Child Struck By Boat Propeller On Douglas Lake
DANDRIDGE, TENN.—A four-year-old child has been seriously injured after being struck by a boat propeller during a boating incident on Douglas lake this afternoon. TWRA Boating Enforcement Officer Chase Rich reports that around 3 p.m., Bill Thomas Wardlow Jr., 44, of Sevierville, was swimming with three children under the age of eight years old near […]
Park Announces Paving Project on Little River Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a pavement preservation project will begin Tuesday, February 19 on Little River Road. A thin pavement overlay will be applied to the entire length of the 16.5-mile roadway between Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Townsend Wye along with associated pull-offs and parking lots and the 1.5-mile Elkmont […]
Autopsy Complete for Man Found in Park in September 2018
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials recently received the autopsy report from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center detailing that William Lee Hill, Jr. died of accidental methamphetamine intoxication. Hill, age 30, of Louisville, TN was found off-trail in the park on Sunday, September 9, 2018, near Rich Mountain Road, approximately two miles north of […]
Park Remains Accessible During Partial Government Shutdown
During the partial shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. Roads and trails that are seasonally open will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. The park […]
Amazon To Dominate Cyber Monday – Support the Smokies while you shop with Amazon Smile
Amazon is predicted to dominate Cyber Monday sales today. As a corporate partner of Great Smoky Mountains Association, Amazon will donate a portion of your online purchases to GSMA when you start shopping on Amazon.com using this LINK.
TDH Investigation Ongoing into Illnesses Associated with Zipline Tour in Gatlinburg
The Tennessee Department of Health continues to investigate an outbreak of illness after receiving more than 500 reports of gastrointestinal illness among visitors to the CLIMB Works Zipline Canopy Tour in Gatlinburg. Testing is underway to try to identify the causes of the illnesses. Multiple patients who visited the facility since June 15, 2018 have […]
Park Recruits ‘Adopt-a-Plot’ Volunteers
Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are recruiting volunteers to adopt a monitoring plot in areas throughout the park. In an effort to track nature’s calendar, or phenology, volunteers will collect information as part of an important research project tracking seasonal biological data such as plant flowering dates and the presence of migratory birds. Previous […]
Park Announces Front Country Camping Fee Increase
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced a fee increase for front county campgrounds and picnic pavilions effective March 1, 2018. Over the past year, officials reviewed public comments, operating costs, and projected budget levels to determine the rate increases which range from 10% to 25%. The rate increases are necessary to meet the rising costs […]
Park Seeks Tips Regarding Damage to Elkmont Cabins
The National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) is seeking witnesses who may have information regarding a recent human-caused fire that caused damage to cabins in the Elkmont Historic District. US Park Rangers responded to an initial report of the fire at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. The damaged cabins are located […]
Weather Advisement in Anticipation of Tropical Storm Nate
Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials advise that the effects of Tropical Storm Nate may impact Great Smoky Mountains National Park as early as Saturday afternoon. Preliminary estimations from the National Weather Service suggest that the storm may pass the park Saturday afternoon, overnight into Sunday and on into Monday. Current rainfall predictions range from […]
Park to Open Chimney Tops Trail October 6
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials will open the Chimney Tops Trail to a newly developed observation point starting Friday, October 6, 2017. The entire trail has been closed to the public since the Chimney Tops 2 Fire event occurred in late November 2016. “We are excited to complete the work on the Chimney Tops […]
National Park Service Releases Review of Chimney Tops 2 Fire
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued an independent review of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire that burned 11,410 acres in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in November 2016 and merged with other area fires, which caused 14 deaths and millions of dollars in damage in the Gatlinburg area. The report outlines the origins […]
Bohanan Reunited with Family After 11 Days
After spending 11 nights lost in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Austin Bohanan walked out of the woods along Panther Creek and flagged down a passing boat for help on August 23 at approximately 2:30 p.m. He was quickly reunited with his family who has gathered daily near the site since his […]
Team Continues Search for Missing Team
On Sunday, August 20, searchers continued looking for missing teen, Austin Bohanan, in a remote section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The searchers are working in three teams comprised of 24 trained individuals from the National Park Service, Backcountry Unit Search and Rescue (BUSAR), Blount County Sheriff’s Office, and Blount Special Operations Response Team […]
Four Inmates Escape Jefferson County Work House – Two Recaptured, Two Remain At Large
On December 16th, 2016 Deputies were treating an inmate at the Jefferson County Work House 983 Industrial Park Road Dandridge, Tn. Inmate Adam Lethco had hurt his hand and Deputies were icing and wrapping his hand. As the Deputies exited the cell four inmates assaulted the Deputies, took the keys to a Deputies Vehicle and […]
TBI Arrests, Charges 2 Juveniles in Ongoing Investigation of Sevier County Wildfires
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in charges being placed against two people in connection with the deadly wildfires in Sevier County. Last week, at the request of 4th District Attorney General […]
