Applause and Improvements Around the Greenbrier Area of the Smokies
There are two areas in the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that have been in the news recently. One is symbolic of its greatness, and the other will only be improving once work is finished on it. I’m referring to Greenbrier Campground and the Ramsey Cascades Trail. Here’s the details!
Applause
Any time you hear online and hard copy publications lauding places in the Smoky Mountains, it should automatically come as no surprise. The Greenbrier Campground was named the best in several categories. According to Campspot, they were awarded best in two areas: best mid-size campground in the U.S. and Canada; best campground in the U.S. and Canada for fishing. In addition Greenbrier took second place for the best overall campground in the United States and Canada. High praise, indeed!
Greenbrier Campground offers 120 full hook-up campsites featuring wooded and river sites. The Little Pigeon River here is home to the best swimming hole in the Smokies (arguably). Along with the famous Flint Rock, private beach, and fantastic trout fishing, you can clearly understand the recognition it received. Even though it’s a half-mile from the actual entrance to the national park, there’s no denying that Smoky Mountain feeling!
Improvements
Beginning April 15th, the Ramsey Cascades Trail will be closed on weekdays until November 14 for important improvements along this famous trail. The exception is the weekend of May 3-5 as the Friends of the Smokies’ Trails Forever program replaces a foot-log bridge.
Trail crews will also work on repairing tread surfaces, improving drainages, construct staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls. Removing dangerous trip hazards, like exposed roots and rocks will also be in order. If you tried to hike this trail starting in 2022 and found it closed, you’ll be excited to learn this will be the final project in the rehabilitation of this iconic trail leading to a beautiful 100-foot tall cascades—the tallest of its kind in the Smoky Mountains. Significant flooding and storm damage caused the National Park Service to close it for a few months in 2022 and early 2023.
Exciting and encouraging news is non-stop in the Smokies! Follow along to my publication as I try to bring you all the good stuff happening here. Once again, I thank you very much for reading and subscribing, and I hope you’ll keep tuning in for relevant Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountain content!