Rosebay rhododendron photo by Carol Wolfe.

The unusual climate this year had resulted in a spectacular display of rhododendron and sourwood blossoms.

The drive between Oconoluftee and Gatlinburg is particularly lovely with massive displays of white-pink rosebay rhododendron.

Reverend Isaac Martin described the cove in 1890: "I could see the entire cove which nestles there among the crests of the great mountains. I had never seen anything quite so beautiful. Cades Cove is the dream of the Smoky Mountains."

Written by renowned national park writer Rose Houk, with 72 pages of stunning photographs by Bill Lea.

Cades Cove, "an exquiste creation . . . [that] has a strong hold on all those who have known its solitudes and its glories." Willam O. Douglas

GSMA has 4 new Junior Ranger booklets which make great gifts for children who are interested in park rangers!

For a perfect fit, the brand new books are created to engage young people in age-appropriate activities for several different age groups: 5-6 year olds, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12.

A list of the junior ranger programs, which run until August 18, is provided in the Smokies Guide, the park's free newspaper available at all the visitor centers.

To look at the book for 5-6 year olds, click here.

To look at the book for 7-8 year olds, click here.

To look at the book for 9-10 year olds, click here.

To look at the book for 11-12 year olds, click here.

Backcountry Ranger Dwight McCarter's personal accounts of tracking people lost in the Smoky Mountains.

This moving and exciting book is full of inspiring accounts of people who beat the odds, tragedies of hikes gone terribly wrong, and mysterious disappearances of children that have never been solved.

Get Smokies survival tips from an expert!