GSM Travel

Tips and Places to View The Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage

Here are some great tips and places to view the Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage The highest elevation above 4,000 feet peak first about the first 2 weeks of October. Elevations in the 2000-3000 feet range peak about mid to late October or even early November. But the Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers such a large area of land there is always somewhere at peak or near peak as you travel in the park. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park mountain ranges have elevations from just over 875 feet to 6,643 feet. So a trip to view the fall color show…
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The Island at Pigeon Forge Has Something For Everyone-Food Fun and Shopping

While visiting the Great Smoky Mountains make sure to go to Pigeon Forge. The Island at Pigeon Forge just keeps growing with new restaurants, shops and activities. Places to eat at The Island are Timberwood Grill, Margaritaville, Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Island Yogurt, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and The Island Creamy serving ice cream and smoothies. You can even shop at places like Tervis tumblers, Build a Bear and The Island Trading Post. Coming soon will be Margaritaville Coffee and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. Paula Deens Family Kitchen is due to open in the late fall of this year. Her new restaurant will…
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National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration at Dollywood This Fall

National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration The end of summer is fast approaching. Thoughts of cooler days and crisp cool nights are right around the corner. Dollywood’s  annual National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration will be starting soon. This year’s dates for the festival are September 22 – November 1, 2014. Six weeks of free southern gospel music concerts included in the regular price of a Dollywood admission ticket. Southern gospel music at its best along with all the other exciting shows, rides and food at Dollywood. And the annual fall foliage show in the Great Smoky Mountains will be here…
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Black Bear Sightings in Great Smoky Mountains Not Unusual

This year has seen an increase in black bear activity and black bear sightings in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is very exciting to see a black bear while riding through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people pull their cars over or just stop causing a road hazard. Please remember to take precautions if you are in the Great Smoky Mountains and see a bear: stay back, do not run after or engage with the bear, do not feed, and do not interfere with the bears’s progress. Just observe from a distance. Use your zoom setting on the…
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Wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains

When traveling in or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park some great places to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains are Cades Cove, Cataloochee and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail because of the open fields where viewing is easier to spot the wildlife. Common wildlife seen in these area are deer, racoon, wild turkey, and black bear. The best time of day to go for wildlife viewing are early in the morning and late in the evening. Remember to view from at least 150 feet away so as not to disturb the wildlife which is a federal violation. And NEVER FEED…
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Interstate 40 Closure North Carolina Mountains June 5, 2014 for Rock Removal

Interstate 40 closure North Carolina mountains planned for Thursday June 5,f 2014. Part of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina and Tennessee boarder will be closed by NCDOT on Thursday June 5, 2014 for most of the day. There was a rock fall last week near I-40 mile marker 8 in Haywood County in North Carolina. The I-40 closure is needed so workers can remove boulders and rocks in order of preventing further rock slides from occurring. All lanes of I-40 will be closed until late Thursday night from exit 20 in NC to exit 451 in TN. Travelers should…
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Headed to the Great Smoky Mountains for Memorial Day Weekend 2014 – Stay Safe

This Memorial Day weekend 2014 holiday will be a busy one. If you are planning on any travel this weekend make sure you stay safe. And remember to use your seat beat, don’t speed and don’t text and drive! Law enforcement officers are having a NC statewide “Click It or Ticket”  campaign for the busy holiday weekend. So hit the road and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains-just do it safely! Have fun! Every seat, every time as the video says…

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US Highway 441 a Nice Drive This Time of Year

US Highway 441 between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC is a great drive this time of year. The highway goes right through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and connects North Carolina and Tennessee. With the trees turning green and the wild flowers blooming this is a great time to enjoy a ride through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are also a lot of stops along the route for hiking, a picnic or some beautiful pictures at an overlook. The weather for the rest of the week is suppose to be really nice. Get  out and enjoy this…
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