SOCIAL MEDIA

Friends of the Smokies Announces 2020 Classic Hikes of the Smokies Schedule

Monday, December 30, 2019

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The Friends of the Smokies has just announced the schedule for their Classic Hikes of the Smokies series in 2020. The year-long series will include 10 hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this upcoming year, and will feature interpretation of the trail, history, and park projects supported by Friends of the Smokies. Moreover, these hikes will help support restoration and rehabilitation of...
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USDA Forest Service surpasses goals and breaks records in 2019

Thursday, December 26, 2019

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The USDA Forest Service recently announced that 2019 was a historic year for America’s national forests and grasslands. “In 2019, through Shared Stewardship agreements we forged new partnerships and built on existing ones to better collaborate and share decision space with states, partners and tribes,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “We also opened hundreds of thousands of acres of...
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Last-minute gift idea - a virtual stocking stuffer

Monday, December 23, 2019

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Believe it or not, though Christmas is now only two days away, you still have time to order last-minute stocking stuffers from Amazon. If you're looking for one last gift for that happy hiker in your life, there's still plenty of time to download the Kindle e-book version of my book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking! Ramble On: A History of Hiking is a great gift idea for anyone who loves hiking,...
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White Sands Re-designated as a National Park

Saturday, December 21, 2019

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On Friday, December 20, 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which includes a provision that re-designates White Sands National Monument as White Sands National Park, making it the 62nd designated national park in the National Park System. “Our staff are very excited for White Sands to be recognized as a national park and...
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Tennessee State Parks Kick off New Year with First Day Hikes

Friday, December 20, 2019

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Tennessee State Parks will once again sponsor free, guided hikes to kick-off the New Year. Each state park will host its own special hike during the first few days of the New Year. The First Hikes begin on December 31st, New Year's Eve, at Rocky Fork, Radnor Lake and Paris Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, which will host midnight hikes. The First Hikes will continue throughout New Year’s Day...
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Smokies Hosts Holiday Homecoming at Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Thursday, December 19, 2019

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a Holiday Homecoming at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday, December 21, 2019. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Appalachian Christmas through hands-on crafts and activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and an old-time musical jam session from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. "Holiday Homecoming is about getting...
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North Carolina’s State Parks to Host First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

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North Carolina’s New Year’s Day tradition of outdoor family adventure, exercise and exploring nature continues in 2020 with First Day Hikes throughout the state parks system. More than 45 guided hikes are scheduled for New Year’s Day, featuring educational programs led by park rangers along the way. All state parks will be open on the holiday. In North Carolina, this popular tradition began at...
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Hiking books make great last-minute gifts!

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

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Christmas is just one week away. The good news is that you still have time to order last-minute gifts from Amazon and have them delivered to your home in time for Christmas - and you won't have to fight the crowds or the traffic! To help with last-minute gift ideas, I wanted to let you know that the paperback version of my book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking, is still available at 50% off the regular...
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Smokies Hosts Annual Festival of Christmas Past Program

Friday, December 13, 2019

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration this Saturday, December 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center. The festival will include mountain music, traditional shape note singing, mountain craft demonstrations, carolers, and a living history walk. Visitors are encouraged to take part in mountain traditions including hands-on...
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Winter Activities in Rocky Mountain National Park

Thursday, December 12, 2019

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Summer isn't the only time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter is also an absolutely wonderful time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the park. The park, as well as the area surrounding it, offers many outstanding outdoor opportunities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, downhill skiing, wildlife watching, dog sled rides, fat biking, ice fishing and even hiking. Even if you...
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ATC Submits Brief to Supreme Court Providing Perspective on Upcoming Case

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

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On December 9, 2019, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) submitted a brief to the Supreme Court providing its unique and historically based perspective on Cowpasture River Reservation Association, et al. v. United States Forest Service, an important case involving the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). This brief highlights the importance of preserving the cooperative management system, which maintains...
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National Park Service seeks public input to increase access to national park lands

Saturday, December 7, 2019

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The National Park Service (NPS) today announced it is seeking the public’s assistance to develop a list of national park lands that would benefit from new or increased access routes. This effort advances the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S.47), which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in March 2019. “Increasing the public’s awareness and access to...
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The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Grand Teton National Park

Thursday, December 5, 2019

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Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the high peaks of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Although many people seem to treat it as an afterthought, only visiting the park as a side trip while visiting its more famous neighbor to the north, more time and focus should be given to this stunning landscape. Within its 310,000 acres the majestic...
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“History of hiking” is now 50% off!

