SOCIAL MEDIA

Smokies Proposes Frontcountry Camping Fee Increase

Thursday, May 26, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to comment through June 27th on a proposal to increase fees at frontcountry campgrounds and picnic pavilions along with proposed changes to the management of three campgrounds by adding them to the national reservation system through Recreation.gov. The park is also hosting open houses at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Administration Building...
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Forest Service Gears Up for Significant 2016 Wildfire Season

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

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Last week Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell met with Forest Service Regional Foresters to discuss preparations for anticipated significant wildland fire potential in 2016. The briefing comes as the 2016 fire season has begun with five times more acres already burned than this time last year, following 2015's record-setting fire season. "The 2016 wildfire season...
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Celebrate National Trails Day at Big South Fork on Saturday June 4th

Monday, May 23, 2016

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As part of a National Trails Day celebration, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a day of trail clean-up on Saturday, June 4th. Participants should meet at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center by 8:30 a.m. (ET). Now in its 24th consecutive year, National Trails Day challenges the public to explore nearby trails, and engage in outdoor recreation activities like hiking,...
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Mystery Solved!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

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Have you ever been out hiking in the forest and heard a quick thump-thump-thump-thump noise? Over the years I've heard this noise on at least three different occasions, but could never explain what it was. I believe in all three incidences I was hiking along the Appalachian Trail. At first the deep sound appeared to be coming from within, as if my heart was suddenly beating very loudly. However, after...
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Study: Camping Tents Could Be Toxic

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

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Campers and backpackers may want to keep track of this story as it develops. Duke University, in conjunction with REI, has conducted a study on flame retardant treatments in camping tents, which was recently published in the latest edition of Environmental Science and Technology. Although there are no clear-cut conclusions at this point, there is concern within the outdoor industry that campers and...
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Point Lookout Trail in Pisgah National Forest Closing for Repairs

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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The Pisgah National Forest will temporarily close the Point Lookout Trail on the Grandfather Ranger District for repairs starting May 31, 2016. Repairs to the paved walking and biking trail are expected to take 90 days, and the trail is anticipated to reopen by September 1st. The Point Lookout Trail connects Mill Creek Road in Ridgecrest to Old U.S. 70 in Old Fort along the historic motor route...
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Hiker Bitten by Bear - Spence Field Backcountry Shelter Closed

Thursday, May 12, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials closed the Spence Field Backcountry Shelter after 49-year-old Bradley Veeder of Las Vegas, NV was bitten by a bear while sleeping in his tent near the shelter, which is located near the intersection of the Bote Mountain Trail and the Appalachian Trail. On Tuesday, May 10th at approximately 11:16 p.m., the park was notified through Graham County 911 services...
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Photographing Wolves in Yellowstone National Park

Thursday, May 12, 2016

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With 2016 being the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, National Geographic has decided to dedicate its May issue solely to Yellowstone National Park. As part of this issue, Nat Geo has also published a series of videos, including this one in which Ronan Donovan discusses how he went about photographing wolves for the magazine: Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlaci...
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Hiking in Bear Country

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

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Whenever we as hikers venture into the wilderness we immediately assume a degree of risk. No matter the distance, your fitness level, or your backcountry experience, you should be prepared for a wide range of situations once you place that first foot on the trail. There are many things hikers and backpackers can do to minimize risk and prepare ourselves for a variety of conditions or events that...
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Longs Peak: This will make you nervous just watching it!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

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So you want to climb Longs Peak - the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. I know that I definitely wanted to when I was younger. I even made an attempt back in the 1990s. However, just a little past the Keyhole, I realized that I was way out of my league, and promptly turned around. Later, as the internet began filling-up with trip reports, photos and videos, I saw that the route was...
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Tourism to Great Smoky Mountains National Park creates $874 Million in Economic Benefit

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

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A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 10,712,673 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2015 spent $873,886,500 in communities near the park. That spending supported 13,709 jobs in the local area. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service. “In 2015, over 10.7 million visitors...
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Doctors Warn that Hiking is Contagious

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

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Doctors are increasingly writing new prescriptions for an old remedy- time in nature. As part of the burgeoning Park Rx movement, health care providers throughout the country are encouraging patients to use parks to reap the benefits of nature’s healing properties. On April 24, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, health care providers, and hundreds...
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Appalachian Trail Reopens in Hot Springs

Monday, May 2, 2016

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All trails in the Silver Mine Fire area including the Appalachian Trail are open as of today, Monday, May 2nd. Fire crews, along with resource specialists and partners from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, worked over the weekend to assess the condition of trails and clear potential hazards. While the trails are open for passage through the area, hikers are advised to stay on the trail and not...
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Shenandoah Wildfire Contained - Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail Have Reopened

Sunday, May 1, 2016

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Located in Shenandoah National Park's south district, the Rocky Mountain Fire was first reported on Saturday, April 16th at 1:15pm. When firefighters first arrived on the scene, the fire was approximately 70 acres in size, and growing quickly and too intense for a direct attack. Firefighters instead focused on evacuating hikers and backpackers and ordered additional firefighters and equipment to the...
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Tourism to Blue Ridge Parkway creates $952 Million in Economic Benefits

Sunday, May 1, 2016

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Last week’s announcement by the National Park Service(NPS) regarding 2015 economic benefit and impacts of NPS sites across the country underscores the vibrant relationship between the Blue Ridge Parkway and its neighboring communities. The report highlights that 15 million visitors to the Parkway in 2015 spent $952.1 million in communities near the park. This spending supported 15,337 jobs across...
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