Welcome to the Great Smokies Blog
Stories From The Smokies highlights interesting, out-of-the-ordinary aspects of life in the North Carolina mountains. We offer insider tips on things to do, places to go, and ways to make your Bryson City visit all the more memorable. Look for new posts in this space every few weeks. Or subscribe to receive updates by email.
Autumn in Bryson City – the Spectacular Grand Finale of Summer Fun in the Smokies
Fall exploration will lead you to the Bryson City area of North Carolina, including “The Road to Nowhere.” Tucked in iconic mountains, Bryson City, NC has a vibrant fall leaf viewing season, which you can enjoy while hiking, fishing, biking or riding the rails. It’s a...
These 6 Unique Places To Stay In Bryson City Are Perfect To Get Away From It All
Traveling is fun, but where you stay is just as important. In the Great Smoky Mountains of Bryson City, NC, there are a few places to spend the night that really stand out. You can sleep in a vintage camper, or a yurt or tiny house on a creek. If you like your stay...
There’s Much to Discover About One Bryson City Visitor Who Helped Create the National Park
Horace Kephart's grave. Photo: plugitinhikes. An icon of the Southern Appalachian region, Horace Kephart (1862-1931) is best known for his efforts to protect the Smoky Mountains as a national park. He was also vigilant in efforts to establish the Appalachian Trail...
In Bryson City, Three People Pushed a 177-ton Locomotive
At the end of many steam excursions on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, riders have the opportunity to participate in a unique railroad turntable experience. Volunteers are called upon to assist the crew in manually turning the 353,540 pound engine and tender while...
Few People Know This Cemetery Exists Near a Treasured Landmark in the Smokies
A lot of people who visit Mingus Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have no idea that there is a burial ground for enslaved people on the grounds. It is not known exactly who is buried here. There are no names or dates or head stones, just rocks that mark...
Take This Mini Road Trip to Capture Some of the Best Photography in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most diverse and photogenic landscapes in the United States. Verdant forests, long range mountain views, beautiful streams and serene valleys make this...
Five Awesome Adventures You Can Only Have In Bryson City
Deep Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park A favorite family destination for generations, the Deep Creek Recreation Area is just 5 minutes from downtown Bryson City. An easy 2.5-mile round trip hike takes you to three majestic waterfalls. Or just take the...
The Sublime Pleasure of Winter Trout Fishing
“Winter fly fishing in the Smokies is about the most peaceful activity that you can do, especially if it snows,” says Eugene Shuler, lead guide and owner of Fly Fishing the Smokies fly shop in Bryson City.
What’s It Like to Ride The Polar Express?
By the time this holiday season ends, more than 90,000 Bryson City visitors will have ridden The Polar Express, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ‘s seasonal attraction that brings the classic children’s story to life.
Soco Falls – Two Falls, Too Beautiful
Soco Falls is a spectacular double waterfall on the Cherokee Indian Reservation just off US-19 between Cherokee and Maggie Valley. The falls are about 10 miles east of Cherokee and 5.5 mile west of Maggie Valley Maggie Valley. If you’re driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, exit at Soco Gap (Milepost 455.7) and go about 1.5 miles west on US-19 toward Cherokee.
A Fontana Spectacle – Opening the Sluice Gates
Most of the time, Fontana Dam just quietly goes about its job of generating hydroelectricity for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Built in the 1940s, the 480 foot concrete structure is the tallest dam in the eastern United States, empounding the 10,230-acre Fontana...
Seven Things You May Not Know About Mingus Mill
Just north of Cherokee NC in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits a historic grist mill, Mingus Mill. Nestled on the banks of Mingus Creek, this beautiful mill still stands at its original location since 1886. Mingus Mill served the surrounding communities for...
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