COMPLIMENTARY $3.95 2019/2020 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • DINING • LODGING TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE OFFICIAL PARTNERS T:5.375” S:4.75” PLAN YOUR VISIT WELCOME S:7.375” SO TASTY EVERYONE WILL WANT A BITE. BlanketedT:8.375” in lush forests and shrouded by mist, the Great Smoky Mountains FUN FACTS beckon visitors to explore the mysteries of Established: The park was created in its ancient landscape. Walk in the woods 1934 to protect the last of the southern and stand beneath towering hemlocks. Appalachian forest, which once covered Feel the cool spray of a waterfall splashing more than 4 million acres, but was vir- against moss-covered boulders. Gaze upon tually eliminated by logging and fire. a landscape of gentle blue ridges stretch- Land Area: The park is 522,427 acres. ing to the horizon. Number of Visitors: More than 11 mil- The Cherokee described these moun- lion people visit annually—the highest visitation of any national park. tains as shaconage, meaning “blue, like Lowest and Highest Elevations: The smoke.” The bluish mist, which clings lowest elevation in the park is 870 feet to the mountainsides and fills the val - at the mouth of Abrams Creek and the leys, gives the park its name and remains highest is 6,643 feet at the summit of among its most distinctive features. Clingmans Dome. Among the oldest mountains in the Plant and Animal Species: The park’s world, the Smokies teem with a wondrous abundance and variety of plant and diversity of life. More than 17,000 species of animal life have earned it the U.N. plants and animals have been documented designations of International Biosphere in the park! Punctuating this phenomenal Reserve and World Heritage Site. Sci- biodiversity is one of the nation’s largest entists estimate up to 50,000 different types of plants and animals live in Great collections of historic log buildings. The Smoky Mountains National Park. When homes, schools, mills and churches of the Discover Life in America was founded mountain people are preserved here for in 1998, fewer than 10,000 had been ©2019 Preferred Brands International. All rights reserved. International. Brands Preferred ©2019 you to discover and enjoy. Experience one identified; however, researchers have of America’s greatest wilderness areas and added more than 18,500 new species discover the heritage of natural and cultural to the park, including 1,000 that were diversity it preserves for all time. previously unknown! Sights: Some of the more popular sights include Clingmans Dome, Mount LeConte, the sheer rock pinnacles of Chimney Tops, the 100-foot waterfall Ramsey Cascades, and the scenic and PHOTO historic sites at Cataloochee Valley, Ca- des Cove and Oconaluftee. OP! Hiking and Horseback Riding: TASTY BITE® is all-natural Send us your stories and photos and Approximately 800 miles of horse and and perfect for the trail. Look you could be a part of our guide! hiking trails crisscross the park. for the yellow pouch in the Be a part of the Oh,Ranger! world! Camping: The park has 1,000 devel- international food aisle.* oped campsites and 100 primitive sites. tastybite.com *Keep wildlife wild; Don’t feed the animals. | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 1 A23899_2d_9tas_2967_Q2_Print_Oh-Ranger.indd 04.04.19 A23899x01D_OhRanger_smp.psd Epson A23899X02C_Tasty Bite Final 032919-Product_smp.psd HP FINAL Client: Tasty Bite APPROVAL SIGNATURES ROUND(s) 3 Filename: 19tas_2967_Q2_Print_Oh-Ranger.indd SIZE / Date: 4-2-2019 2:32 PM MECHANICAL SPECS (w x h) FONTS & IMAGES PROOF FORMAT Job #: 2967 Bleed: 5.875” x 8.875” Fonts TRAFFIC Insert Date: 4/1 Trim: 5.375” x 8.375” Knockout (HTF49 Liteweight), Acumin Pro Condensed (Light), Pubs or Loc: PROD. Oh Ranger Viewing: 5.375” x 8.375” Acumin Pro (Black, Regular, Bold) Magazine Description: None Live: 4.75” x 7.375” Images STUDIO Scale: 1” = 1” Print Tasty Bite Final 032919-CMYK.psd (CMYK; 448 ppi, 494 ppi; AD Notes: None ACTUAL SIZE (w x h) 66.93%, 60.7%), Tasty_Bite_Logo.ai (17.81%), Tasty Bite Final 032919-Product.psd (CMYK; 536 ppi; 55.95%) CW Bleed: 5.875” x 8.875” Mekanism Trim: 5.375” x 8.375” Inks CD 640 Second St Viewing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black SF, CA 94107 5.375” x 8.375” BM 415.908.4000 Live: 4.75” x 7.375” Gutter: None Designer: Dustin Page Printed at: None CLIENT CONTENTS Unforgettable Adventures. Welcome 1 American Park Network® publishes OhRanger. What’s New! 4 com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor guides for public Plan Your Visit 6 lands