Great Smoky Mountains National Park: America's Most Beloved Park

The National Park Service ranks Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the most visited park in the United States with more than ten million annual visits. It spans two states, North Carolina and Tennessee, which cover over half-a-million acres. Visitors flock to the Park each year due to its exciting activities, picturesque views, accessible location and family-friendly entertainment.

Outdoor Activities

There is plenty of entertainment in the park that drives visitors back to the park each year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers bicycle rentals and safe bike trails for most seasons. Fishing is available year round, and the park features an abundance of fish local to the area. Guided horseback riding, trails for personal horse use, hayrides, carriage rides and wagon rides are available in both Tennessee and North Carolina areas of the park.

Opportunities to Learn

The park contains to institutes and a staff-led program to educate visitors on wide variety of topics, such as the ecology of the park, Appalachian music, animal life and indigenous populations. Programs for children and adults offer opportunities for learning at all ages. The institutes on the park serve as a base for research and training for biologists, ecologists, anthropologists and more.

Trails

Trail lovers enjoy over 850 miles of trail options throughout the park. The trails range from beginner, intermediate and advanced. Families bring children along for short nature walks, while adventurers backpack deep through the Appalachian Mountains on trails for serious hikers only.

Along the way, visitors see the abundant waterfalls that fill the park’s rivers and streams and bring hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Pigeon Creek Trail features Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the region at 120 feet. Other popular waterfalls range from 20 to 100 feet, though smaller waterfalls occur throughout the park.

Wild Animals

Love for the park is also a result of the many species that call the park home. There are more than 17,000 documented animals and insects with double to quadruple that number waiting to be discovered. In particular, the ever-declining population of the black bear is largely within the confines of the park. Rangers take precautions and great care to protect the bears from further decline and promote education on black bears. Though typically found in the back country, black bears can make a rare appearance in more developed areas as well. Elk, deer, turkey and other animals are common throughout the park. Noted viewing areas provide visitors with safe ways to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Location

The location of the Smokies makes the park more accessible and allows park visitors to feel a part of the national spirit. Encompassing two states, the park has multiple entry points. Mountain communities in North Carolina and Tennessee provide charming stops upon arrival and when leaving the park to find souvenirs and homemade gifts. One town in Tennessee is home to Lookout Mountain, which has a view of seven states. These cultural experiences just outside the park make the national designation that much more cherished by visitors.

Historic Designations

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is so beloved that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which designates it as a natural landmark of international importance. It is also an International Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1976, for its vast natural splendor and importance to the environmental climate of the Appalachian Mountains.

History runs deep in the park, and there is evidence of tribes from over 9,000 years ago. Artifacts from prehistoric times are available for viewing in the visitor’s centers, and rangers maintain almost 80 different historical sites throughout the park. During the popular logging and then conservation eras in the 1800s, residents built homes, schools and community buildings that still stand today. Visitors can even experience the park’s history without leaving their vehicle with an auto tour. These historical connections people experience in the park help make it so popular.

Ecological Diversity

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a generally temperate climate with large amounts of rainfall (up to eight feet per year). The most popular areas of the park are in the lower areas of the mountains and the foothills. However, the park also has snow at almost any point in the year. The highest elevation in the park is almost 7,000 feet. On the highest mountains in the park, snowfall is prominent due to the high altitude. Visitors can even find glaciers in the higher altitudes. Warm-weather plant and animal species dominate the lower altitude areas of the park, while plant and animal life typically found in colder climates dominate the higher altitudes.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park exemplifies traditional community and environmental preservation in the American Southern region. The large number of visitors to the park each year is a direct result of all the park has to offer, including charm and a piece of American history. There are plenty of ways to create an adventure, and outdoor experts and newcomers alike are able to enjoy the frontiers and beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Best Winter Scenery in The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Whether or not you have ever walked the Great Smoky Mountain trails of Tennessee, there is nothing quite like visiting these trails in the winter. During the coldest months of the year, the Great Smokies get a healthy coating of snow, drastically changing the look, feel and landscape of the mountain trails. Visiting in the winter offers a very refreshing change from what may have otherwise been a drab and dull winter. If you choose to visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee during the winter, here are the best winter spots that offer the best scenery.

