Info On Townsend,TN And The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Townsend/Great Smoky Mountains

~General Information for Townsend, Tennessee~

City of Townsend –history, services, local government, city council minutes and links Townsend, Tennessee.

The Townsend Chamber of Commerce

Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau (Townsend Visitor’s Center) - Smoky Mountains and Townsend Events

~Townsend Area Attractions~

Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum

Passion Play in the Smokies

Wood ‘n Strings Dulcimer Shop Pickin’ Porch –free music every Saturday evening, seasonal.

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

Mary E. Tippitt Memorial Library

~Great Smoky Mountains Information~

Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau (Townsend Visitor’s Center) - Smoky Mountains and Townsend Events

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park -official National Park Service website.

Fees and Reservations

Seasonal Road Schedule

Seasonal Facilities Schedule -campgrounds, picnic areas

Great Smoky Mountains Temporary Road and Facilities Closures

Roadwork: US-441 (Newfound Gap Road) repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 16, 2009 through September 2010.
- Up until June 15 lane-closures can take place around the clock during the week, but will not be allowed between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends, holidays, or during Easter Week (April 10 through April 19). Weekends are defined as noon on Friday through 8:00 a.m. on Monday.
- From June 15 through August 15 no closures will be permitted at all between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- From August 16, 2009 through June 15, 2010, daytime lane closures will again be allowed except on weekends, and holidays. No work of any kind will be permitted during the month of October, on the day after Thanksgiving, or from December 23 through January 2.
- During periods when single lane closures are allowed the contractor may close up to four areas at a time but delays at each closure may not exceed 10 minutes at each location.
- The Park has set up a new toll-free recording to provide current information on the status of any lane closures: 1-888-355-1849.

Backcountry Facilities -For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1231.
- Campsites Closed: Backcountry Campsites #10, #15, #40, #93.
Wildfires Information

Cades Cove -information about Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May 6 – Sept. 23 to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy the cove.
Cades Cove Loop Road and Laurel Creek Road to be Closed for Concert – On Saturday, June 13, 2009 the Loop Road road will open to all motor vehicles at sunrise (around 6:30 a.m.) and close at noon to all vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. The normal Saturday morning road closure for bicycle and pedestrian use on that Saturday will not be in effect. Laurel Creek Road will close at noon to all vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Great Smoky Mountains Association -a nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to support the Park’s educational, scientific, and historical programs and to enhance public enjoyment and understanding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

~Smoky Mountains and Townsend Area News~

Maryville Daily Times –news and info for Blount County,Tennessee

Townsend News Courant –covering Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove

The Valley Voice –community news and events for Wears Valley, in Sevier County, Tennessee

Sevier County News –online news site for Sevier County, Tennessee

Knoxville News Sentinel –Knoxville, Tennessee and surrounding area news, including the Great Smoky Mountains

WBIR TV –Knoxville, Tennessee and surrounding area news

~Smoky Mountains and Townsend Area Events~

Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary

Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival in Townsend, June 5th-6th, 2009

Synchronous Firefly Viewing Information At Elkmont, June 6-14, 2009

Firefly Festival at The Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg, June 6th, 2009

75th Anniversary outdoor concert performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra on June 13, 2009

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~Maps of The Smoky Mountains~

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Maps -park map, trail map, map of region and campground maps.

Quadrangle Maps of Great Smoky Mountains National Park -topographical maps from USGS

~Hiking, Fishing and More in the Smokies~

Hiking in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and TN – NC Smokies -list of hiking trails in the Park, Appalachian Trail sections in the Park, live hiking and field updates

Local Hiking clubs in the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding area

Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Information

Daily Fishing Report for Townsend and The Smoky Mountains

Bicycling in The Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding area

Place Names of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

~Science and Education in The Great Smoky Mountains~

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont -adult and family programs, Citizen Science program, day hikes, summer camps for children, school programs, college programs and teacher training.

Discover Life in America: Great Smoky Mountains All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory -activities, lessons, links, resources, workshops for teachers, programs for students and the public and internships available.