Tag: Friends of the Smokies
Volunteer as a ‘Friends Ambassador’
December 20, 2024
Calling all Friends of the Smokies enthusiasts! We’re looking for passionate volunteers to represent Friends of the Smokies at community[…]
Read MoreDecember 2024 Friends of the Smokies Newsletter
December 3, 2024
by Jim Matheny Hello, Friends! To have this monthly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up! We want[…]
Read MoreCades Cove Loop Lope nets more than $90,000 for Smokies
December 2, 2024
by Jim Matheny The 2024 Cades Cove Loop Lope netted more than $90,000 to benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.[…]
Read MoreSupport our N.C. gateway Friends during a time of need
November 21, 2024
(Updated Nov. 27, 2024) As the national park’s gateway communities in Western North Carolina work to recover from the devastation[…]
Read MoreNovember 2024 Friends of the Smokies Newsletter
November 5, 2024
by Jim Matheny Hello, Friends! To have this monthly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up! We want[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever Hikes Recap: Appalachian Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Clingmans Dome (Aug. 13, 2024)
August 22, 2024
by Danny Bernstein The August “challenging” Trails Forever Hike was a twofer around Clingmans Dome. Continuing the flexible theme for[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever Hikes recap: Noland Creek Trail
July 16, 2024
by Danny Bernstein There are several reasons to love the Noland Creek Trail. It is an easy trail on an[…]
Read MoreMeet the Trails Forever Hike Advisory Team
June 25, 2024
Meet our hike advisory team! These volunteers make the Trails Forever Hikes happen by helping lead and sweep the hikes.[…]
Read More2024 ‘Plein Air Smokies’ artists, soiree, and quick draw announced
May 23, 2024
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Get ready for a week of fantastic artists painting scenes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plein[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever Hikes recap: Mountains-to-Sea Trail
May 20, 2024
by Danny Bernstein When hiking in the Smokies, flexibility is almost as important as hiking ability. The Trails Forever Hike[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever Hikes recap: Porters Creek in the rain
April 12, 2024
by Danny Bernstein April showers bring May flowers. But first they bring a lot of rain. The first hike in[…]
Read More‘Trails Forever Hikes’ Hiking Program
March 15, 2024
by Danny Bernstein Spring is almost here and so is the Friends of the Smokies (FOTS) hiking program. This year,[…]
Read MoreAnderson Design Group Interviews Friends of the Smokies CEO!
March 5, 2024
Our President and CEO at Friends of the Smokies, Dana Soehn, had a chance to share what makes our park[…]
Read MoreNancy East and Chris Ford complete Tour de Smokies; their PSAR fundraising continues
November 13, 2020
by Julie Dodd Nancy “Seal Mom” East and Chris “Pacer” Ford completed their Tour de Smokies by walking through an[…]
Read More2019 Classic Hikes of the Smokies
January 12, 2019
by Julie Dodd Start planning now to join the 2019 Classic Hikes of the Smokies. The hikes are each Tuesday[…]
Read MoreSnow changes December Classic Hike destination
December 21, 2018
by Julie Dodd Snow closed US 441 through the Smokies, but that didn’t keep FOTS hikers from getting in a[…]
Read MoreDouble your Donation on #GivingTuesday
November 15, 2018
For the past few years, Friends of the Smokies has participated in #GivingTuesday, a worldwide movement to encourage people to[…]
Read MoreGSMNP high school internship program provides career insights and inspiration
September 15, 2018
Stuart Hemmer-Skidmore, a senior at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences in Asheville, NC, participated in the Great Smoky[…]
Read MoreCades Cove provides special hikes & views for Classic Hike of Smokies two-day event
July 10, 2018
by Julie Dodd Friends of the Smokies held a special Classic Hikes of the Smokies two-day event, June 11-12, in[…]
Read MoreMy Volunteer Experience with FOTS
June 3, 2018
Guest blog post courtesy of Mary Duggan, University of Tennessee ’18 My name is Mary Duggan and for the past[…]
Read More“Everybody’s National Parks” explores the Smokies
May 9, 2018
Everybody’s National Parks is a podcast dedicated to family adventure in our national parks and a few weeks ago, I[…]
Read More2018 Classic Hikes of the Smokies
February 16, 2018
by Julie Dodd The Classic Hikes of the Smokies series, starting its eighth year, offers a way to hike trails[…]
Read More5 Things to Do If Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Shut Down
January 19, 2018
Updated: Monday, January 22, 11:00am Please understand that if you visit GSMNP during a government shut down, services will be[…]
Read MoreHikers explore Elkmont area for December Classic Hike
January 2, 2018
by Julie Dodd The Classic Hikes of the Smokies wrapped up 2017 with a hike in Elkmont on Dec. 14.[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever restores Rainbow Falls Trail