Laurel Falls Trail

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a result, visiting this trail during the peak season makes it hard to find a parking spot. However, visiting during the winter months makes this trail much more enjoyable. You are also greeted by some of the most breathtaking scenery you have ever seen.

The Laurel Falls Trail was first established in 1932. It helped provide fire crews with easier access to the Cove Mountain area in case of a forest fire. By the 1960s, this spot became a popular hiking area because of its amazing views. Another thing that made it a popular trail was that it was paved in 1963 to prevent erosion. This has made it a go-to spot for families with young children and an easy place to hike during the winter.

Despite being paved, there are some high drop-offs along the trail that make it perfect for sightseeing. If you follow the trail for 2.3 miles, you eventually come to the 80-foot waterfall after which the trail was named. This is a beautiful site to see no matter what time of the year it is.

Rainbow Falls Trail

The Rainbow Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a fan favorite. Located in Sevier County, Tennessee, this trail ascends Mount Le Conte. No matter what time of the year you hike up the Rainbow Falls Trail, you are in for some fantastic scenery because Mount Le Conte is the sixth-highest mountain on the east side of the Mississippi River.

The first part of the Rainbow Falls Trail is a steady climb. Thankfully, there are some great opportunities along the way to stop for picnics and take in the scenery. Further along the trail, as you come up to LeConte Creek, you come across two footbridges. The view from there is always amazing, but even more so in the winter. Just 2.7 miles from the start of the trail, you come across a waterfall that is 80 feet high. Few things in life are as grand as laying your eyes on this beauty during the winter. Don't climb the rocks near the waterfall because, even during the summer months, they are slippery.

Alum Cave Bluffs Trail

Another trail that leads up Mount Le Conte is the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail. Hiking this trail in the snow is simply wonderful. During the early hours of the morning, it's unlikely that you will encounter other hikers, which really adds to the charm. One great thing about this trail is that it's covered in evergreens. This breaks up the scenery to create a view that you usually don't see during the winter. Just don't go down this trail expecting to find a cave. In fact, this trail got its name from a very unusual concave that formed along the trail, creating an overhang that goes right over the trail and heads up to a bluff.

This is an example of a trail that isn't too difficult to hike during the winter. The hardest part of the trail is near the natural arch. Here, there are stone steps that lead up to the rest of the trail. This part of the trail is known for getting really icy. There are cables that you can use to help climb the trail, but these get icy as well. Just take it one step at a time, and make sure of your footing before moving on.

Chimney Tops Trail

Chimney Tops is another popular area in the Great Smoky Mountains. This area is most well known for being one of the very few summits of bare rock. As you may know, most of the summits in the Great Smoky Mountains are covered in trees. Natural weathering has cleared and exposed the rock by stripping away soil. One reason why this is such a popular place to visit during the winter is because it doesn't require any kind of special gear to climb. Also, on clear days you can see the Sugarlands Valley to the north of the trail. Finding a clear day in the winter isn't too difficult.

Before heading out during the winter months to hike the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains, remember that it can be risky business hiking in the winter. Two of the most serious risks that you will face include dehydration and hypothermia. The best way to prevent running into any problems is to stay dry. This is a tip that is particularly helpful in the winter because the rise in elevation makes the air cooler than what most people expect. However, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Great Smokies in the winter; you just have to be more careful than normal. In the end, it's worth it because the winter scenery in the mountains is like nothing you have ever seen. Pictures don't do it justice. You have to see it with your own eyes!

Top Things First Time Visitors Should Do While in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a beautiful place to visit regardless of the time of year. Below, one will be able to find a variety of attractions that are a must, especially if it is one’s first time visiting Gatlinburg.

#1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The best attraction that one can see when visiting Gatlinburg for the first time is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is by far one of the best places to visit for anyone that loves and enjoys the outdoors. There are a variety of different stops that one should see while driving over the mountain and the park rangers are always there to assist anyone and everyone that is visiting the park. There are hiking trails, camp grounds, and even abandoned home site villages that one can view.

#2 Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

For anyone that enjoys marine life, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a must when visiting Gatlinburg. They have a variety of different marine life aquariums to enjoy. Some of the favorite attractions are the shark tank, the sea turtles, and many other animals of the sea. This is a wonderful attraction for older couples or families that have younger children. It offers a great experience for anyone who has a love for animals.

