The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has seen a steady increase in visitors over the past several years. Last year, the park recorded its busiest year to date, bringing in a total of over 14 million guests. Over the past decade, there has been a visitation increase of over 57 percent. Because the park’s operational budget hasn’t seen a similar growth, they have been looking for ways to maintain the park so that guests receive the best possible experience. The result is the new Park It Forward program,

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You haven’t seen the last of Dolly Parton Christmas specials! NBC recently announced a brand new Christmas musical coming this holiday season. “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas” is a unique musical about the making of a TV special at the world-class theme park, Dollywood. We’ve gathered all the details we know about the new Dolly Parton Christmas special so far! About ‘Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas’ Nothing goes better together than Dolly Parton and the holiday season! This year, our Smoky Mountain hometown hero is bringing us a

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The Smoky Mountains make the perfect location for a group vacation with family or friends. There are a ton of exciting attractions for all ages, and plenty of fantastic dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! When it comes to the best places to stay, you can’t go wrong with a large cabin in the mountains. Here are 6 reasons cabins in the Smokies are perfect for group vacations: 1. Plenty of Space When you are traveling on a group trip, you want to have plenty of lodging

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When you vacation in the Smoky Mountains, you will be treated to amazing views everywhere you go, including at the local attractions and restaurants. As you explore everything that Pigeon Forge has to offer, you will find some delicious places to eat that also offer unique views of the city and the natural scenery! Here are 5 of the best Pigeon Forge restaurants with a view: 1. The Old Mill Restaurant Not only does The Old Mill Restaurant serve some of the best southern food in the Smokies,

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No matter what time of year you decide to visit the Smokies, there are always exciting things happening! From car shows to parades and holiday events, you are sure to find an event around town that appeals to you. However, in the coming weeks, the Smokies are set to host some of the biggest festivals of the entire year! Here are 6 upcoming events in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains you will want to attend: 1. Monsters on the Mountain If you are a fan of rock

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You never know what you’ll see when you explore the mountain top attractions in Gatlinburg! From black bears to birds, you’ll have the opportunity to see all kinds of Smoky Mountain wildlife roaming around. One animal you don’t see very often in the area, however, is a bobcat. Visitors to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park were in for a special treat when they spotted not one, but two, baby bobcats on the hillside! Watch the video and learn more below: Bobcat Cubs at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park The Gatlinburg

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A new restaurant has opened in downtown Sevierville! If you’re craving some delicious Smoky Mountain barbeque, you’ll love Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ. It hopes to introduce the world of whole hog barbeque and establish roots for this special cooking style in East Tennessee. We’ve gathered all the details on this restaurant, from what’s on the menu to where to find it. Find out everything you need to know about Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ in Sevierville TN: What is Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ? Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ is a

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Looking for the perfect morning or afternoon activity in the Smoky Mountains? Go for a hike! There are hikes for all skill levels, but you don’t have to do something challenging in order to get great views. We’ve made a list of some of our favorite hikes that are all less than 5 miles roundtrip and shouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours to complete, depending on the pace you go. Here are 5 easy Smoky Mountain hikes under 5 miles: 1. Laurel Falls Arguably the most popular hike

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Sometimes nothing beats a classic diner meal! If you’re looking for the best burgers, tasty sandwiches, or an all-day breakfast menu, then you’ll love the diners in the Smoky Mountain area. Not only do they have good food, but they have affordable prices! To help you decide where to go, we’ve created a guide to the best diners in Pigeon Forge: 1. Mel’s Diner Of course, Mel’s Diner is at the top of our list! This diner is a popular family-owned and operated restaurant in the heart of

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Are you looking for fun ways to escape the busyness on the Parkway? We can help! You can spend a whole day (or more) enjoying all the activities along Wears Valley Road. Located just off the beaten path, this road offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle along the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Parkways. We want to show you all the fun you can have here! Take a look at the top 7 things to do along Wears Valley Road: 1. Dine at Elvira’s Cafe Start

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