Latest news stories from around the Great Smoky Mountains.
The temperature hovered around zero when Phil Basak and two other rangers from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park headed down a section of the Appalachian Trail. Three hikers from South Carolina, unprepared for the cold and snow, were stuck along the trail. Basak and the other rangers trekked about six and a half miles
The cause of death remains undetermined for a North Carolina man who died while boating on the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River last week, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials. Kenneth C. Worthington, 53, of Apex, N.C., had been paddling a whitewater canoe on the river in the Greenbrier section park
Black bears in Western North Carolina have been getting a bad rap lately, but in a bit of positive news for the beleaguered bruins, they — or rather, their image — have been bringing in big bucks to help projects and programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. >> Read Complete Article
A North Carolina man drowned while kayaking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Thursday, according to officials. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Kenneth C. Worthington, of Apex, N.C., was paddling the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River in the Greenbrier section of the park when he capsized about 6:20 p.m., according to
The rescue of a hiker stranded overnight on Alum Cave ended with a helicopter and began when two Knoxville hikers heard her cries for help. David Roy, 32, and Mat Merten 36, were hiking Saturday evening on the Alum Cave Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when they stopped at the bluffs to
Never been hiking with your kids? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is presenting a series of programs this summer to help introduce families to hiking in the park. These ranger led programs will give you advice on how to prepare for a hike, what to take, what to watch out for, and some fun activities
A man who was found dead inside a historic church in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was stabbed 19 times, according to a medical examiner’s report. The body of Tyler Britton Gaddis, 25, of Whittier, was found inside Smokemont Baptist Church on March 29. The church, also known as Luftee Baptist Church, is off U.S.
The body discovered Monday (June 8) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Greenbrier section has been identified as missing Sylva hiker Jenny Bennett, 62. Bennett’s body was found on the Tennessee side of the park in the Lester Prong area above Campsite 31. Park officials have not released any information regarding the cause of Bennett’s
Officials in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed several trails and backcountry campsites after a bear encounter that left a teenager hurt. A 16-year-old boy from Ohio was hurt Saturday night when a bear pulled him from his hammock, park officials said. It happened about 10:30 p.m. at backcountry campsite 84 in the Hazel
It’s a special time in the Great Smoky Mountains national park when you can see a unique type of firefly. These fireflies are different than the ones you see in your backyard because they synchronize their flashing light patterns. “If you picture a Christmas tree blinking simultaneously and then they just stop. It’s beautiful. It’s
