Blue Ridge Parkway Increases Recreational Access to Campgrounds in NC and VA

Thursday, July 30, 2020

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Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Blue Ridge Parkway is increasing recreational access at campgrounds in both Virginia and North Carolina. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and...
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Smokies Cites SARs Stat in Facebook Post

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park cited an interesting stat in a Facebook post earlier today with regards to Search and Rescues (SARs) within the park. Here's the post: Know your limits! Before heading into the Park please plan and prepare accordingly. #trailstuesday Whether it is for a multi-day adventure, a quick day hike, or even just a drive through the Park, things can go wrong...
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Tunnel Ridge Road in Red River Gorge closed 3 weeks in August

Saturday, July 25, 2020

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Tunnel Ridge Road (Forest Route 39) in the Red River Gorge portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest will be closed approximately 3 weeks starting August 3. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced a restoration project on the bridge carrying Tunnel Ridge Road over the Mountain Parkway. Tunnel Ridge Road provides access to popular destinations such as Gray’s Arch and Auxier Ridge. The bridge...
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Great Smoky Mountains Proposes Mountain Bike Trail System in Wears Valley

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is proposing a mountain bike trail system within the Foothill Parkway Section 8D corridor in Wears Valley, Sevier County, Tennessee. The proposed project is needed because recreational access and opportunities are currently limited along unfinished sections of the Foothills Parkway, including Section 8D. The GSMNP General Management Plan and the original Foothills...
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Friends of the Smokies Resumes Classic Hikes of the Smokies Series

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

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As reported this past March, Friends of the Smokies was forced to postpone their Classic Hikes of the Smokies series due to the Covid outbreak. For those interested, the "Friends" group has recently resumed the series with a hike to Catalooche Divide last week. Fortunately there are several more hikes scheduled through the remainder of the year if anyone wishes to participate, and help support this...
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New Discount for Tennessee Residents at State Parks

Friday, July 17, 2020

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Tennessee State Parks is now offering a 10% Tennessee Resident Discount to make spending the night in the outdoors even more affordable. Residents can take advantage of the new 10% discount by phone or online at reserve.tnstateparks.com. Tennessee State Parks believe in the power and importance of spending time outside. That is why Tennessee is one of only six states to allow visitors to enter...
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National Forests in North Carolina Launch Digital Passes

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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Visitors to Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will have a convenient new way to pay day use fees at several recreation sites starting this summer. A new online platform allows visitors to pay day use fees using their personal computer or mobile device through Recreation.gov. There is no additional cost to pay fees online. To purchase a pass, go directly to www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72611,...
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Visitor Drowns at Blue Heron Area of Big South Fork

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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On July 10, at approximately 11:00 AM (ET), a male 52-year-old Stearns resident was swimming across from the Blue Heron Boat Launch with his family when he submerged underwater and never reappeared. The victim’s relatives reported the incident to park rangers 10 minutes later. The victim's body was recovered that evening, at approximately 8:00 PM, with assistance from: Obed Wild & Scenic River,...
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Upcoming Single-Lane Closure on King Branch Road

Friday, July 10, 2020

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park maintenance crews will implement a temporary, single-lane closure along King Branch Road on Tuesday, July 14 from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. to make pavement repairs. King Branch Road is located off the northbound Spur near Pigeon Forge, TN. The road will remain open during the single-lane closure, but motorists should anticipate delays. For more information...
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Access to Explore Park via the Blue Ridge Parkway Restored from the North

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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National Park Service (NPS) officials announced today that a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 112.4 to Milepost 115.5 is now open providing access to Explore Park from the north. This section is the northernmost portion of a larger closure put in place in late May after multiple landslides in the area. Access to Explore Park via the Parkway remains closed from the south, and through...
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Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisory Issued by Obed Wild & Scenic River

Monday, July 6, 2020

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On July 1, 2020, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a 6.7-mile extension of the existing precautionary fish consumption advisory due to mercury on the Emory River in Morgan County. Additionally, a new precautionary advisory due to mercury in smallmouth bass is being issued for a portion of Daddy’s Creek in Morgan and Cumberland Counties. Obed River fish were...
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Smokies Adds New "Emergency Manager" Position

Thursday, July 2, 2020

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park recently announced the hiring for a newly created "Emergency Manager" position. This new position will function to coordinate emergency medical response and search and rescue operations with responders inside the park in partnership with local agencies and organizations. Ranger Liz Hall will fill this new job. She will also lead preventative search and rescue efforts, such as providing safety information to hikers by staff and volunteers.

Ms. Hall comes to the Smokies from Yellowstone National Park, where she served in the Emergency Services office since 2017. Prior to her job in Emergency Services, Liz was a law enforcement ranger in the Lamar River District. Before working at Yellowstone National Park, Liz was a backcountry ranger at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska.

“I am excited that the park was able to fill this essential position with someone with the skill and experience that Liz holds,” added Lisa Hendy.

Liz has a master’s degree in public administration and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. She spends her free time volunteering with a local search and rescue team and working her search and rescue dog, Reu. She also enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and boating. Liz grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and she is excited to come home and work in the park that introduced her to conservation and the National Park Service. She is moving to the Smokies with her husband, Travis Hall, who is also a ranger, and their young son.







Jeff
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