Smoky Mountain Valentine’s Day Events

Mountain Valentine Events will make your love light shine bright!

Smoky Mountain Valentine’s Events will make your love light shine bright!

Smoky Mountain Valentine’s Day Events. Valentine’s Day is always a special event in the Smokies and this year’s romantic day falls on Thursday, February 14, 2019 (hint, hint guys and ladies), allowing time for a memorable three day weekend in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Here are a couple of great ideas for you and your special someone.

Appalachian Bear Rescue Valentine’s Dinner

Saturday, February 9, 2019. In addition to a great meal, this evening also provides an opportunity to support the Smokies iconic Black Bear rescue facility. The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. at The Abbey In Townsend, TN. The Abbey is a new, unique, and delicious venue in Townsend, TN. Reservations, which cost $30.00 per person, includes non-alcoholic drinks, a salad, a pasta entree, and dessert. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the $30.00 cost but will be available for purchase at The Abbey. For reservations or more information call Lisa at 865-227-8543 or email Appbearevents@gmail.com.

Help Appalachian Bear Rescue and HeySmokies save a cub!

Help Appalachian Bear Rescue and HeySmokies save a cub!

The event benefits Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) whose mission is to rescue orphaned black bear cubs and return them to the wild.  ABR was founded in 1989 by a concerned group of volunteers, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in early 1991 to make a difference in the lives of orphaned bears.

Orphaned bears lucky enough to make it to ABR receive a second chance at life in the wild. To date ABR has taken in 269 cubs and yearlings. Volunteers work diligently improving the facility to provide the best possible care for each bear needing a new lease on life.

 

 

Valentine’s Hike at Seven Islands State Birding Park

February 14, 2019 

5:45 pm – 7:15 pm

Seven Islands is for lovers this Valentine’s Day with a sunset hike up the Hickory Ridge Trail.
Lace up your boots, grab your significant other and enjoy the romance of one of Mother Nature’s most precious gifts with this rare event.

This hike will be moderately strenuous, gaining almost 300 feet in elevation in .6 miles. Hikers are urged to bring cameras as the trail offers opportunities for amazing photos. Seven Islands, which closes at sunset, is offering visitors a rare chance to visit after hours. A beautiful Valentine’s Day sunset at Seven Islands is a must share with your special someone.

Closed toe shoes and weather appropriate attire are recommended. This out-and-back hike begins at the park entrance Bluebird Barn and is approximately 1.2 miles in length.

Pre-registration is required and costs $5.00. To register visit Seven Islands.

Seven Islands State Birding Park is located at 2809 Kelly Lane
Kodak, TN 37764. For more information or questions call (865) 407-8335.

 

 

 

Smoky Mountain Visitors Centers Open MLK Weekend

Smoky Mountain visitors centers open for MLK holiday weekend

Smoky Mountain visitors centers open for MLK holiday weekend

Smoky Mountain Visitors Centers Open MLK Weekend. Friends of the Smokies will temporarily fund the reopening of Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, N.C., Friday through Monday, Jan. 18-21, 2019.

Visitation to the park usually increases during these dates due to the Martin Luther King, Jr.  holiday. Both visitor centers will be open Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Following the closure Monday evening, the two visitor centers will again close until federal funding is restored and the park fully reopens.

“We are proud to commit funding for the visitor centers and restrooms to reopen during the holiday weekend in order for rangers to provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience,” Friends of the Smokies Executive Director Tim Chandler said. “Any opportunity to work with our partners to preserve and protect America’s most-visited national park is a welcome one, and Friends of the Smokies stands at the ready to provide further support.”

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Ober Gatlinburg Winter Events Take The Chill Off

Ober Gatlinburg winter fun! Photo credit - Knox News Sentinel

Ober Gatlinburg winter fun! Photo credit – Knox News Sentinel

Ober Gatlinburg Winter Events Take The Chill Off. Get geared up for four great winter events at everyone’s favorite Gatlinburg ski destination. There is fun for the entire family this winter in the Smoky Mountains.

Ober Rocks

Ober Rocks throwback event presented by 103.5 WIMZ! Friday, January 25th, 2019 Ober Gatlinburg hosts the Ober Rocks Ski Session from 8pm-Midnight! Live Music will be played in the Lounge with DJ Slopeside laying down the beat and Pepper Palace will spice things up with a HOT WING EATING contest! Event sponsor Sierra Nevada will  cool your buds with traditional ales and lagers.

This rocking night is affordable for all!

$10.35 Ski Area Lift Ticket (8pm-MIDNIGHT!)
$10.35 Lesson
$10.35 Rentals
9pm Snow Tubing Session (tubing session will only be available if conditions are favorable.  Tickets will be sold on-site only $25/per person).

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Some Great Smoky Mountain National Park Facilities Open Despite Government Shutdown

Smoky Mountain Park Closure update.

Smoky Mountain Park Closure update.

Some Great Smoky Mountain National Park Facilities Open Despite Government Shutdown. Beginning Sunday January 13, 2019 some basic services to visitors will reopen using revenue generated by recreational fees. Limited visitor services including  restrooms and campgrounds will be available for park visitors.

The use of Federal Land and Recreation Enhancement Act funds will bring maintenance crews back to work to maintaining roads. Crews will reopen and maintain restrooms at Cades Cove campground, Smokemont Campground and the Deep Creek picnic area. Crews will also be dispatched to clear and reopen Litlle River Road between Metcalf Bottoms and the Townsend Wye. The Section of road has been closed for over two weeks due to reported downed trees and a rock slide. The restrooms at Newfound Gap and Cades Cove will remain open after emergency funds provided by Friends of the Smokies are depleted. The Great Smoky Mountain Association is also donating services to reopen the Cable Mill Visitor Center in Cades Cove. Thanks to a preexisting contract prior to the shutdown the dumpsters will continue to emptied. Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitors Centers will remain closed.

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Smoky Mountain Park Facilities Close With Government Shutdown

"Visitors are going to be on their own until the shutdown ends," Laurel Rematore, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), CEO.

“Visitors are going to be on their own until the shutdown ends,” Laurel Rematore, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), CEO.

Smoky Mountain Park Facilities Close With Government Shutdown.

“Visitors are going to be on their own until the shutdown ends,” said Laurel Rematore, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), CEO. “We are encouraging people visiting the park to prepare for a lack of public use facilities such as restrooms, trash pickup and visitor center staffing.“

GSMA (a nonprofit partner of the Smokies) had been providing short term funding to the park which ended January 1st. The association provided a $51,000.00 donation which kept 15 rangers on the job and the Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cove visitors centers open through the holidays.

"Sorry folks park facilities are closed!" National Lampoon's Vacation.

“Sorry folks park facilities are closed!” National Lampoon’s Vacation.

One park visitor told HeySmokies, “It feels like that moment in the Chevy Chase comedy favorite “Vacation” where the  entire family has driven across county in the family truckster to Wally World only to find the park closed. This time it is no joke though.”

 

 

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