December 14, 2017
by Josh Shapiro Trails Forever Crew Supervisor 2017 was a productive year on Rainbow Falls Trail. The NPS Trails Forever[…]
Read MoreNovember Classic Hike includes tunnel on ‘Road to Nowhere’
December 1, 2017
The November Classic Hike of the Smokies was led by Gracia Slater, who lacks just three short hikes to complete[…]
Read MoreThe park needs you this Giving Tuesday
November 21, 2017
By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Giving Tuesday in the news or on social media. Following Black Friday and[…]
Read MoreFOTS hikers explore historic Lakeshore Trail area
November 9, 2017
by Julie Dodd Friends of the Smokies hikers had the opportunity to explore trails in the Fontana Lake area and[…]
Read MoreParks as Classrooms helps students discover GSMNP, develop appreciation for Park
October 18, 2017
by Julie Dodd Helping elementary, middle school and high school students who live in counties near the Great Smoky Mountains[…]
Read MoreRainbow Falls restoration work underway
August 30, 2017
by Julie Dodd The Trails Forever crew is hard at work restoring the Rainbow Falls Trail, one of the popular[…]
Read MoreGSMNP high school summer internship provides life changing experience
July 31, 2017
by Bryce Trull Blount County High School Five Tennessee high school students participated in a four-week summer internship that focuses[…]
Read MoreAlum Cave Trail improvements highlight July Classic Hike of the Smokies
July 25, 2017
Steve Pierce was the hike leader for the July Classic Hike of the Smokies to Mt. Le Conte. Steve has[…]
Read MoreVolunteer with Friends of the Smokies events to support GSMNP
July 7, 2017
by Julie Dodd Volunteer to help Friends of the Smokies at two upcoming fundraising events that will support the Great[…]
Read MoreGreat views from Charlies Bunion highlight June Classic Hike
June 27, 2017
Steve Winchester was the hike leader for the June Classic Hike of the Smokies. Steve and his wife, Judy, both[…]
Read MoreAlum Cave Trail restoration improves hiking experience
June 15, 2017
by Julie Dodd An added bonus of a recent hike to Mt. Le Conte was being able to see the[…]
Read MoreWildflowers on Big Creek Trail for April Classic Hike of the Smokies
April 25, 2017
by Julie Dodd The April Classic Hike of the Smokies, on April 11, was Big Creek Trail and provided the[…]
Read MoreParks As Classrooms: So Much More Than a Field Trip
April 13, 2017
Kelsey Reese is an Ecology and Biology teacher at Fulton High School in Knox County, TN who recently took her[…]
Read MoreMingus Creek Trail launches 2017 Classic Hikes of the Smokies
April 1, 2017
by Julie Dodd A hike on the Mingus Creek Trail launched the 2017 Classic Hikes of the Smokies. Thirty-two hikers[…]
Read MoreSmokies Centennial Hike 100 Challenge inspires & promotes service to park
March 10, 2017
by Julie Dodd More than 2,275 hikers completed the Smokies Centennial Hike 100 Challenge to celebrate the 100th anniversary of[…]
Read MoreClassic Hikes of Smokies 2017 schedule
February 21, 2017
by Julie Dodd The Classic Hikes of the Smokies 2017 hiking season begins on March 14 March 28, with a hike[…]
Read MoreGiving Thanks and #GivingTuesday
November 23, 2016
This time of year, we can’t help but be reminded of all the wonderful things we have to be thankful[…]
Read MoreNoland Creek Trail — November’s Classic Hike
November 18, 2016
by Julie Dodd The November Classic Hike of the Smokies was on a beautiful fall day — ten miles on[…]
Read MoreClassic Hikes of Smokies help hikers add miles toward Hike 100 Challenge
October 25, 2016
by Julie Dodd Hikers can add 10 miles toward the Hike 100 Challenge by joining the Friends of the Smokies Classic[…]
Read MoreAlum Cave Trail restoration work nears completion
October 7, 2016
by Julie Dodd Restoration work on the Alum Cave Trail, one of the most popular trails in the Smokies, will[…]
Read MoreMt. Cammerer provides view for Classic Hike of the Smokies
September 21, 2016
Mt. Cammerer was the goal for the FOTS Classic Hike of the Smokies on Sept. 13, with the Mt. Cammerer[…]
Read MoreCelebrating 100 Years of America’s Best Idea
August 25, 2016
When President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act on August 25, 1916, there were only 35 national parks in[…]
Read MoreSummer internship program offers opportunity to explore GSMNP and NPS career options
August 5, 2016
by Hannah Ensley GSMNP Intern Senior at Pisgah High School — Canton, North Carolina If you live in the Eastern[…]
Read MoreClassic Hikes of the Smokies – Charlies Bunion and Mt. Sterling
July 25, 2016
by Julie Dodd Hikers of the Classic Hikes of the Smokies for June and July added 15.4 miles toward the[…]
Read MoreVolunteer with Trails Forever Crew on Alum Cave Trail
June 26, 2016
by Julie Dodd Being a Trails Forever crew volunteer is a great way to be a part of restoring some of the[…]
Read MoreClingmans Dome Restoration: What’s it all about?
