08/25/2026
Today, the Smokies lost one of their own.
Dolly Parton was more than a music legend. She was a daughter of these mountains, a storyteller, a businesswoman, a philanthropist, and one of the greatest ambassadors East Tennessee has ever known.
No matter how far her career took her, she never forgot where she came from. Her impact can be seen and felt throughout Sevier County and across the communities we are fortunate enough to call home.
The Smokies will not be the same without her, but her legacy will live here forever.
Thank you, Dolly, for everything you gave these mountains and for sharing a piece of them with the entire world.
With love from the Smokies,
Waypoint Stays