Our favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, says we are going to have another 6 weeks of winter. And here in Gatlinburg, that is easy to believe. So as a way to fight off the winter blues, we thought we would remind you (and ourselves) of all the great things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the winter.
1. Play in the Snow. I know this one is obvious, but I couldn’t very well neglect to mention it, could I? What happens if you get to Gatlinburg…and it snows? Well, you play in it, of course. What happens if you were hoping for snow and don’t see any when you get here? Well, you have to find the snow. Snowfalls of an inch or more occur on average only one to five times per year in the valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains although Gatlinburg has already had two of these snowfalls in December alone. In the high country, over five feet of snow falls most years. For all the best places to play in the snow, visit our snow post.
2. Tour the Waterfalls. Winter can be the best time for enjoying waterfalls. Waterfall flows are higher because of greater amounts of snow and rainfall. In addition, there is less uptake by forest plants. Waterfall views and opportunities for photography also improve after the trees have dropped their leaves. Visit our winter waterfall post for some of our favorites.
3. Take in the Wildlife. Winter is one of the best times for wildlife viewing in the Smokies. Once the trees have shed their leaves, views into the forest are much longer. Wildlife like elk and deer are active for longer periods during the daylight hours because of the cooler temperatures. What wildlife other than bear and dear might you see? Otter, bob-cat, red fox, gray fox, mink, red squirrel, coyote, and lots of birds. Visit our winter wildlife post for all the details.
4. Skiing Anyone? Ober Gatlinburg offers 8 ski trails serviced by two quad and one double chairlift which keeps you out of lift lines and on the slopes. When temperatures drop, their snow-making equipment blankets 100% of there slopes. Slopes are maintained with the latest in snow-grooming equipment to provide a smoother, more consistent surface creating enjoyable skiing conditions. For more information on skiing in Gatlinburg, visit our Let’s Go Skiing post.
5. Winter Wildflowers. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosts approximately 100 species of plants that are restricted to a single region of the park. Many of these species are only found in the southern Appalachian Mountains, but some have been documented only inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Think wildflowers only bloom in the Spring? Visit our wildflower post to find flowers year ’round.
So never fear…you can always find something to do in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains even in the dead of winter.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Pets are often like children in your family. You usually take your children on vacation with you so why not your pets?
A significant number of the 9 million + visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year bring along their 4-legged family members too.
This blog is sponsored in part by ERA In The Smokies Realty & Rentals, and they love pets, too. ERA In The Smokies sponsors our sister blog and website Gatlinburg Pet Friendly Cabins which dedicated solely to the traveling pet lover in us all. Now you don’t have to leave them at home.
ERA has recently added new cabins to the pet-friendly roster, and we thought you would like to know. Visit www.GatlinburgPetFriendlyCabins.com and take a look around. From pet activities to cabin coupons, GatlinburgPetFriendlyCabins.com will help you turn your family vacation into a pet-friendly family vacation.
Here’s a great excerpt from the Pet Fun page on the new Gatlinburg Pet Friendly Cabins.com:
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 miles of hiking trails and is the country’s most popular National Park. Dogs are welcome in the camp grounds, picnic areas & along roads, but your pet must be on a leash at all times. Pets should be well-behaved, and you must clean up after them.
Dogs are not allowed on most of the park’s extensive trails but are welcome on the Gatlinburg Trail. The Gatlinburg Trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg, TN. It is relatively flat and runs through the forest along side the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The trail offers beautiful views of the river, which is crossed by a pedestrian foot bridge. Foundations and chimneys of several old home sites are visible along the trail. The Oconaluftee River Trail is the second walking path on which visitors can walk dogs and bicycle.
This blog is sponsored in part by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
There is still snow on the ground, but Spring Break will be here before you know it. I know that many of you think of the beach for Spring Break, but I want to challenge you to consider a mountain trip this year.