#3 Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is a definite stopping place for anyone and everyone that enjoys shopping, arts, and crafts. The entire community consists of locale artisans and artists that have all of their wares on display for anyone to purchase. It’s a nice and leisurely visit. Some of the things that one can find at the community are paintings, metal smithing, and even basket weaving.

#4 Smoky Mountain Riding Stables

According to the people that have attended the Smoky Mountain Riding Stables, this is considered to be the best riding stables in Gatlinburg. The tours of this stables has trails that go up the side of the mountain and even into the National Park. It is considered to be a definite spot to visit if one’s family enjoys riding horses and likes the whole outdoor experience.

#5 Baskins Creek Falls

If one enjoys the outdoors, this is a wonderful attraction that has to be seen when visiting Gatlinburg for the first time. This is not a large waterfall, but it is still beautiful, and there are two different hiking paths that one can choose to take to reach the falls. Therefore, if hiking and beautiful waterfalls is one’s idea of a great time, this is definitely the place to visit.

#6 Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark

Thanks to the fact that Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark is indoors, this is a great Gatlinburg attraction that can be visited throughout the year. It offers a variety of different water attractions, and this is a wonderful place to go if there are children involved. Not only are their wonderful waterpark activities, there is also a small restaurant on the premises that will allow the family to enjoy pizza, hot dogs, and a variety of other similar selections. Although this is not a huge waterpark, it is a wonderful place to come and enjoy the cool and refreshing water.

#7 Ripley’s Moving Theater

If one enjoys going to the movies, then this is the perfect place to visit when coming to Gatlinburg. At Ripley’s Moving Theater, one can experience the thrill of their favorite movies on a ride that is powered by Real D 3D. Some of the movies that are offered for their customers’ enjoyment are Transformer, Harry Potter, and a lot of others. This is extremely recommended if one has small children.

#8 Old Town Gem Mine

If one has never been to a gem mine, the Old Town Gem Mine will be a wonderful attraction to visit. Upon entering it is practically guaranteed that one will be able to find a gem. This is basically for the children, but it’s a wonderful experience for anyone that enjoys doing things with their hands.

#9 Amazing Mirror Maze

The Amazing Mirror Maze is a must see if it is one’s first time visiting Gatlinburg. Upon entering into the maze, it is recommended to pay $1 extra in order to get a pair of 3D glasses. The glasses make this attraction absolutely amazing, and it is something that everyone in the family can enjoy.

#10 Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre

Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is a small hometown theatre, and they put on skits throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, one can see a well done Christmas skit or a mid-summer comedy. Regardless of the time of year, this is a wonderful attraction, and one should definitely take the time to visit this theatre when visiting Gatlinburg for the first time.

Experience Winter Magic on The Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights

Each year over 40 million people visit the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area in Tennessee. The wintertime is not excluded, boasting some fun wintertime amenities for the entire family. The town of Gatlinburg is located at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pigeon Forge is the next town over and between the two towns, the area is bustling year round with travelers and locals alike.

If you live or are visiting the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area anytime from now until January, you may wish to try taking a tour of the town on the Gatlinburg trolley. Every Christmas season the trolley service hosts an event called "Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights", allowing you to visit some of the town's impressive light displays.

What a great idea! You step onto a trolley with your group and enjoy the twinkling light displays that are set up throughout the town. The lights have been provided by the town of Gatlinburg for all to enjoy for the past 23 years. The night becomes magical as you are whisked away in the trolley to enjoy the displays. There is no need to worry about driving yourself through town to see them, risking missing anything while you are trying to concentrate on the road. You can leave that to your trolley driver!

Gatlinburg has replaced its display with LED lights, allowing the town to save money on electricity, and also allowing them to have more lights than ever! The route runs from Route 321, and along Parkway and River Road in the downtown area. The displays this year include an animal theme featuring animals from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area. Search the lights for fox, squirrel, rabbits and deer!

The older displays have all been converted to the LED light display, and there are a bunch of newer displays that have recently joined the line up. These include fountains, snowmen, a silver rocking horse and an international display of children enjoying their holiday. The town has spent $1.6 million dollars in upgrading the light system for your viewing pleasure for years to come.

