“A bald is a great place to be during these times when we are keeping our distance from other hikers,” he said. “Our park manages two balds—Andrews and Gregory—and late summer, ...

Gregory Bald, a nearly 5,000-foot-high mountain bald, is in the Cades Cove area of the park, on the Tennessee side. The park sits on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Gregory Bald is near the middle of the park, along the border of Swain County in North Carolina and Blount County in Tennessee. This story was originally published July 3, 2014, 10:49 AM.

The road also provides access to trails such as Gregory Bald Trail which is a popular route for hikers in June to experience the hybridizing azaleas in bloom atop the high-elevation grassy bald.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is temporarily closing several trails after a number of close bear encounters ...

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has temporarily closed some popular hiking trails due to black bears feeding in the area.