Although you won’t get a sandy beach in the Gatlinburg area, you can easily find boardwalk style attractions and shopping. The traffic isn’t nearly as bad, and the weather is divine. You know you want to try something different…be brave and just do it. Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend Spring Break in the Smokies:
1. The Strip. We know that wandering “the Strip,” wherever it may be, is one of the biggest attraction to heading to the beach during Spring Break. The Gatlinburg area offers “The Strip” in more than one location! You can wander the Strip in Downtown Gatlinburg to take in cool attractions like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum or stop for a corn dog at Fanny Farkles Arcade. Or, you can head to Pigeon Forge and find the perfect Smoky Mountain T-shirt, stuffed bear or souvenir for the friend or family member that couldn’t make the trip. If neither of those options suit you, give the Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts District a try.
2. Go Karts. There are plenty of go kart tracks to choose from in Pigeon Forge, but we are particularly fond of The Track. Race the Wild Woody track–their three-story spiraling wooden track, or take a spin on the classic track with overpasses. With single and double-seated karts, everyone in the family can get in and go! The Kiddie and Rookie Karts are great for youngsters starting out. You only have to be 4 years old to drive!
3. Bungee Jumping. Are you or your kids looking for an unforgettable thrill on this year’s Spring Break?
While you are at The Track enjoying a ride on the Wild Woody go kart track, make sure you put on your brave face and take the 65-foot bungee jump plunge at The Track!
They guarantee it is the fastest ride in town!
4. Lazer Tag. Here’s a fun idea for the whole family. At Lazerport Fun Center, they offer the largest laser tag arena in the Great Smoky Mountains area. There are two arenas at over 7,000 square feet that offer the best most exhilarating and heart pounding fun and excitement that Pigeon Forge has to offer! Each game lasts for a period of 15 minutes each, and they run back to back games starting every 20 minutes! Whether you choose to play one, two, three or unlimited games, take the challenge today – test your skills against your friends and family alike!
5. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. This vertical wind tunnel that allows you to experience the freedom of human flight and is located at traffic light #5 in Pigeon Forge. As a flyer, participants attend a 20-minute training class, receive a suit, helmet & other safety equipment. Following a short review of the basics, a group of 5 flyers enters the wind tunnel with their instructor. Almost anyone can fly as long as you weigh at least 40 lbs. Watch this video for a preview of kids in flight. Link to pricing & coupons.
6. Roller Skating. When is the last time you went roller skating? If the idea conjures awkward images of retro fashions and braces, maybe it is time to try again. Spin City USA, the newest indoor Pigeon Forge attraction for family fun, is a state-of-the-art roller skating rink located in downtown Pigeon Forge. Spin City USA offers theme nights including retro skate and live entertainment by their own DJ for affordable fun, with holiday special events held throughout the year. When looking for fun things to do in on a rainy day, try Spin City Roller Rink.
7. Shopping. Interested in Outlet Malls? Try Tanger Outlets of Pigeon Forge for “Brands You Know. Choices You Want. Prices You’ll Love.”
I have a soft spot for a few of the Tanger Stores like Calvin Klein and Jones New York, but there is a little something for everyone from the kids (OshKosh B’gosh) to the teens (Aeropostale and rue 21) to the man of the family (Brooks Brothers and Nautica). There is even a great selection of lunch and dinner options.
8. Mini Golf. Hillbilly Golf is one of dozens of miniature golf options in the Gatlinburg area. Hillbilly Golf is the world’s most unusual miniature golf course. Ride the Incline 300 feet straight up to the mountain top above the city. Two challenging 18-hole courses await you. Both are riddled with mountaineer hazards from outhouses to stills, rocky walls and lush native plants. It’s great fun and excitement for the whole family. A truly unique adventure you won’t forget.
9. Pancake Houses. Pancake houses are to the Smoky Mountains what seafood shacks are to the the beach. You can find pancake houses everywhere, and the choices are endless. My favorite…the Pancake Pantry.
