September is our favorite month to send guests out to the waterfalls. The summer crowds have thinned, the creeks are still running strong from late-summer…
Fly Fishing the Smokies in September: A Local’s Guide to Cool Water and Quiet Streams
Something shifts in the water around Labor Day. The heat that’s pressed on these mountains since June finally loosens its grip, mornings carry a little…
Where to Cool Off: A Local’s Guide to Smoky Mountain Swimming Holes Near Cosby
By the middle of August, the creeks around Cosby are doing more work than the air conditioning. If you’ve spent an afternoon on the Foothills…
Elk in the Smoky Mountains: A Local’s Guide to the Fall Rut at Cataloochee and Oconaluftee
By the second week of September, the open fields on the North Carolina side of the park start making a sound you will not hear…
Cades Cove in Late Summer: A Local’s Guide to the Loop and Vehicle-Free Wednesdays
Cades Cove is the part of the Smokies almost everybody has seen a photo of — the wide green valley ringed by mountains, split-rail fences,…
Biking Cades Cove: A Local’s Guide to Vehicle-Free Wednesdays (2026)
There is a stretch of late summer when Cades Cove stops being a traffic jam and turns back into a valley. It happens every Wednesday,…
The Cosby Entrance to the Smoky Mountains: A Local’s Guide to the Quiet Side
By the first week of August, the pull-offs along Newfound Gap Road are full before nine in the morning, and the walk from your car…
7 Best Swimming Holes Near Gatlinburg to Beat the Summer Heat (2026 Guide)
A local’s guide to the creeks, pools, and hike-in swimming holes worth the drive this summer — plus a few we’re a little biased about.…
December in the Smoky Mountains
The holidays in the Smokies are pure magic — sparkling lights, cozy cabins, and festive cheer everywhere you go. Whether you’re strolling through Gatlinburg or…
Winter Cabin Rentals in the Smoky Mountains: Best Time to Book December & January
Planning a magical mountain escape? Whether you’re dreaming of snow-covered trees, crackling fires, or a hot tub under the stars, the winter cabin rentals in…