Smokies Live Blog

Day: July 14, 2025

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An eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) surveys its surroundings as dusk approaches. During the summer, turtles are most active in the morning or after rain, and during spring and fall they’re active throughout the day. Photo by Jeff Servoss, courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Road to glory: The eastern box turtle’s path to state symbol status

Great Smokies

Welcome Center

Hours of Operation

(subject to change)

Open year round (closed December 25)


January - February

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

March - November

Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
December

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Great Smokies Welcome Center is located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can get information about things to see and do in and around the national park and shop from a wide selection of books, gifts, and other Smokies merchandise. Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags for the national park are also available.

Physical Address

7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway Townsend TN 37882

Contact

865.436.7318 Ext 320