Since 1960 when the Pancake Pantry became Tennessee’s first pancake house, visitors to Gatlinburg have made dining with them a tradition. What keeps them coming back? It’s the real butter, the honest-to-goodness fresh whipped cream and everything made from scratch. Maybe you’ll select the Austrian Apple-Walnut Pancakes covered with a rich apple cider compote made with melted butter, black walnuts, apples and sweet spices and then topped with powdered sugar and real whipped cream. Want a sandwich instead? Try a Polish Aristocrat, Polynesian Delight or British Dipper among other distinctive choices.
10. Rent a Cabin. What could be better than the room to stretch out, a gameroom, indoor whirlpool tub, outdoor hot tub and the cool breeze of the Great Smoky Mountians?
How about getting it all in one place. Rent a family vacation cabin like At Trail’s End and enjoy the convenience of a home away from home while relaxing in comfort and style. The kids will love the gameroom–you’ll love having them hidden away IN the gameroom. Give it a try, but beware, you’ll never want to go back to staying in a hotel room again.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Looking for a special way to spend Valentine’s with your sweetheart? Come to the Gatlinburg, the Gateway to the Smoky Mountains, and spend a fun-filled romantic week or just the weekend. Whether you are looking to pop the question, get married, or just canoodle, Gatlinburg is bound to have the perfect thing for you to do or see. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Rent a Cabin. Nothing says romance like a little log cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking for a rustic cabin with a wood-burning fireplace or the lap of luxury with all the amenities, Gatlinburg offers all the options you can imagine.
Want to soak in a hot tub with a view? Try Misty Mountain View in the Smoky Mtn. Arts & Crafts Community. Want to enjoy a roaring fire while snuggled into your king-size bed? Try the Above the Rest–one of the cabins at Winfield Heights.
2. Winery Tours. Wine may not be the first thing that pops to mind when contemplating what to do in Gatlinburg, but Smoky Mountain Winery opened its doors in 1981. Take a free tour of the production facilities then follow it up with a free tasting of more than 20 available award-winning wines. Take a bottle home to remember your honeymoon, anniversary or romantic getaway weekend!
3. Ski Lodge. Love to ski? Ober Gatlinburg is a great destination for your winter skiing. Don’t ski? Give it a try in ski school. Nothing will bond the two of you like learning something new. And, if ski school doesn’t go well…you can always help nurse each other’s wounded pride.
4. Photography. When everyone has a digital camera, it is easy to forget about having professional portraits taken. Take the stress out of trying to find the perfect stranger walking by to take a picture of you and your honey on vacation. Gary Woods Photography offers location shoots. I love the composition in his outdoor portraits. Trust a professional and capture the memory for a lifetime.
5. Snow Snow Snow! What happens if you were hoping for snow and don’t see any when you get here? Well, you have to find the snow. Snowfalls of an inch or more occur on average only one to five times per year in the valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains although Gatlinburg has already had two of these snowfalls in December alone. In the high country, over five feet of snow falls most years. If the Newfound Gap Road has not been closed because of snow, a trip to Newfound Gap is your best bet for finding snow. Have fun and dress warm!
6. Have a Picnic. No–I haven’t lost my mind. I know it is too cold for most of you to be traipsing into the woods with a blanket and picnic basket. I propose you picnic in your cabin. Rent a movie, start a fire, and order take out from one of Gatlinburg’s great eateries. I recommend a big Italian feast from Best Italian (pictured left) or create your own gourmet picnic of hummus, specialty cheeses, olives and breads from our local Food City. Bon appetite!
7. Auto-Touring. Too cold to hike? Hiking not your idea of romance? Take an auto-tour. Enjoy some of the Smoky Mountains greatest sites from the comfort of your car.
Some of my favorite Auto-Touring trails are the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, and any section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fill up your tank and hit the open road.
8. Relax. Ready to get away from it all? Try spa services for the ultimate relaxing getaway. Whether you are looking for a pedicure and facial or a joint massage with aroma therapy, About You Salon offers a whole menu of services to suit your fancy.
