Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
SMOKIES GUIDE The Official Newspaper of the Smokies • Summer 2024
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Catawba rhododendron, a species typically found in the park’s highest elevations, blooms on a mountain ridge. High-elevation hikes are popular during summer months, but trailhead parking can fill quickly.
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l t a C am i ia t, lle B e n n et p e c lC om S m u n i c at i o n s
Words with a Ranger As a digital communications specialist, I help manage the park’s website, mobile app, and social media content. In a park this big, teamwork is key—many park employees help create our digital content so visitors can plan their trips, learn about the park, and find critical safety information. I am grateful to be part of such a collaborative workplace. Digital communications are essential both internally and externally, which means I get the chance to be plugged into everything, and I enjoy seeing and hearing about all the amazing work going on in the Smokies. We have so much to share—whether it’s the latest scientific discovery or an update about a reopened trail or a restored cabin. Continued on page 12
Explore More with a Shuttle This Summer Shuttle services offer a dependable transportation alternative
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lanning an adventure in the Smokies this summer but worried about finding a parking spot? Local shuttle services can take the uncertainty out of trip planning and guarantee a stress-free ride to the destination of your choice. Several local businesses offer shuttles to and from the park’s most popular hubs—including Newfound Gap, Alum Cave trailhead, and Rainbow Falls trailhead—where demand for parking regularly exceeds capacity. Some shuttles maintain a regular route and schedule, while others can be reserved for any time and pick-up or drop-off location. Prices generally range from $10 to $25 per person depending on the destination and provider, and services cater to single passengers as well as groups of up to 15. Summer can be a particularly busy time in the Smokies, where annual
OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA
visitation regularly exceeds that of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined. All vehicles parked anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for longer than 15 minutes must display a valid parking tag. Parking tags do not guarantee a specific parking spot in a specific location, and parking spaces continue to be available on a first come, first served basis. Mid-week and early mornings or late afternoons are usually the best times to secure parking, but if no spaces are available, visitors will need to try an alternative destination or time. For more information about shuttles and a list of authorized providers, visit go.nps.gov/grsmshuttles. Park staff cannot make shuttle reservations for visitors. The Backcountry Office offers additional trip-planning help at 865.436.1297. GreatSmoky MountainsNPS
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PARKING TAG REQUIRED! Parking in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes requires a valid parking tag (annual tag pictured). For more info, scan code with camera app
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