Smokies Life

06/23/2026

Curious why all of these people are stopping in at Sugarlands Visitor Center during their visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? To take advantage of educational resources and programs and ask Smokies Life staff about the best hiking, picnicking, and camping spots. Stop by and become a Smokies Life Park Keeper, preserving the Smokies for generations to come (while also getting a discount on store merch), or join online today. Link in comments.

06/22/2026

Some important reminders and tips for those visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park this summer.

🌸 It's summertime in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

The trees are green, the trails are calling, and—yes—the crowds are here! Summertime in the Smokies brings millions of visitors. With warm weather and long days, some popular areas fill up quickly, so planning ahead (and having a backup plan!) is key to a great visit.

🅿️ Don’t forget your parking tag
Visitors need a valid parking tag to park a vehicle longer than 15 minutes anywhere in the park. Park only in designated spots—illegally parked vehicles can block emergency vehicles and damage park resources.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm

🚧 Check for closures
Stay updated on road closures, trail conditions, and more before you head out.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

⛈️ Check the weather
Mountain weather can change fast! Afternoon storms and flash floods can create hazardous situations. Always check the forecast for the specific area you're visiting.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/weather.htm

🗺️ Plan your visit
Find must‑see places and important information to help you make the most of your trip. Exploring less‑visited areas can lead to a more peaceful and enjoyable experience.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/index.htm

📱 Download the free NPS App
Access maps, guides, and key park information—even offline. Just search “Great Smoky Mountains” in the app.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

⏳ Beat the crowds
Traffic in the Smokies can be heavy during summer. Learn more about the best times to visit.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/trafficandtraveltips.htm



NPS Photo

06/19/2026

There's still time to participate in Naturalist Week! Explore nature and win prizes from where ever you are in the world. Find all the details and challenges at gsmit.org/naturalist.

06/18/2026

Thirty years ago, William Hart Jr. stumbled upon a mystery: the unknown whereabouts of a graffiti-covered rock found by an expedition of early park advocates (including photographer George Masa!) during a hike to Porters Gap. It wasn’t until 2009 that he finally had a break in the case. On our Smokies LIVE blog, Hart takes readers along as he investigates the enigma and reflects on what he found. https://smokieslife.org/2026/06/15/the-quest-for-masa-rock/



📸 Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Library

06/14/2026

🐢 Eastern box turtles are on the move! See below for what to do if you encounter one in the road.

🐢 It's box turtle season in the Smokies!

Eastern box turtles are on the move this time of year, and many females are currently gravid (carrying eggs) and searching for suitable places to nest. As they travel, they often cross roads, putting them at risk from vehicle traffic.

If you spot a box turtle on the road, slow down and watch for additional turtles nearby. If it is safe to do so, you can help a turtle cross by moving it in the direction it was traveling and then wash your hands. Never relocate a turtle to a different area. Box turtles spend their lives in relatively small home ranges and may struggle to survive if moved elsewhere.

Every turtle that safely reaches the other side helps support the next generation of these remarkable reptiles.

Keep an eye out, drive carefully, and help keep the Smokies wild.

Learn more about the reptiles that call the Smokies home: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/reptiles.htm



NPS Photo

06/13/2026

The Society for Features Journalism celebrates another extraordinary year of storytelling excellence, and Smokies Life is part of it! The work of Holly Kays and Jennifer Fulford received recognition in the 2026 SFJ Excellence-in-Features Contest.

Holly’s piece “Unexpected family connection inspires artist to remake historic Smokies photos” won second place in Arts and Entertainment Feature, and
Jennifer’s essay “What three-and-a-half-days on the AT taught me” took third in First-Person Narrative Essay. They competed against writers from similarly sized organizations. Check out all the winners: https://www.featuresjournalism.org/blog/2026/6/8/sfj-features-contest-winners-division-1

Read Holly’s winning piece: https://smokieslife.org/2025/07/29/unexpected-family-connection-inspires-artist-to-remake-historic-smokies-photos/

Read Jennifer’s: https://smokieslife.org/2025/09/10/what-three-and-a-half-days-on-the-at-taught-me/

06/11/2026

Sometimes beauty can be found in the most unexpected places! From the meaning baked into a simple homecooked meal to a native wildflower often found along roadsides and disturbed areas, our 2026 Steve Kemp writer in residence uses art and poetry to explore some often-underappreciated glimmers. Read his thoughts in our newest blog 👉 https://smokieslife.org/2026/06/09/some-unforgotten-beauty/



📸 seoulfully/Flickr

06/10/2026

From the earliest recordings to present day, country music has been heavily influenced by the contributions of Black artists and musicians, though these pioneering voices were often left unattributed. In our final installment of “Sepia Tones,” the acclaimed songwriter Alice Randall shares her experience as a Black woman in the country music industry. Catch this and the entire series on our “Smoky Mountain Air” podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1026877/episodes/19213956

06/08/2026

Thanks to a few recent cancellations, several sold-out Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont camps are accepting registrations again. See below for more information.

Missed out when registration filled for Tremont’s popular summer camps? Thanks to a few recent cancellations, several sold-out camps are accepting registrations again.

Whether your child dreams of spotting Smokies critters, becoming a true backcountry explorer, or swimming in crisp mountain streams, we’ve got something for everyone ages 4 and up! These openings are limited and likely won't last long, so now is a great time to take a second look at summer in the Smokies.

Sign up at gsmit.org/summer-youth.

06/05/2026

💧 💧 💧 Ever use a restroom in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Wash your hands? Fill up a water bottle? The team responsible for managing the park’s 28 water systems and 27 wastewater systems usually stays behind the scenes, but nearly ever park visitor benefits from their work. Take a look at this little-known but vital group of park employees in our latest blog: https://smokieslife.org/2026/06/03/meet-the-team-that-keeps-the-parks-water-taps-flowing/



📸 Holly Kays