GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark

Tourism spending experiences 8.1% loss

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Damage from Hurricane Helene was minimal at the local level, but still harmed tourism spending in Graham County.Data compiled and released last fall by VisitNC revealed an 8.1% local drop in visitor spending for 2024, down to $51.5 million.
Graham County is 1-of-15 across North Carolina currently experiencing an “extreme” drought, as shown by this map released last week. Map courtesy of North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council

Graham County is 1-of-15 across North Carolina currently experiencing an “extreme” drought, as shown by this map released last week. Map courtesy of North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council

Statewide burn ban still in effect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Despite areas of North Carolina receiving steady rainfall last week, the statewide burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest Service is still in effect. Hazardous conditions inside forests around the state forced the ban to be enacted March 28, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service.

Fox Gap Fire now 75% contained

Marshall McClung
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
This map outlines the location of the Fox Gap Fire inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which started near the Twentymile Ranger Station in Swain County on March 26.
Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Reaching new heights

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
On Nov. 5, Robbinsville High School Career and Technical Education instructors Rick Parham and Megan Williams took a hike. This was no ordinary hike, however.

Visitor spending up in 2023

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Spending in Graham County increased by two percent in 2023, according to an annual study released by VisitNC.  A recent news release from Graham County Travel & Tourism reported $55.98 million was transacted by local and visiting individuals inside the borders, which is up from $54,860,400 in 2022.
Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sept. 2, 1940. Students from Robbinsville High School were in attendance. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sept. 2, 1940. Students from Robbinsville High School were in attendance. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Seeing the President at 6,643 feet

Latresa Phillips
Friday, March 1, 2024
Milltown – Not many people living in Graham County can say that they were present at the Sept. 2, 1940 dedication ceremony of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or that they saw President Franklin D. Roosevelt in person. Doyle Brock can. He remembers the day his agriculture teacher Mr.
A heavy lack of rainfall has produced a drought across western North Carolina. As seen from this U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina map, Graham County is under a “severe drought.” Map courtesy of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

A heavy lack of rainfall has produced a drought across western North Carolina. As seen from this U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina map, Graham County is under a “severe drought.” Map courtesy of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Send down the rain

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
A heavy lack of rainfall in the area has wreaked havoc on conditions outdoors, which has sparked a pair of unrelated fires – one planned, one not – and the implementation of an outdoor burn ban. The North Carolina Forest Service issued a ban for a 14-county area, which went into effect at 5 p.m.
A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A smoky close-up of the Sept. 26 destruction on the Fontana Lake peninsula. Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wildfire tamed on Fontana Lake

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Fontana Dam – A 10-acre forest fire on Fontana Lake is now contained. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26, near backcountry campsite 87 on Fontana Lake. The campsite is located on the peninsula closet to the Fontana Dam.