all across America —and operates Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi in parks and public lands. American Park Network is an official partner of the National Park Regulations & Safety 14 Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and Wildlife Who’s Who at the Park 16 Foundation, American Hiking Society and the Student Conservation Association. Preservation 17 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief MARK J. SAFERSTEIN History & Culture 18 Associate Publisher & Executive Editor Joel S. Saferstein Sights To See 21 Group Sales & Partnerships Director Centerfold Map Alex Frenkel EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Gatlinburg, TN 25 Editors: Monette A. Bailey, Daniel Johnson, Jacqueline Kehoe, Amanda McConnon, Cherokee, NC 29 Julie McCool, Danielle Taylor, Wendy Willis Proofreader: Scott Tabor Production Manager: Mario Arce Lodging & Dining 31 Graphic Designers: Karla Aldana, Dennisse Cruz, Tatiana Hurtado, Yamileth Recinos Things To Do 33 DIGITAL Technology Manager: Scott Falconer Walking & Hiking 38 ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING Camping 40 (212) 581-3380 [email protected] Just for Kids 41 Business Development: Randy Burton, Mary Pat Kaleth, Pat Keane, Craig King, Kristi Rummel Nature & Wildlife 43 Feel-Good Savings. 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GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC [email protected] 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2019 GEICO Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ installation/sponsorship [email protected] PLAN YOUR VISIT WHAT’S NEW! WE’RE ALL CONNECTED As a young man, John Muir, the naturalist known as, “Father of the National Parks,” Mark, Joel & Alex – connecting in parks! had an accident that left him temporarily blinded. It changed his life forever. When he science. I often find inspiration in parks. In its regained his sight, he emerged into the light traditional form, yoga was about joining with ever-determined to pursue his dreams of the collective universe. So, too, is Muir’s quote, exploration. Fortunately for the world, Muir’s best illustrated by an example from Yellowstone. trials led him to help move Congress to set When wolves were reintroduced there after a aside Yosemite, one of his many contributions 70-year absence, the rampant elk population to our nation’s preservation movement. could no longer leisurely nibble on willows, graze When faced with adversity, we have but in open meadows or congregate by the rivers. In two choices. We can either rise above our a short period of time, the forests and meadows circumstance or succumb to our demons of began to regenerate. Song birds appeared. doubt, fear, resentment and apathy. While Beavers flourished, building dams, which Muir was lucky to have his sight return, his created habitats for otters, muskrats and ducks. subsequent efforts drew strength from hope, Cooler waters, shaded by more trees, attracted compassion, kindness and love to rise up different species of amphibians and fish. Tree from personal adversity. roots stabilized the river banks, diminished AD Lately, it feels like we’re all dealing with erosion and even changed the geography of the too many hurdles. Every hour, “breaking” park! Indeed, pick out anything by itself and we news spews forth accounts of tragedy and quickly find that everything is connected. divisiveness. It was with this backdrop that I Now is the time to seek out connection— SOMEWHERE was preparing to teach a restorative yoga class, whether in a park, a yoga studio or anywhere to create a safe environment for my students you find inspiration—to find strength to rise up BETWEEN and provide an hour’s worth of peace and quiet and overcome the obstacles that face us all… to carry out into the world. What theme would capture their imagination and neatly underscore STUNNING our human need for connectedness? When teaching, I try to use examples that marry ancient tradition with contemporary and SURREAL GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS! VISITUTAH.COM Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues, please let us know at [email protected]. 4 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS | PLAN YOUR VISIT PLAN YOURYOUR VISITVISIT GETTING TO GREAT KY 75 VA SMOKY MOUNTAINS 81 The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway runs Nashville 40 • 40 NORTH from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia TENNESSEE CAROLINA SEE INSET to the southern entrance of Great Smoky 26 Mountains National Park.