One of the things that has become apparent to me since starting this blog about Great Smoky Mountains National Park is my appalling lack of talent when it comes to photography. I’ve started searching through my pictures to add to this site, and realized that I’m from the thumb over the lens school of photography, and using a digital camera makes things only minimally better.

 With this in mind, I’ve started surfing the web for the best images of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the areas surrounding it. Today I came across Tellagalleria.com. Here there are a number of phenomenal pictures of scenes in the park. I especially like this one which gives you an idea of the beauty of the park in winter. I recommend taking some time to look through the pics.  I’ll continue to share sites where I come across great pics that highlight the park, and if you find some or have some you would like to show off, please feel free to share them!

Well, winter is upon us, and with it comes Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s road closures. Many roads have closed already, and there are several more that will be closed by the end of the month.
Balsam Mountain Road, Heintooga Ridge Road, Parson Branch, Rich Mountain, and Roundbottom/Straight Fork have all closed for the winter.Clingmans Dome and Roaring Fork will be closed as of November 30^th. All these roads will reopen again in the spring.

To keep track of temporary road closures, either due to weather or road work, check out the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service’s road and facilities closures or call (865) 436-1200.  

I was reading an article in The Mountain Press this morning about how the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is hosting several discussions on balancing economic growth with the preservation of the natural environment. It really got me thinking. I love Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and many other of our country’s national parks. I love that there are still places we can escape to where nature is not paved over or corralled. But with the number of visitors flooding into Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, can tourism be sustained while still preserving the natural beauty that people flock to enjoy?

I’m a firm believer in the “leave no trace” philosophy when it comes to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park or any other place where an effort has been made to preserve the natural environment. Is it really possible, though, to leave absolutely no trace of a visit to the park? The answer is a resounding “No”. If we drive into the park, we are bringing pollution with us. We are eroding trails each time we walk on them. Even with the best intentions, all of us who visit the park are making an impact on nature.

According to the National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park “provides an economic hub generating over $1 billion a year for surrounding tourist communities.” That’s a lot of money which is putting food on many tables and roofs over many heads. It’s tax dollars which are providing financial backing for schools and the arts. If the park were closed to visitors, or the number of visitors to the park each year were restricted, this would surely have a detrimental impact on the communities around the park for which tourism is the biggest industry.

So what’s the answer? How do we sustain economic growth while preserving the environment and the natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park? I don’t have any answers, but maybe the sustainable tourism discussions going on this month will provide us with a few ideas.

According to the National Park Service, all campfires have been banned in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park backcountry. Wildfires are a concern every fall when dry leaves cover the ground. The threat is even higher this year, as the park has been experiencing a drought.

Park visitors are also asked to take extra precautions to avoid the possibility of a wildfire. The park service asks that visitors take extra care when extinguishing cigarettes, pipes, and frontcountry campfires and grills.

Also note, the drought has caused several of the streams that can normally be found in the backcountry to dry up. If you’ve been planning a hike through the stretch of the Appalachian Trail which cuts through the Great Smokies, the campfire ban and the lack of free-running streams should be taken into consideration.

Well, okay, this isn’t actually the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a blog devoted to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the next best thing to being there!

I am a travel writer, and a National Park enthusiast.Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of my very favorites, and judging by the number of people who flock there each year, many share my sentiments.

The thing I love most about Great Smoky Mountains National Park is its diversity. It’s home to an amazing variety of plant life and wildlife. The buildings and farms that remain in the park are a testament to its history. It’s a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts who come to the park to fish, hike, climb, and go whitewater rafting. Many parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are accessible by car which means that people of all ages and physical abilities are able to get an up close and personal look at the park’s abundance of natural beauty. And finally, at the entrances to the park, you’ll find towns that offer everything from the run-of-the-mill tourist trap shops to experienced wilderness outfitters to places of art and culture.

My hopes for this blog are that it provides you with information about the park, lends assistance in planning trips, and helps to instill a respect for the natural beauty and diversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.