Try their Signature Mountain Heritage Massage and 10% of the proceeds will go to Friends of the Smokies’ efforts to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
9. Dining for Two. A romantic meal that you don’t have to shop for or cook is always a welcome relief for the cook in your family. Trust me on this one. Gatlinburg restaurants abound.
Whether you are looking for a great steak like those at the Alamo Steakhouse, a gourmet breakfast from the Pancake Pantry, or a indulgent lunch from the Haufbrau House, there is a little something for everyone. By the way, if you love Italian food, Gatlinburg does it well over and over. Check out our Best Italian Food post!
10. Goin’ to the Chapel. Gatlinburg sees the second most weddings in the country each year (surprisingly just behind Las Vegas).
A simply ceremony at a cabin like Bear’s Den can help create a beautiful memory and a place to return for many years to come.
An elaborate wedding at one of the local chapels is easy to plan from afar. And, of course, you can always get married in the only Hard Rock Cafe in the world with a wedding chapel–the Hard Rock Gatlinburg.
Check out our Smoky Mountain Wedding post for more information.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Are you looking for an affordable way to fill the days of your Smoky Mountain Vacation? Day trips are a great solution. For the price of gas, a lot of destinations offer a full day of fun for little to no extra cash.
Our Great Gatlinburg Day Trips series has been very popular. The first Day Trips post included great trips like Oak Ridge and the Bristol Motor Speedway. Our second Day Trips post included a trip by both train and river boat. Our third installment covers favorite destinations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
1. Cades Cove. Any coverage of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is incomplete without mention of Cades Cove. Because winter is the off-season in the Smokies, it is a great time to visit Cades Cove, a destination that is frequently crowded in summer and fall. Deer are often sighted in the fields, and observations of other wildlife, including bear, wild turkey and coyote are possible. Please use pullouts when viewing wildlife. Never approach or feed animals. A wide array of historic buildings, some dating back to the mid-19th century, are scattered throughout the cove. These include a grist mill, a variety of barns, three churches, and a marvelous collection of log homes and outbuildings. An 11-mile one-way loop road takes you around the cove. A visitor center (open daily), restrooms, and Cable Mill historical area are located halfway around. Numerous trails start in the cove, including the 5-mile round trip trail to Abrams Falls and the short Cades Cove Nature Trail. Cades cove is located approximately 27 miles from Gatlinburg.
2. Big Creek. Until the damage caused by the rock slide on Interstate 40 is repaired sometime later in 2010, the Big Creek area is still very easily accessible from Tennessee, but not so easily accessible from most of North Carolina. However, since this will be a day trip for Gatlinburg for you, Big Creek still qualifies as a great destination from Gatlinburg especially if you love to hike. The area offers a variety of beautiful hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail, Big Creek, Chestnut Branch and Baxter Creek. By driving an additional seven miles on Old NC 284, you can also reach the Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail to Mt. Sterling fire tower and the Long Bunk Trail. Click here for more information on these less frequented trails. The stream-side Big Creek Picnic Area is open year-round. To get there from Gatlinburg, take I-40 to Exit 451 near the North Carolina border. Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River and continue 2.3 miles to the park entrance. Click on the map to the right to go to a large printable map. The Big Creek area is located approximately 37 miles from Gatlinburg.
3. Deep Creek. This area is an off-the-beaten-path destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrated for its rushing streams and waterfalls. Hikers enjoy the area because of the waterfalls and because there are several loop hikes to choose from. Mountain bikers can take advantage of one of the few park trails where bicycles are permitted. Click here for additional information about bicycling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Deep Creek area loop hikes include Juney Whank Falls (0.6 mile), Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles). Longer loop hikes are also possible. Bicycles are allowed on Deep Creek and Indian Creek trails to the points where the old roadbeds end and the trail treads begin. Deep Creek Picnic Area is open year-round. The Deep Creek Area is located approximately 48 miles from Gatlinburg.
