Our Writers
Local experts who know the Smoky Mountains inside and out. Every trail hiked, every restaurant tested, every drive time clocked.
Alex Morgan
Travel Writer & Outdoor Enthusiast
Alex is a travel writer and outdoor enthusiast based in East Tennessee who has spent the better part of a decade exploring every ridge, trail, and backroad in the Great Smoky Mountains. With a background in adventure journalism and a deep love for family travel, Alex writes guides that help guests make the most of their time in the mountains. When not at a keyboard, you will find Alex hiking with a camera, testing new cabin recipes, or scouting lesser-known swimming holes along the Little Pigeon River.
Jamie Ellis
Hospitality & Lifestyle Writer
Jamie is a hospitality and lifestyle writer who specializes in vacation rental experiences and Southern travel. After years of managing guest communications at Whispering Pines Lodge, Jamie started writing the practical, detail-rich guides that guests kept asking for — everything from toddler-friendly itineraries to budget breakdowns for a week in the Smokies. Jamie brings a host's perspective to every article, combining insider knowledge of the cabin with honest advice about what to do (and what to skip) in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.
Taylor Reed
Food, Culture & Nature Writer
Taylor is a food, culture, and nature writer with a focus on Appalachian destinations and seasonal travel guides. A lifelong student of Southern mountain culture, Taylor covers everything from Dollywood strategy to national park day trips to the best pancake spots in Sevier County. Taylor's writing leans on firsthand experience — every restaurant recommendation has been eaten at, every trail has been hiked, and every drive time has been clocked from the cabin's front door.
Read Their Latest Stories
Insider guides, honest reviews, and practical tips for your Smoky Mountain trip.
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