Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Colors Peaking In The National Parks Across The Country

With mid-October practically here, the fall colors are really starting to put on their best in many national parks, places like Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, and Acadia.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 11th, 2011 8:02am

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Trails I've Hiked: Little Cataloochee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A walk on Little Cataloochee Trail offers a glimpse into life in this remote mountain community before it became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This in-and-out hike, with a couple of diversions, takes you to two cabins, two cemeteries and a chapel.

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By [email protected] - October 9th, 2011 3:00am

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Say What? Overheard in the Park...

The late entertainer Art Linkletter was known for his "Kids Say the Darndest Things" interviews, but a recent trip to a park reminded me that grown-ups aren't immune from that tendency either—especially when they're on vacation.

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By Jim Burnett - October 7th, 2011 2:00am

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Reader Participation Day: Where Do You Go To See Fall Colors In The National Parks...And To Flee the Crowds?

It's easy to name colorful parks come fall. Acadia National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park are just three. But where do you go to see spectacular fall colors...without the crowds?

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 5th, 2011 3:00am

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Fall Color Without the Crowds at the Great Smoky Mountains or the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are justly famous for their fall color—and a flood of mid-October visitors. Can you avoid the heavy traffic and still enjoy some autumn foliage by timing your visit a bit earlier? Here's a Traveler trip report.

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By Jim Burnett - October 4th, 2011 2:00am

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Guided Hike Will Explore Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On October 4th you can take a guided hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to catch the first glimpses of autumn color, explore old cabins and cemeteries, and even ring the bell of a picturesque mountain chapel.

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By Bob Janiskee - September 20th, 2011 4:00am

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Where Can You See Wildlife Right Now: Elk At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summer visits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park can reward you with ample sights of wildlife, from black bears and white-tailed deer to salamanders and hawks. But if it's elk you want to see, now is the time to head to the park's Cataloochee Valley.

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By Kurt Repanshek - September 3rd, 2011 3:00am

Beware of Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Bears

Within its roughly 521,490 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park probably harbors about 1,500 black bears, according to the park's biologists. And this summer, those bears have been particularly ornery.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 27th, 2011 3:00am

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The Million Club: National Parks That Had More Than A Million Visits in 2010

Crown jewels like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite get huge numbers of visitors, but most of the Million Club's heavy lifters don't even have National Park as part of their name.

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By Bob Janiskee - August 19th, 2011 4:00am

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Where Can You Enjoy The Best Wildlife Experiences In the National Park System?

Here at the Traveler we put our heads together to come up with a list of where best to watch wildlife in the National Park System. We're sure you can help us grow this list.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 23rd, 2011 1:34pm

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INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks