Smokies Life

09/06/2026

Gear up for your Smokies adventure or commemorate your love for the park with cool keepsakes, publications, toys, and apparel! The eight official park stores operated by Smokies Life can be found in visitor centers and contact stations around the national park. Proceeds from your store or online purchases benefit the educational, historical, and scientific programs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Link to shop in comments.

09/02/2026

Ever wonder why bobcats are so hard to glimpse? How growing caterpillar-friendly native plants can help birds? Or what we can learn from wild turkeys? In a new book compiling some of her best stories published over a span of five years in Smokies Life’s Word from the Smokies newspaper column, Frances Figart delves into these topics and more. Our latest blog post goes behind the scenes to the column’s origin and the creation of this unique book. 🔗 in comments.


📸 John Beaudet

09/02/2026

After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe this afternoon in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

09/01/2026

Search efforts for Marcin Bachleda Blaszczak remain active inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have now expanded beyond the park as the investigation continues.

Marcin is 5'6", 170 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, and is from Illinois. His last known location is Sugarlands Visitor Center on Saturday, August 22.

If you’ve seen Marcin anywhere, or have any information, please contact: [email protected]

UPDATE 9/1/26: After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe this afternoon in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The National Park Service is grateful to everyone who assisted in the search by submitting tips and spreading the word, as well as to the many park rangers, volunteers and partner agencies who assisted with the search.

The incident is still under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.

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Missing Person Alert – Please Share Widely

Search efforts for Marcin Bachleda Blaszczak remain active inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have now expanded beyond the park as the investigation continues.

Marcin is 5'6", 170 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, and is from Illinois. His last known location is Sugarlands Visitor Center on Saturday, August 22.

If you’ve seen Marcin anywhere, or have any information, please contact: [email protected]

Read more:
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-continues-search-for-marcin-bachleda-blaszczak-with-multi-agency-assistance.htm

08/31/2026

Blow flies are more often associated with causing disease than preventing it. But researchers from the University of Tennessee believe these common insects may hold the key to detecting developing outbreaks before they erupt. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the perfect outdoor laboratory to test their methods. More on our blog. Link in comments.



📸 Judy Gallagher

08/28/2026

Remember that unforgettable Smokies fall view? 🍁

This sublimation artwork cap brings the vibrant colors of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to your everyday adventures. Explore this design and other Smokies Life hats to find your favorite style. Best of all, your purchase supports the park's educational, historical, and scientific programs. Link to shop in the comments.

🍂

08/28/2026

See below for tips on what to do if you cross paths with a bear.

08/25/2026

Happy 110 years to the National Park Service!

The Smokies is putting its party hat on today because the National Park Service is turning 110! 🎉

Though Great Smoky Mountains didn’t become a national park until 1934, people have been working to protect these mountains for well over a century. To honor this legacy, no parking tag is required today as we celebrate more than a century of conservation, resilience, and connection.

🎂 So tell us… does the Smokies get a 10/10 for its birthday?

Happy 110th, NPS!



Original Photo by Jim Bennett

08/21/2026

Quilting traditions in Appalachia combine craft, utility, and history. To commemorate 250 years of American independence, Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Fabric of Appalachia project celebrates this heritage by offering context about the art form. Join an in-person “stitching bee” this Saturday at the training room by Sugarlands Visitor Center, starting at 10 a.m. Bring a sewing project or start a new one with the friends you’ll make. Link in comments.

#250

08/21/2026

This Saturday, August 22, join the second stitching bee at Sugarlands Visitor Center. The free event will take place in the training room beside the visitor center at 10 a.m.

Join us for the first day of National Park Week at our second Stitching Bee!

Looking for a creative way to connect during the quilt-along? Stop by one of our Stitching Bees—a traditional sewing circle where anyone can join in. Bring your own project, get help with a block, or try stitching for the first time. Stop by one of our stitching bees—a traditional sewing circle where anyone can join in. Bring your own project, get help with a block, or try stitching for the first time.

These casual gatherings are a chance to sit together, sew, ask questions, and enjoy the tradition behind quiltmaking.

Upcoming Stitching Bees

• August 22 — Sugarlands Visitor Center Training Room (beside the visitor center)
• September 19 — Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch
⏰ Time: 10 AM to 2 PM

Whether you’re following along with the weekly blocks or just curious to try stitching, we'll have supplies on hand if you want to give it a try. Come stitch with us!



NPS Photo from first Stitching Bee in Cades Cove