4. Mountain Farm Museum. The Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum contains an impressive collection of original log buildings, including the Davis house, a large barn, spring house, smokehouse, corn crib, apple house, and more. Most of the historic structures were moved to the open-air museum from locations throughout the Smokies. The site also demonstrates historic gardening and agricultural practices, including fruit orchards. An inexpensive, self-guiding tour booklet is available. Two interesting walking trails start in the vicinity as well. The Oconaluftee River Trail is 1.5 miles long and features exhibits on Cherokee culture. Mingus Creek Trail starts near Mingus Mill (see picture above courtesy of http://avagabonde.blogspot.com). The Mountain Farm Museum is located approximately 32 miles from Gatlinburg.
5. Newfound Gap. In southern Appalachian vernacular, a gap is a low point in a mountain ridge. new Englanders call such places “notches” while westerners refer to them as mountain “passes.” At nearly a mile high (5,043 ft.), Newfound Gap is much cooler than the surrounding lowlands and receives more snow. on average, 69 inches of snow falls at the gap each year. When there is snow on the ground, and the Newfound Gap Road has not been closed because of it, opportunities do exist for snow sports in the area. Snowshoeing on the Appalachian Trail is one possibility. From the gap, one can proceed either north or south on the Appalachian Trail. A trip to Newfound Gap is a trip to the Canadian zone spruce-fir forest. This fragrant evergreen woodland is similar to the boreal forests of New England and eastern Canada. Newfound Gap is located approximately 16 miles from Gatlinburg.
Special thanks to the Smokies Guide, official newspaper of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for providing the “Places to Go” update.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
The National Park Service protects thousands of historic artifacts spanning some 10,000 years of human history in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Some of these include tools and projectile points from the American Early Archaic period, household goods, farm equipment (similar to the oxen yoke pictured left), quilts, and firearms from the 19th century settlement by European Americans, documents and photographs from the period of park establishment, and uniforms and tableware from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps.
A few of these objects are on display at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee. Others will be part of the exhibits at the new Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Museum (see the elevation pictured at right) slated for opening in 2011. The great majority, however, are stored in the park’s artifact collection and have never been on public display.
Recently, however, Great Smoky Mountains Association published a large format book titled Heirlooms & Artifacts of the Smokies: Treasures from the National Park’s Historical Collection. The book displays over 1,000 of the park’s objects in brilliant color photographs.
The text which accompanies the photos was written by former park historian Ed Trout and archaeologist Erik Kreusch. It describes each of the objects, explains how they were used, and relates their significance. The book is available at national park visitor center bookstores or on-line at SmokiesInformation.org .
Special thanks to the Smokies Guide, official newspaper of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for providing the artifacts update.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Winter can be the best time for enjoying waterfalls. Waterfall flows are higher because of greater amounts of snow and rainfall. In addition, there is less uptake by forest plants. Waterfall views and opportunities for photography also improve after the trees have dropped their leaves.
Here are some of our favorite waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Laurel Falls. Take a 2.5 mile round trip hike on the Laurel Falls Trail. The trail is paved all the way to the falls. The trailhead is 3.9 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road.
2. Hen Wallow Falls. Take a 4.5 mile round trip hike o the Gabes Mountain Trail which begins near the entrance to the Cosby Campground.
3. Waterfalls Loop. Take a 2.4 mile round trip hike starting from the parking area at the end of Deep Creek Road, beyond the Deep Creek Campground.
4. Rainbow Falls. This 5.5 mile round trip hike starts from the Rainbow Falls parking area on Cherokee Orchard Road in downtown Gatlinburg, TN.
The only waterfall visible from the road in winter is Meigs Falls located at post #6 on Little River Road. As always, be forewarned that rocks around waterfalls are extremely slippery.
Special thanks to the Smokies Guide, official newspaper of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for providing the winter waterfalls update.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Winter is one of the best times for wildlife viewing in the Smokies. Once the trees have shed their leaves, views into the forest are much longer. Wildlife like elk and deer are active for longer periods during the daylight hours because of the cooler temperatures.
Where are all the bears? Wildlife biologists estimate that over 1,500 black bears live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is a density greater than two bears per square mile. However, from mid-December until mid-March most bears are in their winter dens. These dens may be located high above the ground in cavities within old-growth trees, or in shallow excavations beneath boulders or tree root balls.