When departing, the trolley will run at a leisurely pace, allowing you to soak in the sights and sounds of the Gatlinburg area during the holiday season. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and to enjoy time with friends and loved ones. It is a kid-friendly tour, that will leave your children inspired and filled with awe.

Each trolley has a driver that doubles as your tour-guide. You will learn some informative information regarding the history of the Gatlinburg area while viewing some of the area's most impressive displays of light.

To be a part of these festivities, you can purchase tickets online or you can buy them from the departure site. The trolley will start and end its journey at the Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 next to Ripley's Aquarium. The ride runs three times every night, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm from now until January 25, 2015. There is no service on the first Friday in December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. In January service will run on Saturdays only. The cost is only $5 per person and the ride lasts approximately 45 minutes.

The Gatlinburg Trolley runs year round, boasting over 100 different routes. It is usually a low price of just 50 cents a ride, or $2 for the day. It allows you to be able to visit the entire area without having to drive. You can leisurely site-see at an expensive price, knowing that the trolley will be able to bring you back to your beginning location when you are ready. With so many trolley stops in the area, the trolley makes maneuvering throughout the area a breeze. There are stops in nearby Pigeon Forge, as well, making the towns join together in the sharing of travelers.

The Winter Magic on The Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights is an extra amenity that the trolley service offers to allow visitors to revel in the work that the town of Gatlinburg does each year. It is an anticipated event and ticket sales run out quickly, so it is recommended to make your reservations in advance if you have a particular date that you would like to ride. Should you wish to reserve a trolley for a large group, please specify when you call that you would like your group to be seated together so the seats can be saved.

Gather up the family and head to the Ripley's Aquarium area to join in with this exciting event! Grab some dinner in town, maybe visit the aquarium, and then jump on the trolley for a holiday experience like no other! You will not believe the number of lights that you will be able to see on the tour! Some displays are very large, with twinkling lights and moving displays to enjoy.

Townspeople like to join in on the fun and put up their own displays on their house fronts, adding to the spectacular light show. Search for your old favorites and enjoy the new additions of the year. Bring the kids out on the town for a night to enjoy as a family, to be remembered for years to come. Sit together enjoying the displays while singing some carols as you ride! The holiday season comes and goes so very fast, that this is a great way to enjoy it together! If you are a history enthusiast, enjoy some of the facts that the trolley drivers know about the town and the light display itself. You will not be sorry that you took the time to enjoy this holiday event! It only happens once a year, so make sure to get in on the action before the holiday season is over!

Spine-Chilling Halloween Festivities in Gatlinburg

Fall has arrived, with leaves turning beautiful reds, golds and oranges. The air is getting chilly and you wish to spend your time enjoying getting scared out of your mind. That’s right, it is time for Halloween. The time of year we mindlessly venture out into worlds that normally give us nightmares with ghosts, goblins and the supernatural. When looking for spine-chilling activities in the Gatlinburg area, look no further than the excellent choices assembled here for your frightening pleasure.

Start with an evening at the Iris Theater with their special Shocktober Halloween show with Comedy Hypnotist Guy Michaels. While designed to be a family show with plenty of laughs while you or your friends become the stars of the show, when you think about the crazy antics that you were performing for the whole audience, you will be suitably a bit creeped out at how easily Guy Michaels was able to have you performing imaginative feats in front of complete strangers. A great show, designed for a wonderful trip into your imagination that will have you laughing hysterically. And make sure you stop by and have your face artistically painted in any mask you wish with the newest offering for Shocktober 2014: spooky face painting. The extreme face painters can give you the scariest face in Gatlinburg this Halloween season. The face painting artists aren’t your typical run-of-the-mill carnival booth face painters. They take face painting to the extreme. Celebrate the spookiest time of year by joining the ghosts and ghouls of Shocktober.

When looking for something with a bit more screams, check out Fright Nights at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. This attraction is open year round with live actors jumping out at all turns to make you scream, but at Halloween they turn things up several notches. Set in an old casket factory where, legend has it, people started disappearing in the 1900’s; including the owners of the casket company, Ripley’s has decided to deliver an amazingly scary way to spend an evening. During Halloween the number of creepy actors running around to make you scream multiplies, and the 10,000 square foot facility is made scarier than ever. Ripley’s uses all its wonderful science knowledge to tap into your worst fears, piping in sound, sights and even smells that will have you screaming and crying for your mommy. There is an age limit imposed during the Fright Nights that take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October starting at 6pm, so find a babysitter for the little ones.

