Getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and take in some of Mother Nature's weirdest & wildest events - Synchronous Fireflies. Fireflies aka "Lightning Bugs" get crazy normally during a 2 week peak period in June in the Smoky Mountains. Each species of firefly has characteristic flash patterns that help the genders recognize each other. Trolleys take off at the Sugarlands Visitor Center close to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and will take you to the Elkmont camp ground for a $1 roundtrip ride. They ask that you cover your flashlight with red/blue cellophane, so that the fireflies are not disrupted. This awe inspiring mating ritual is a cool phenomenon to take in with friends and family.
One of the great outdoor activities in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is trout fishing. Whether you're a pro or just got your first pole, the City of Gatlinburg has several streams that are easily accessible and sure to have that fish you'll be talking about for years. Most days, you can fish inside the city limits or in the National Park. Purchase your license by stopping by our Gatlinburg Welcome Center, located on the right as you come into town on 441 South.
The City of Gatlinburg has its own trout farm and stocks the streams on Thursdays, so there is no fishing inside the Gatlinburg city limits on Thursdays. There are some rules and regulations and different license requirements that we've listed below so you'll know exactly what to expect in planning your fishing trip.
Military Personnel on leave carrying copy of leave orders. (A pass does not meet this requirement) - No license required.
Age 13-15 years - Gatlinburg permit, One-day (type 99) or Three-Day (Type 96) PLUS Junior Hunt, Fish, and Trap License (Type 02).
Age 16 to 64 years old - Gatlinburg Permit, One-day (Type 99) or Three-Day (Type 96) PLUS Annual Trout (Type 22) and ONE of the following: Annual Hunt and Fish Combination (Type 01), County of Residence (Type 20), and One-day Fishing (Type 21).
No one over 12 years old is allowed to fish in any Children's Stream.
Daily creel limit is five (5) trout for General Streams and two (2) trout for Children's streams. Total creel limit is five (5) trout.
West Prong Little Pigeon River from National Park Boundary downstream to Gnatty Branch, except those sections set aside as Children's Streams.
Dudley Creek from National Park Boundary downstream to West Prong Little Pigeon River, except those sections set aside as Children's Streams.
LeConte Creek from Painter's Branch downstream to West Prong Little Pigeon River.
Country Charm Lodge has parking, convenience, games, lots of sleeping arrangements, and all the special touches to make it the perfect Pigeon Forge vacation rental in the Smoky Mountains. Ample flat parking for a trailer of bikes or several cars up and down its large concrete driveway make it a winner during a Pigeon Forge car show weekend. Beautifully decorated interior, large gameroom, 3 king beds, 3 queens, and a covered hot tub and decks make entertaining easy.
Recent Gatlinburg news story has garnered a lot of media attention and why not?, It's an extraordinarily crazy story. People come up to the Smoky Mountains for all different reasons. Recently, a Pizza Delivery guy delivering a pizza(thus the name) to a gatlinburg cabin rental noticed something suspicious- A lady tied to a couch. Gets weirder. He goes to a house next door and phones the police. Police supposedly interview the lady who at first says she is not a kidnapping victim and later changes her story that she is. People do a lot of crazy stuff, but it turns out this would possibly be her 3rd time of falsifying charges against someone else. Before police can do a formal investigation, the 911 call is leaked to the media garnering national media attention. Is this a case of Crying Wolf or Crying for Pizza?
For your next news story, I recommend the Gatlinburg Dominoes for Delivery 865-436-2020 or a pizza at the Gatlinburg Brewery or Best Italian restaurants. It will fill your wolf like ravenous appetite for food & service.