Simple Pleasures Cabin

05/01/2026

Evening sounds on the porch!

Eastern whip-poor-will https://share.google/KoGK56LUSHTZVXCH5

05/01/2026

Full Moon rising over the Great Smoky Mountain National Park from the deck of Simple Pleasures

04/30/2026

Quite evening after the rain

04/21/2026

Bullhead Closures Mondays-Thursdays

Starting May 4, the park's Trails Forever Crew will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.

During the rehabilitation, Bullhead Trail will be closed Mondays through Thursdays until November. The trail will remain open for hikers on weekends and federal holidays.

Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount Le Conte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety, repair tread surfaces, improve drainage, regrade areas, construct stairs in areas, and more.

04/21/2026

Stay Bear aware!!

Rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park responded to multiple bear‑related incidents at Ramsey Cascades Trail this past weekend, including cases where a bear approached visitors, took backpacks, and briefly chased a group. Ramsey Prong Road and Ramsey Cascades Trail are now closed as rangers monitor bear activity.

Last weekend, rangers also handled several incidents involving an aggressive bear at Abrams Falls Trail. That area has now reopened after several days with no observed bear activity.

Spring means increased black bear activity in the Smokies. Mother bears are emerging with cubs and food sources are limited. This is a sensitive time for bears, and getting too close can lead to dangerous encounters.

To keep people and bears safe, please remember:
• Stay 50 yards away from bears—approaching bears is illegal.
• Don’t stop in the road to view bears; it creates hazards and delays emergency response.
• Secure all food and trash in a locked vehicle and never leave it unattended.
• Never feed bears. Feeding wildlife is illegal and can cause bears to become aggressive and lose their natural fear of humans.
• Stay alert on trails and consider carrying bear spray. Hike in groups when possible.
• Report bear encounters or unsafe behavior to park authorities at 865‑436‑1230.

Thank you for helping keep the Smokies safe for everyone—people and bears alike.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/bear-incidents-prompts-trail-closure-safety-reminder-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park.htm

NPS Photo

04/06/2026

Cades Cove Vehicle free Wednesdays
begin in early May 2026

The 2026 start date for vehicle-free days at Cades Cove has been announced as the program continues for another year.

01/31/2026

Peaceful snowy morning at Simple Pleasures!!

11/13/2025

WOW!

FUN FACT 11/11 | The LeConte Lodge had the coldest temperature recorded anywhere in the Lower 48 with a low of 3° 🥶

According to the lodge, wind chills dropped to -20° at times overnight with total snow accumulations of 7.5” ❄️

11/12/2025

Last minute availability! Get in on the last dates available in 2025 at Simple Pleasures!

3 night stay 11/18-11/21 or 11/19-11/22:
$518.65 includes taxes and cleaning fee

4 night stay 11/18 - 11/22: $614.49 total

11/05/2025

Another peaceful evening.