Great Smoky Mountains National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Great Smoky Mountains National Park - News section for more.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Prepares for Winter Storm
January 23, 2026 | 4:10 pm
Beginning on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m., Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close several access points to the park due to an incoming winter storm. These will remain in effect until staff can safely assess conditions.
National Park Service Seeks Tips to Help Identify a Suspect Involved in Assault in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
January 9, 2026 | 1:59 pm
The National Park Service is seeking tips from the public to aid in the ongoing investigation of an assault that occurred in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Prescribed Burn planned in Cades Cove on January 7 and 8
January 6, 2026 | 3:00 pm
The National Park Service (NPS) plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the western portion of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on January 7 and 8, weather permitting. Fire managers intend to burn approximately 900 acres to restore native meadow habitats, reduce hazardous fuels, prevent the encroachment of woody vegetation and maintain the historic landscape of the cove.
National Park Service seeks tips to help identify suspect in poached deer case in Cades Cove
December 23, 2025 | 3:55 pm
The National Park Service is requesting tips from the public to aid in an investigation of a deer poached from fields near Sparks Lane in Cades Cove.
Major safety upgrades coming to the Spur in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
December 19, 2025 | 12:33 pm
Beginning in January, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a multi-year project to improve safety and infrastructure on the Gatlinburg Spur, the scenic road connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This project is designed to improve safety and traffic flow for the millions of visitors and local residents who travel this corridor each year.
Celebrate the holiday season at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
December 6, 2025 | 10:34 am
Embrace the spirit of the season with two festive events at Great Smoky Mountains National Park this December. Visitors are invited to celebrate Appalachian holiday traditions and create new memories during the Festival of Christmas Past, Present and Future on Saturday, December 13, and the Holiday Homecoming on Saturday, December 20.
Prescribed burn planned for Cataloochee Valley on November 18
November 17, 2025 | 9:49 am
The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the Cataloochee Valley area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday, November 18, weather permitting. Fire managers intend to burn approximately 89 acres across six fields to reduce hazardous fuels, restore native meadow habitats and maintain the historic landscape of the valley.
Gatlinburg Bypass now open following major landslide cleanup
September 30, 2025 | 4:21 pm
The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now open following a significant landslide that temporarily closed the roadway over the weekend.
Tourism to Great Smoky Mountains National Park contributes $2 billion to local economy
September 29, 2025 | 3:27 pm
A new National Park Service report shows that approximately 12.2 million visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2024 spent more than $2 billion in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of more than $2.8 billion.
It’s beginning to feel like fall in the Smokies
September 23, 2025 | 12:00 am
It’s beginning to feel like fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Autumn is a beautiful—but busy—time in the Smokies. Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for incredible fall colors, but also crowds, traffic congestion and limited parking throughout the park.