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An interstate project in Colorado drew a tour group from ICOET to see a mountain corridor project—double-span bridges under six lanes designed to reduce collisions and provide a safe passageway for elk, mule deer, and other wildlife. Photo courtesy of UC Davis, Road Ecology Center.
Jennifer Fulford

Road ecologists study the intersection of transportation and the wild

Roads and ecology seem to be at opposing ends of the environmental spectrum. How can roads be ecological? A growing group of scientists is studying how they affect ecosystems, and many advocates and wildlife specialists are hopping on the wagon. The relatively nascent field of road ecology looks at the impact of transportation on ecosystems. All those roads, byways, and paved pathways—four million miles in

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Jennifer Fulford August 16, 2025
Katy Koontz

Family Fun Hikes in the Smokies: Porters Creek, Flat Creek, and the AT

The Smokies offers more than 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to arduous. Many of these trails are particularly good choices for families because they include historic sites and other interesting opportunities for exploration. This post describes a trio of adventures scattered throughout the park: old homesteads along Porters Creek Trail, the fabulous views from Flat Creek Trail, and a fun way to

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Katy Koontz August 12, 2025
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Smokies Life

is a proud partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and National Park Service

115 Park Headquarters Rd. Gatlinburg, TN 37738

865.436.7318    info@smokieslife.org

Great Smokies

Welcome Center

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(subject to change)

Open year round (closed December 25)


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March - November

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December

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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