Smokies visits jump 11.7% for July

The Park had a busy July

GATLINBURG – Great Smoky Mountains National Park visits were up by 11.7% in July, with increases at Gatlinburg, Tenn. (8.1%), and Townsend, Tenn. (1.9%).  Cherokee, N.C.  was unchanged.   “With 1,404,034 visitors this July, we had the biggest July since July 2000,” said Management Assistant, Bob Miller.   The Park’s 10 outlying entrances showed a 33.2% jump for July.   Year to date Park travel is up 7.6% or about 375,000 people (5.3 million YTD in 2009 vs. 9.45 mill in 2008).   Miller also stated, “Camping was also up by 10% for the month and 8.4% YTD, which may be an indication of visitors seeking an affordable vacation.”