Available year round, but especially fun during Halloween, is a night spent with Ghost & Haunt Tours, where you will “See the real Gatlinburg”. Take a night time stroll with your special guide for a hair-raising ninety-minute tour into the spirit realm of Gatlinburg. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through historic areas and search along streets and alleys of Gatlinburg to hear stories of the unexplained and strange. Hear about a number of haunted hotels and buildings in the downtown area, about a gruesome murder committed at a very famous hotel here and the young girl and security guard who still haunt it. Learn all about the tale of a young man who made a foolish mistake and continues to pay for it to this very day. See actual pictures taken of paranormal activity on the tour route throughout the years.

One of the true jewels of Gatlinburg’s Halloween scene is the Mysterious Mansion. Scaring people for 30 years, the Mysterious Mansion gives you a three story, self-guided adventure through winding hallways, secret passageways and barely lit corridors designed to make you wish you brought your blankey. Complete with ghosts, goblins and other evil creatures, you will feel the chills in the air, and along your spine. The Mysterious Mansion comes complete with witches, ghosts, creaks, rattles and the must have spooky dungeons. The mansion's army of spooks and creeps make every effort to give you a thrilling scare and do everything from jumping out of unexpected places, following you around the mansion and even chasing you up stairs and into scary dungeons. It is recommended that you do not enter the mansion alone. Friends, in times like these, can be a big comfort. Open from May till October, a moderate entry fee is required. For the remaining time of the year, you will have to call and confirm whether the mansion is open for visitors. Halloween is the perfect time for a trip to this Mysterious Mansion of horror, as it is guaranteed to make your day a shuddering reality.

No matter which attraction you decide on, or if you are feeling particularly brave and want to try them all, Gatlinburg definitely has some frightening options for you to explore. With a true haunted history in the area you can find some terrifyingly entertaining ways to scare yourself this Halloween.

Best Time and Places to See the Fall Colors in Gatlinburg

For Gatlinburg, TN, fall is the favorite season because the temperatures are cool, the air is full of sweet fragrances of nature, and the trees put up quite an exotic display of colors. In fact, in order to ensure that people don’t miss the fall colors of Gatlinburg, an annual forecast is released every year which informs people about when the colors will be at their richest.

Best Time to Visit Gatlinburg:

•    Mid to End of October - For both the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg, the ideal time is traditionally during October, starting from mid-October and lasting till the end of it. This foliage forecast changes every year.

For instance, for 2014, October 10 to 27 is said to be the best time to visit Gatlinburg and see the fall colors in their full glory. Visiting Smoky Mountains during that time would be a treat for any tourist. Red Maple trees would turn bright scarlet, Black Maple would become golden yellow, Sugar Maple would turn orange red, Poplar would be golden yellow, Birch would be bright yellow, Dogwood would be an interesting purple red, Hickories would be golden bronze, and Oaks could be russet, brown or red.

Best Places to See the Fall Colors in Gatlinburg:

•    Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway – This aerial tramway can house 120 people and will give you the most spectacular view of the fall colors without even leaving downtown Gatlinburg. You also get to enjoy snow tubing, snowboarding, water-skiing, lounges, restaurants, shops, chairlifts, water rides, black bear habitat, indoor ice skating and alpine slide in the amusement park.

•    Gatlinburg Sky Lift – Another landmark in downtown Gatlinburg that offers a panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains and the little quaint town. It was built and opened in the 1950s but regular maintenance has ensured that while the sky lift remains as vintage looking as ever, it is completely safe for all visitors. The trip will begin with the Crocket Mountains and then go on to Little Pigeon River, Mysterious Mansion, Bear run and other mountains.

•    Space Needle – This is the biggest attraction in Gatlinburg which rises over 400 feet and brings the entire fall of Gatlinburg to the observation deck. You will be spellbound by the 360 degree view of Gatlinburg resort and Smoky Mountains. It also includes an educational experience with free view finders. The biggest redemption center of the region is located in Arcadia which has all the redemption games and 2 playgrounds sprawled over 25000 feet. Don’t forget to visit the Flying Saucer Italian Bistro, The Mentalist show, Laser Runner, Hurricane Simulator and the gift store.