June 17, 2016
For the last few weeks, we’ve been pushing you all to vote for Clingmans Dome in a grant competition hosted[…]
Read MoreWelcome to the team, Marielle!
June 6, 2016
As you may know from our previous blog posts, we have had some exciting staffing changes in our North Carolina[…]
Read MoreHyatt Ridge Trail provides challenge
May 23, 2016
by Julie Dodd Challenge was the key theme for the May Classic Hike of the Smokies to Hyatt Ridge. The hike[…]
Read MoreElkmont area restoration funded, in part, by FOTS
May 2, 2016
by Julie Dodd The news that the Wonderland Hotel Annex in the Elkmont area of the park was destroyed by[…]
Read MorePorters Creek Trail provides view of spring wildflowers
April 27, 2016
by Julie Dodd The April Classic Hike of the Smokies was the Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier, Tennessee, section of[…]
Read MoreFriends of the Smokies President, Board Members Named Among 100 Most Influential in Park History
April 13, 2016
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA) has released a list[…]
Read MoreLittle Cataloochee Trail: March’s Classic Hike of the Smokies
April 6, 2016
by Julie Dodd The Classic Hike of the Smokies hikers logged 6.6 miles on the Little Cataloochee Trail on March 8,[…]
Read MoreSpring is a time for new beginnings…
March 28, 2016
It’s not too often that our small organization has staffing changes, but we have some happy and sad news to[…]
Read More2016 Evergreen Ball Raises $500k in Celebration of NPS Centennial
February 9, 2016
The Evergreen Ball is always a special event, but this year, it was really something else. We were joined by[…]
Read MoreHike 100 challenge encourages you to hike 100 miles of trails in GSMNP during 2016
February 2, 2016
by Julie Dodd A great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service is by taking the “Hike 100”[…]
Read MoreIn The Words of Our Friends: Randall Pope
December 15, 2015
It is no small feat to put together a fundraising organization to support the country’s most-visited national park. But when Randall[…]
Read MoreAsheville’s Give!Local Guide
November 18, 2015
This year, we are excited to participate in Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local Guide, Asheville’s easiest path to year-end giving. Mountain Xpress[…]
Read MoreFOTS Classic Hike to Chimney Tops provides views and insights on trail restoration
November 12, 2015
by Julie Dodd Trail renovation, mountain-top views, and life in the area before the establishment of the GSMNP were[…]
Read MoreGSMNP Adds DC Fast-Charging to Green Alternatives
October 1, 2015
Superintendent Cassius Cash joined representatives from East TN Clean Fuels Coalition, Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition, US Dept of[…]
Read More3 Ways to Leaf Peep in the Smokies
September 25, 2015
Expedia teamed up with Friends of the Smokies to provide tips for witnessing the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains[…]
Read MoreBattling Hemlock Wooly Adelgid with Dept. Superintendent Jordan
September 19, 2015
With more than 500,000 acres and 10 million annual visitors to manage, work at Park Headquarters can certainly keep you[…]
Read MoreHigh school interns learn about GSMNP wildlife, staff and programs
September 8, 2015
by Martina Junod Rising Senior, William Blount High School – Maryville, Tenn. The six weeks of the internship for high[…]
Read MoreGone Fishing with Experience Your Smokies
September 5, 2015
The forecast had been calling for rain on Thursday the whole week running up to our second Experience Your Smokies[…]
Read MoreGran Fondo Asheville raises over $53,000 for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
September 1, 2015
The 2015 Gran Fondo Asheville attracted more than 390 cyclists and raised over $53,000 for the Great Smoky Mountains National[…]
Read MoreTime Travel: Historic Preservation in GSMNP
August 26, 2015
by Brent McDaniel, Director of Marketing Our first session of Experience Your Smokies, “Historic Preservation & Elkmont,” promised to be[…]
Read MoreBecoming a Working Part of Alum Cave Trail
August 18, 2015
by Peyton C. Proffitt “The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour. Then[…]
