel andrepair services are available in Gatlinburgat the park’s main northern entrance, inTownsend, Tennessee, and at the park’smain southern entrance in Cherokee,North Carolina. If your car breaks down onthe road, contact a park ranger or call thepark’s dispatch at (865) 436-1230.MORE INFORMATIONPARK NEWSPAPERT he award - w inning quar terl y p arknewspaper, Smokies Guide , offers current information about National Park Service naturalist walks, programs and otheractivities. It is available at park visitor centers and campgrounds.BOOKS AND MAPSGreat Smoky Mountains Associationsells park-related literature at visitor centers in the park and at some welcomecenters outside the park. Hiking maps,USGS topographical maps, guides, booksand other items are available. To order materials, visit smokiesinformation.org orcall (888) 898-9102. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS13
PARK REGULATIONS& SAFETYYou can make the most of your visit tothe Smokies by planning ahead and becoming acquainted with some simple safety precautions and park rules.PARK SAFETYPlease review and observe the followingtips, which are designed to enhance yoursafety and enjoyment.Feeding the bears is illegal! It makesthem bold and potentially dangerous. Keep aclean camp and deposit garbage in park trashcans or dumpsters.Bears cause significant property damageevery year trying to get food, so be sureto “bearproof” your food, toothpaste andcosmetics. If you are car camping, keepfood stored in the trunk of your car or in astrong food locker. If you must store foodin the passenger compartment, cover it sothat bears can’t see it; they have learned toidentify packaged food. If you are backpacking, suspend your food and food garbage onthe cable system located at all backcountrycampsites. Keep your tent, sleeping bag andother gear clean and free of food odor. Foodstorage regulations are strictly enforced atthe park.If you see a bear or other wildlife,keep your distance. Park regulation prohibits visitors from approaching, disturbingor displacing wildlife. Please keep a minimum distance of 50 yards. Bears may display signs of aggressive behavior such ascharging, making loud noises or swattingthe ground—all indications of the bear demanding more space. If this happens, don’t14 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS run. Instead, slowly back away, alwayswatching the bear. If a bear follows you,change direction or stand your ground. Talkloudly or shout at it and make yourself lookas large as possible to try to intimidate thebear. Never turn your back or run away.To reduce your risk of poison ivy andticks, stay on trails and avoid brushy areas.Wearing a hat, long pants and a long-sleevedshirt helps considerably. If you think you’vebrushed against poison ivy, remove and isolate the clothes you wore until you can washthem. Apply insect repellent to ward off ticks,and check yourself and your clothes for ticksafter hiking. If a tick attaches itself to you,remove it with tweezers and then wash thearea thoroughly with antiseptic or soap andwater. Seek medical attention if part of thetick remains in your skin. Ticks can transmitLyme disease, which is characterized byskin changes, flu-like symptoms and jointinflammation.Be careful when walking aroundstreams and waterfalls. Mist and mossmake rocks and logs extremely slippery. Stayon trails. Don’t drink untreated water, whichmay contain impurities and parasites that canmake you ill.Swimming is not recommended because streams contain submerged rocks,logs and debris, and flash floods may occurwith little or no warning.Don’t leave valuables in your car. Theyare an easy target in a locked or unlocked car.If you must carry these items with you, placethem in your trunk before you park your car.Storms can take you by surprise andtemperatures on the Smokies’ ridges are often much cooler than in the valleys. Dress inlayers and always carry rain gear for comfortP A R K R E G U L A T IO N S & SA FE T Yand to prevent hypothermia. This potentiallyfatal condition occurs when the body losesheat faster than it can generate it.iStockP L A N YOUR VI S I TPARK REGULATIONSHelp protect the park, and yourself, by observing the following NPS regulations:Alcoholic beverages are permitted onlyin designated picnic and camping areas. Possession of open alcoholic beverages in motorvehicles is prohibited.Bicycles, mountain bikes and motorcycles are allowed on paved roads and incampgrounds, but are prohibited on trails andadministrative roads behind locked gates.Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets.Skateboarding is prohibited in the park.Camp in designated areas only. To campovernight in the backcountry, you must obtaina backcountry permit. Permits are availableonline at smokiespermits.nps.gov or by contacting the backcountry office. Permits cost 4 per person per night.Federal law allowspeople who can legally possess firearms under applicable laws to possess firearms in thepark. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state,local and federal firearms laws before enteringthe park. Please visit nps.gov/grsm for moreinformation. Hunting is strictly prohibited.Beginning in March 2015, only heattreated, bundled firewood that displays aUSDA or state Department of Agriculturecertification stamp may be used in parkcampgrounds. It is sold in local communitiesand through concessions at Cades Cove,Elkmont and Smokemont campgrounds.Fires are allowed in established fire rings orfireplaces. Campers may also collect deadand down wood found in the park for camp-Approximately 20 percent of the park’s 2,900miles of streams support trout populations.fires. Cutting trees or branches for firewoodis strictly prohibited.Fireworks are not allowed in the park.Fishing is allowed within the park fromsunrise to sunset. A valid Tennessee or NorthCarolina state fishing license is required andmay be purchased at sporting goods stores ingateway communities and at the GatlinburgWelcome Center at the north entrance totown. Fishing with any natural bait is prohibited, so use single-hook artificial lures. Beforeyou cast any lines, pick up the Great SmokyMountains Fishing Regulations brochure atany visitor center. Check at a ranger station tolearn which stream segments will be closed.Pets must always be leashed. Theyare allowed along paved roads, in parking lots and in campgrounds accessibleto motor vehicles. Pets are not permittedon trails (exceptions: Gatlinburg Trail andOconaluftee River Trail), in public buildingsor in the backcountry. Service animals areallowed throughout the park.Vandalism , or the removal of rocks,plants or any natural feature, is strictly prohibited.Please don’t feed, approach, chase orharass park wildlife. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS15
WHO’S WHO ATTHE PARKP L A N YOUR VI S I TNATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS)The NPS is the federal custodian of thepark. It preserves the Smokies’ natural habitat, which was once heavily farmed andlogged, and maintains the park’s historicman-made features. The NPS also helpsvisitors have a more enjoyable stay in thepark. Contact the superintendent at: GreatSmoky Mountains National Park, 107 ParkHeadquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738;(865) 436-1200, or visit nps.gov/grsm.GATEWAY COMMUNITIESG re a t S m o k y M o u nt a i n s N a t i o n a lP a r k ’s g atew ay c o m mu ni t i e s ofGatlinburg, Cosby, Pigeon Forge andTownsend in Tennessee; and Br ysonC i t y, C h e ro ke e , M a g g i e Va l l e y a n dFontana Dam in Nor th Carolina, offerlodging, dining and other services and attractions. Innkeepers, restaurateurs andmerchants help make your stay in theSmokies comfortable and enjoyable. Formore information about local chambersof commerce, visitor bureaus or departments of tourism, please see the “Lodging & Dining” chapter.FRIENDS OF GREAT SMOKYMOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARKThis nonprofit organization is dedicatedto raising private and corporate contributions to help the park meet some of itscritical funding needs. The goals includeassisting with natural and historic re source projects, and helping to improvevisitor facilities and services. For information or to learn how to become a member, please call (865) 932-4794 or visitfriendsofthesmokies.org.16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINSASSOCIATIONFounded in 1953 and operating bookstores both inside and outside the park,this nonprofit organization producesthe park newspaper and other publi cations, funds staff positions for thepark’s library and archives, sponsors research projects, purchases items for living histor y demonstrations and fundsvisitor center exhibits. For more information, please call (865) 436-7318 or visitsmokiesstore.org.GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINSINSTITUTE AT TREMONTThe Institute is a nonprofit environ mental education center offering resi dential and non - residential programssuch as photography workshops, wil derness adventure camps and citizenscience programs. A ll progr
Oh, Ranger! and American Park Network . from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the southern entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. U.S. 441, known in the park as Newfound Gap Road, is a . The nearest rail st