Black bears do not truly hibernate, though they do not eat or drink for most of the winter. Occasionally they will stir from their dens and wander around, especially during warmer weather. Cubs are born in January or February and weight less than a pound.
Where can I go to see elk? Elk were reintroduced in the Smokies in 2001 and 2002. Since that time, their numbers have grown to over 100.
By far the best place to see elk is Cataloochee Valley, though it requires some travel on a narrow, winding road which may be closed because of snow.
The 2nd best place to see elk is between Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Smokemont Campground, located along Newfound Gap Road. Male elk generally keep their impressive antlers at least through February.
Where can I see deer? Cades Cove is the best place to see white-tailed deer all year. Some folks count over 100 as they drive the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop. Other places to view deer are Elkmont, Sugarlands & Deep Creek areas. Males usually keep their antlers until early spring. NOTE: Cades Cove Loop Road will close on March 1st for paving & repairs.
What other wildlife might we see? Otter (especially around Cades Cove and Abrams Creek), bob-cat, red fox, gray fox, mink, red squirrel, coyote, and lots of birds.
Special thanks to the Smokies Guide, official newspaper of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for providing the winter update.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
Thanks to ERA In The Smokies, you could win a free 3-Night Stay in a beautiful Gatlinburg cabin! To be eligible for the March 31st drawing, just click on the become our friend on MySpace.
Everyone that has been confirmed as our MySpace friend by March 31st will be included in the drawing to be held April 1st, 2010. If you are already our friend, you are already eligible.
By becoming our friend on MySpace, you’re sure never to miss the latest news about the Smokies.
The winner will receive a gift certificate for a free 3-Night stay from ERA In The Smokies. (December winners Chris & Vicki Stone pictured left.)
The gift certificate cannot be used during July, October or around holidays. The folks at ERA In The Smokies will work to find the perfect cabin for the winner–no catches or strings. We want you to love the Great Smoky Mountains as much as we do.
Our MySpace profile page looks like the large image posted at the bottom of this page.
To become our friend, send a friend request by clicking “Add to Friends” (pictured right) found in the top right hand corner of our MySpace profile.
If you simply can’t wait for a vacation until the April 1st drawing, you can always check out ERA In The Smokies’ up to the minute Specials, Discounts & Deals and book your reservation today! Call 1-800-309-0277 or email if you have any questions!
The 33-mile long Newfound Gap Road is the main automobile route through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It crosses the crest of the Smoky Mountains at Newfound Gap to connect Gatlinburg and Cherokee. Drive time is typically one hour. Now that the rock slide on I-40 has blocked the interstate passage to Gatlinburg from east, the route from Cherokee has become even more important to visitors.
Newfound Gap Road was engineered in the 1930s specifically so motorists could optimally experience the spectacular mountain vistas and tremendous diversity of forest types for which the Great Smokies are famous. The route was carefully constructed to blend in with the natural landscape and to take full advantage of the scenery. Numerous pull-outs are located along the road, offering travelers views of the Great Smokies and adjacent mountain ranges.
At Newfound Gap, where the road reaches its highest point, temperatures are frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in Cherokee or Gatlinburg. The higher elevations of the park also receive considerably more precipitation than the surrounding valleys. Annually, Newfound Gap records over five feet of snow. This combination of low temperatures and high precipitation results in periodic episodes of hazardous driving conditions from November to April.
For safety, the Park imposes certain restrictions driving when Newfound Gap and other roads are snow or ice covered. Signs are posted at both ends of the road informing drivers of current restrictions. For example: Chains or 4WD Required, Chains Required, and Road Closed.
For current road and weather conditions, call (865)436-1200. Extension 630 for Weather Conditions. Extension 631 for Road Conditions.
For alternate routes, see the map below:
Click on the map to see a larger version
Special thanks to the Smokies Guide, official newspaper of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for providing the winter update.
This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.