Read MoreMt. LeConte hike provides memorable experience
August 15, 2015
Sixty hikers took part in a special FOTS overnight hike to Mt. LeConte, July 20-21. The group departed from the[…]
Read MoreDragonfly Mercury Project — research initiative for GSMNP high school interns
July 28, 2015
by Bella Weeks Rising Senior Jackson County Early College – Sylva, North Carolina During the Summer Internship with Great Smoky Mountains[…]
Read MoreExperience Your Smokies: Class of 2015
July 27, 2015
by Brent McDaniel, Director of Marketing Between our 10 million visitors each year, there are plenty of ways to experience[…]
Read MoreGSMNP Summer Internship Program provides learning opportunities for high school students
July 14, 2015
by Kyra Mehaffey Rising Senior Pisgah High School – Canton, North Carolina High school students scrambled to get their applications[…]
Read More5 Summer Hikes You’ll Love
July 8, 2015
By Holly Scott Jones, Marketing Director Summer is the perfect time to take a hike! From beginners to expert backpackers,[…]
Read MoreTrails Forever crew making progress on Alum Cave Trail
June 30, 2015
by Julie Dodd If you’ve hiked the Alum Cave Trail in the last few weeks, you know that The Friends[…]
Read MoreAvent Cabin provides hiking treasure hunt and history lesson
June 19, 2015
by Julie Dodd If you’re looking for a Smokies hike that includes a treasure hunt, a trip back in time,[…]
Read More86th Anniversary of the “Goodwill Tour”
June 9, 2015
On June 9, 1929, staff from the Knoxville News Sentinel and the Asheville Citizen-Times met on top of Clingmans Dome[…]
Read More#FindYourPark Contest Winners
May 5, 2015
For National Park Week (April 18-26), we wanted to celebrate Great Smoky Mountains National Park and this year’s theme, Find Your[…]
Read MoreTrail Review: Abrams Falls Trail
Jennfier Karrasch shared her review of Abrams Falls Trail with us for National Park Week. Thanks to everyone who entered[…]
Read MoreParks as Classrooms program benefits students, teachers, scientists and GSMNP
April 29, 2015
by Julie Dodd For the students, they are trying out the scientific method in the field – analyzing plants for[…]
Read MoreGroup hikes and hiking workshop provide support for Smokies hiking
March 24, 2015
by Julie Dodd Now is a great time of year for hiking in the Smokies. If you are new to[…]
Read More800,010 reasons to get a Friends license plate
March 10, 2015
by Brent McDaniel In North Carolina and Tennessee, you see specialty license plates all the time while driving down the[…]
Read MoreNPS Collections Preservation Center’s construction underway in Townsend, TN
February 24, 2015
by Julie Dodd Work is underway on the new NPS Collections Preservation Center, a facility to preserve more than 400,000[…]
Read More2015 Evergreen Ball
February 5, 2015
January 31st was the 12th Annual Evergreen Ball to benefit Friends of the Smokies and it was a huge success![…]
Read MoreTrailcams capture Chimney Tops Trail restoration work
January 28, 2015
by Julie Dodd Thanks to the photo planning and editing skills of Tobias Miller, Smokies Trail Crew Supervisor, you can[…]
Read MoreMaking It Clear: Understanding Water Quality Research
January 6, 2015
Friends of the Smokies has already contributed more than $600,000 to support water quality monitoring in Great Smoky Mountains National[…]
Read MoreRestoring trails and supporting wildlife — FOTS highlights in 2014
December 30, 2014
by Julie Dodd This post shares highlights of some of the Friends of the Smokies projects for the Great Smoky[…]
Read MoreChimney Tops Trail re-opens Dec. 12, 2014
December 12, 2014
by Julie Dodd The Chimney Tops Trail is officially re-opening on Dec. 12, 2014, after three years of trail restoration.[…]
Read MoreThis Week at Friends of the Smokies
December 5, 2014
It’s been a busy week here at Friends of the Smokies! Time to find a nice branch, up high out[…]
Read More‘Exploring Curriculum Connections’ workshop provides hands-on activities for teachers
November 20, 2014
by Julie Dodd Teachers can join Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers for “Exploring Curriculum Connections,” a free workshop for[…]
Read MorePark Projects Great and Small
November 7, 2014