•    Gatlinburg Bypass – National Park Service maintains this route that tracks around Mt. Harrison’s side and is 4 miles long. By taking this bypass, you could also avoid the traffic coming from or going to the national park. When you are coming out of the park and going in the direction of Pigeon Forge, you will get another spectacular overlook point to see Mt. LeConte and Gatlinburg.

•    Mt. LeConte – Myrtle Point located on the east of Mt. LeConte is always the favorite spot of visitors to view the sunrise and sunset. There is a lodge on top of the mountain and if you happen to be enjoying the hiking trail offered by this mountain, that is where you can stay. The popular trails to LeConte include Alum Cave Bluffs Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Boulevard Trail and Trillium Gap Trail.

•    Clingman’s Dome – You will be able to enjoy the spruce fir forest located at higher elevations and spectacular views of the mountain from Clingman’s Dome which lies at 6,643 feet. It is the highest point of the Smoky Mountains National Park and Tennessee. The summit of the dome hosts an observation tower where you will get a great view of the Smoky Mountains. If the day is clear, you might be able to see about 100 miles of area. Around the dome, coniferous rainforest thrives because of the cool temperatures of the area. Make sure to dress up in multiple layers and bring a shawl or jacket. There are many trails weaving in and around Clingman’s Dome for visitors to enjoy.

•    The Chimney Tops – This trail is only about 2 miles long, starting from the national park and ending at the Chimney top but it requires a lot of caution and strength to complete. On your way, you will encounter glorious trees, streams and wildflowers and finally reaching the top of Chimney’s and the view you will get from there makes the effort worthwhile. The trail starts from the parking lot. You will see Eastern hemlocks, go through the Little Pigeon River, Beech Flats and Beech Flats Cove, and get a spectacular view of the Sugarland Mountain.

•    The Appalachian Trail – This trail was finished in 1937 and is about 2,015 miles long, starting from Springer and ending at Mount Katahdin. It is sprawled across bits and parts of fourteen states. In the Smoky Mountains, the trail takes you through Charles Bunion and the fire clearings. At these clearings which are located above the steep slopes of the mountain, you will be able to peek down at the valleys, peaks, flora and fauna below. The trail has many overnight shelters with primitive bunks if you want to nap along the way.

•    Cataloochee Valley – The valley has a lot of historical buildings including a school and two churches. If you are a fan of early 20th and late 19th century buildings apart from Gatlinburg’s fall colors, this could be just the place for you. There are 6000 feet peaks surrounding this valley. You can enjoy wildlife watching while you are here and might get to see an elk, deer, turkey and other wildlife. Fishing can also be done here after getting a license, and after advance reservation, they also allow group camping.

Other places you should visit if you want to enjoy all the beautiful fall colors of Gatlinburg are – Laurel Falls, Rich Mountain Road, Greenbrier, Foothills Parkway, Upper Tremont Road, Newfoundland Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop Road.

Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival in Downtown Gatlinburg

photo credit: Keoni Cabral via photopin cc

Gatlinburg will be celebrating its Appalachian musical roots as it hosts the third annual Smoky Mountains Festival from August 21st to the 24th. For four days, songwriters will perform and tell stories about songs heard on the radio. Venues throughout Gatlinburg will house the artists’ presentations. The public is invited, and the live music is free.

All music genres are welcome. Participant competitions require that songs are the artist’s original music. Songwriter opportunities include a Workshop series, Stage Spots, Band Playoff and Song Competition.

The festival is held to help and promote songwriters so that their songs and talents are discovered by producers, publishers, and fans. This festival occurs during the last two weeks of August, rain or shine. The craft of songwriting is presented by hit songwriters.

The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival provides a platform for original songs to be performed by their creators. Many songs will be recognized from ‘Hit” lists. The stories behind the songs are told by the performers. It is one of the best free live entertainment venues provided anywhere.

The public can bring instruments and songs of their own. Open jam spots will be available for musicians. Instruments and songs are not a requirement. People whose only interest is to enjoy good music can attend.

Participation in the festival events comes about in one of three ways. 1) Participants are invited. 2) An audition process allows Stage Spots to be purchased. 3) Participants may enter the Songwriter Contest.