Monday, December 2, 2019

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Reminder: through Christmas, the paperback version of my book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking, is available at 50% off the regular price. Hiking enthusiasts can purchase the book on Amazon right now for only $9.95 (regular price is $18.95). Additionally, the Kindle e-book version of my book will be sold for just $4.99 through Cyber Weekend. This special price will be offered for one week only,...
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Smokies To Close Park Roads This Afternoon Ahead of Storm

Sunday, December 1, 2019

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In anticipation of a significant snowstorm forecasted for East Tennessee tonight through tomorrow night, the Great Smoky Mountains has just announced several road closures in a series of Tweets: US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC will close this evening at 5:00 PM due to significant winter weather. Foothills Parkway East at Cosby will be closing at 4 pm today due to...
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Is June a good time to visit Glacier National Park?

Monday, November 25, 2019

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Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but June is really a great time to visit Glacier National Park! Obviously July and August are by far the most popular months for visiting the park; however, if you wish to avoid the crowds, you may want to check-out the month of June. Sure, the Going-to-the-Sun Road likely won't be open all the way to Logan Pass until later in the month, but that doesn't mean there aren't...
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Audubon Invites You to Celebrate 120 Years of the Annual Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, November 23, 2019

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For the 120th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers will participate in counts across the Western Hemisphere. The twelve decades’ worth of data collected by participants continue to contribute to one of only two large existing pools of information notifying ornithologists and...
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Shining Rock Wilderness Temporarily Closed to All Visitors Due to Wildfire

Friday, November 22, 2019

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A wildfire was reported at approximately 3:00 am Thursday morning near Cold Mountain in Haywood County on the Pisgah Ranger District. Currently the fire is at approximately 106 acres. The wildfire is burning within the Shining Rock Wilderness on the Pisgah Ranger District. The U.S. Forest Service has implemented a forest closure order for the entire wilderness area which prohibits all recreational...
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“History of hiking” 50% off

Thursday, November 21, 2019

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As you're likely already aware, Black Friday is next week. As a result, I wanted to let you all know that my book will be on sale throughout the upcoming holiday season. Beginning today, and continuing through Christmas, the paperback version of Ramble On: A History of Hiking will be sold at 50% off the regular price. During this timeframe hiking enthusiasts will be able to purchase the book on...
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National Take a Hike Day

Sunday, November 17, 2019

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Did you know that today is “National Take a Hike Day”? Each year, on November 17th, National Take a Hike Day is observed by hikers across the country. Though the origins of this day seem to be a little murky, it appears that it may have been started by the American Hiking Society. Whenever and whoever started the day, hiking has its roots firmly planted in many of the same societal trends that shaped...
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Temporary Closures on Park Roads for Tree Removal Work

Saturday, November 16, 2019

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that single-lane and full-lane closures will affect several park roads beginning Monday, November 18 through Friday, March 31 for tree removal work. Closures are necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and tree-removal crews along the park’s narrow roadways during the work. The Cades Cove Loop Road will experience periods of full closure...
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Blue Ridge Parkway Invites Public Input on Proposed Special Events Involving Temporary Closures

Thursday, November 14, 2019

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The National Park Service announced today the opportunity to provide input on two proposed Special Use Permits which could include temporary, full closures of sections of the Parkway motor road near Roanoke, Virginia and Asheville, North Carolina, in the spring and summer of 2020. The Blue Ridge Parkway is reviewing a permit request from Revel Race Series to allow for a portion of a running event...
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Phase 1 of the Trillium Gap Trail Rehabilitation Project is nearing completion!

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced that the first phase of the Trillium Gap Trail Rehabilitation Project will be completed later this week. On their Facebook page this morning, the park stated that ⁣Thursday, November 14th, will be the last day of the closure for the 2019 season.⁣ According to the post:⁣ The first phase of the project focused on the rehabilitation of the trail starting...
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