Each year we get a funding request from the park with a list of programs and projects for the upcoming[…]
Read More‘Making STEM Easy’ workshop for teachers at Knoxville Zoo, supported by Alcoa Foundation and Friends of the Smokies
September 17, 2014
by Julie Dodd Middle school and high school teachers in the Knoxville area can attend a free teacher workshop “Making[…]
Read MoreGran Fondo Asheville 2014
September 11, 2014
The first ever Gran Fondo Asheville was held on Sunday, Sept. 7, and it was a huge success, raising over[…]
Read More2014 Friends Across the Mountains Telethon
August 26, 2014
Thank you again for your outpouring of support for our 20th Annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon. Because of your[…]
Read MoreWelcome our newest Friend, Anna Lee Zanetti
August 20, 2014
Friends of the Smokies is pleased to welcome another addition to its staff, Anna Lee Zanetti as the new Outreach &[…]
Read MoreA Special “Thank You” to Holly Scott
August 12, 2014
Hello Friends, While we normally share scenic photos, hiking trails, and great stories from the park on our blog, I’d[…]
Read MoreVolunteer with Trails Forever Crew on Chimney Tops Trail
July 10, 2014
By Holly Scott Jones, former Marketing Director of Friends of the Smokies A Brief Look Back at Smokies Trails[…]
Read MoreCelebrate National Trails Day with Appalachian Trail Workday in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May 22, 2014
Would you like to improve the hiking conditions on the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Make some[…]
Read MoreFavorite Spring Wildflower Hikes in the Smokies
April 23, 2014
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director On a recent ‘Get On the Trail with Friends & Missy‘ hike in Elkmont, several of my hiking companions[…]
Read MoreSecretary Sally Jewell Hikes Chimney Tops Trail with Friends of the Smokies
March 3, 2014
By Holly Scott, Marketing Director March 3, 2014 United States Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell visited the Smokies[…]
Read MoreTravel Channel Presents Evergreen Ball- A Showcase of Hard Work + Generosity for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
February 21, 2014
By Lauren Gass, Special Projects Director Nearly four weeks have passed since the 2014 Evergreen Ball, but I am still[…]
Read MoreSweet Partnership with Sugarland Cellars Is a Big Win for the Smoky Mountains
November 20, 2013
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director In June of 2012 a unique and profitable partnership debuted in the form of an[…]
Read MoreHike to Rocky Top High Above Cades Cove
November 8, 2013
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director The days immediately following the much-celebrated reopening of Great Smoky Mountains National Park were glorious.[…]
Read MoreCamping in the Smokies Today (Oct. 16) – What You Need to Know
October 16, 2013
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director Camping in the Smokies Today (Oct. 16th) – Edited This post was written on October[…]
Read MoreUPDATED-5 Alternative Hikes for Fall Fun Near the Smokies
October 10, 2013
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director Week 2 of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Shutdown Oops. According to Bryson City, I’m[…]
Read More5 Things You Can Do While Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Shutdown
October 2, 2013
By Holly Scott, Marketing Director As you may have heard, due to the government shut-down, Great Smoky Mountains National Park[…]
Read MoreKick Off Fall Color Season with Friends of the Smokies
September 26, 2013
by Holly Scott, Marketing Director Here in the Smokies the whole month of October is celebrated as a holiday by[…]
Read MoreParticipate in Friends Across The Mountains Telethon on Aug. 15 to support Great Smoky Mountains National Park
August 12, 2013
by Holly Scott Friends of the Smokies, Marketing Director Join supporters of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by making a[…]
Read MoreSmoky Mountains Parks as Classrooms Program
August 8, 2013
by Holly Scott Friends of the Smokies, Marketing Director More than 20,000 kids every year get to go to school[…]
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