Three songwriters who wrote songs that became big hits for top performers will be in concert on Saturday night of the festival. They are Whispering Bill Anderson. Steve Dorff and Bobby Tomberlin. Anderson wrote, “Whiskey Lullaby” that became a Brad Paisley hit. Dorff wrote, “Every Which Way But Loose” that is performed by Eddie Rabbit. Tomberlin is responsible for “One More Day” that is sung by Diamond Rio.

Songwriter Opportunity

The hit writers Jim McBride, John Condrone, Doug Johnson, and Kim Williams will be conducting two three-hour group writing sessions. Small groups of, possibly seven and hopefully no more than ten, songwriters will be chosen as co-writers with these celebrities in the Rocky Top Co-writing Experience during the festival. The accepted number depended on the number that applied. An overabundance of applications would have triggered more hit writers to be asked to participate. All participants will be offered a cherished co-writing experience. Applications had to be in by July 25, 2014.

Song Competition

On Saturday afternoon, the Song Competition Performance Finale and Awards Show will be held. There were 276 entries. All but 60 songs scored in the upper 50 percentile. The finalists and the Honorable Mentions will be announced. Honorable Mentions are songs that scored in the top ten scores of each song category.

Here is a list of the finalists:

Bluegrass

• Anne Buckle “Somewhere In The Gray”
• Jeff McClellan “Molly Dear”
• Scott Parker “How Mama Raised Me”
• Doug Smith “She’s Lying (In The Cold, Cold Ground)”

Country

• Anne Buckle “Rock Paper Scissors”
• Jonathan Helfand “Moving To China.”
• Lee Johnson “This Ole’ T-Shirt” and “”This Side of Dirt”

Folk

• Joe Beeler “Orphan Train”
• Anne Buckle “Depends on the Weather” and “Ballad Of A Broken Heart.”
• Fish Fisher “Wiley Oakley”

Gospel/Inspirational

• Betty Brennan “The More I Get To Know My Lord”
• Doug Smith “Losing Me and Finding You.”
• Mitch Townley “Passion of the Lamb” and “Harvest of Hope”

Pop/Rock

• Anne Buckle “Away”
• Jonathan Dean “Yours”
• Charlie Katt “Long Time To Be Nowhere” and “The Music Doesn’t Judge Me.”

Lyric Only

• Peter Gilman “The Betting Man”
• David Lauver “Nobody Does It Like Ella.”
• Sarah Motes Ashley “Mommy Needs a Timeout.”
• Michael Sledjeski “Del Rio (With Your Misty Mountain Highs)”

The information is not privileged. The winners and Honorable Mentions have been noted elsewhere. It is included here to highlight some exceptional talent. Anne Buckle is a finalist in four categories. Some categories contain two of her creations. Doug Smith has also been honored in more than one category.

The festival has been blessed with the panel of judges for this year’s Song Competition. The panel consists of Larry Beaird, Bill Whyte, Kim Williams and Doug Johnson. Beaird has a music group in Nashville. Whyte is an announcer for WSM Radio, who was an inductee into the Broadcaster Hall of Fame in 2012. Lisa Johnson runs Razor & Tie Nashville. Williams has the honor of being chosen as a Hall of Fame Songwriter and Grammy Award Winner. Doug Johnson hails from A & R Black River Entertainment. Cash awards will be given to the competition winners at the Song Competition Finale and Awards Show during the festival.

Workshops

The workshops that are being offered to songwriters are listed here:

• Larry Beaird will present “Arranging The Hit.”
• Stephanie Orr-Buttrey will deliver a workshop entitled “Plugging Your Name NOT Just Your Music Online.”
• Doug Johnson, Kim Williams, and Lisa Johnson are teaming up to provide a workshop called “Music: The Whole Shebang – Songwriting, Recording, Publishing.”
• Marty Dodson will bestow information about “Developing A Hit Idea Into a Hit Song.”
• Clay Mills will dole out information he titled “Writing Songs Artists Want to Record.”
• Karen E. Reynolds will hand down advice that will “Increase The Odds For Your Song.”

Stage Spots

The Stage Spots are limited and will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Spots were planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday Stage Spots will be a priority for Gospel Submissions. Thirty minutes of playing time costs $45. An hour costs $75. There is a processing fee that applies toward awarded spots.