Did You Know…National Park Week is April 20-28

Did You Know…National Park Week is April 20-28

Thursday, March 21, 2013

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The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to get to know their national parks during National Park Week. This year’s dates are April 20 – 28, with free admission to all national parks April 22 – 26.

“This year’s theme, ‘Did you know…’ provides a fun way to discover the wonders of America’s national parks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “For example, did you know that there are national parks in 49 of 50 states? Did you know that national parks include seashores, battlefields, and historic homes? Did you know that the country’s highest peak, lowest point, tallest tree, deepest lake and longest cave are in national parks? Did you know that you probably live within an hour or two of a national park? National Park Week is a great time for all Americans to visit a nearby national park to camp and hike, watch wildlife, stroll a Civil War battlefield, and connect with our heritage and each other.”

National Park Week is also a good time to explore local parks, trails, and architectural gems sustained through National Park Service programs such as the Rivers Trails Conservation Assistance program and the National Register of Historic Places.

The annual celebration includes special events such as Junior Ranger Day on April 20 and Earth Day on April 22. Find a list of ranger-led programs and plan your adventures at nationalparkweek.org. You can also use the website to share your park experiences and photos and help support parks.

“National Park Week is a perfect time to celebrate America’s best idea – our national parks,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We are proud to stand with our partners at the National Park Service in presenting this annual event and hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to enjoy and support these outstanding places.”

We think some of the best parks to visit - anytime of year - are Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But hey, that's just our opinion!


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

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National Park Week, April 21-29, Features Free Admission and Nationwide Events

National Park Week, April 21-29, Features Free Admission and Nationwide Events

Monday, March 19, 2012

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The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, invite people everywhere to enjoy, explore, learn, share, and give back to America’s nearly 400 national parks during National Park Week 2012.

Celebrating the theme, “Picture Yourself in a National Park,” National Park Week will run from Saturday, April 21 through Sunday, April 29. Throughout the country, visitors can enjoy the beauty and wonder of 84 million acres of the world’s most spectacular scenery, historic places and cultural treasures for FREE!

National parks will mark the annual celebration with special events and activities including Volunteer Day on April 21, Earth Day on April 22, and Junior Ranger Day on April 28. From ranger-led hikes and kayak trips to camping and exploring, park visitors can plan their National Park Week at www.nationalparkweek.org. Discover information about events, special activities for visitors of all ages, how to share your park adventure with other travelers, and how to support the parks.

“America’s national parks have something for everyone,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “Take a break and experience something new, enjoy some fresh air, get some exercise, and see where history happened. And, since admission is free to all 397 parks, all week long, National Park Week is a great time to get up, get out, and explore a park.”

“This is our annual celebration of America’s best idea – our national parks,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We are proud to stand with our partners at the National Park Service and encourage people everywhere to enjoy, learn from and support our nation’s greatest treasures.”


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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GSMA is giving away Smokies App during National Park Week

GSMA is giving away Smokies App during National Park Week

Monday, April 18, 2011

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During National Park Week (through April 25), the Great Smoky Mountains Association is giving away its Best of the Great Smoky Mountains app. The comprehensive app contains a bundle of six guides to help plan your trip to the Smokies - or experience the park without leaving the house.

The app includes:

* Favorite Destinations
* Black Bears
* Recreation (including auto touring, camping, picknicking, horse camping and riding, etc.)
* Concerns, guidelines, and tips (including what to do if you see a bear)
* Services, including restrooms, visitor centers, and concessions in the parks
* Offline Park road map
* Auto Touring in the Smokies
* Cades Cove Tour
* Day Hikes Favorites
* Self-Guiding Nature Trails
* Waterfall Favorites
* Park Trail Map

To download your free app from the iTunes website, just click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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National Park Week (free entrance April 16-24)

National Park Week (free entrance April 16-24)

Saturday, March 19, 2011

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Need some fresh air to clear your mind? How about a stroll through a garden to mellow out the stress of a busy day? Or maybe winter has packed on a few extra pounds, and it's time to hit the bike trails again.

America's 394 national parks offer many close-to-home opportunities for outdoor recreation. A growing number of doctors even write "Park Prescriptions" to get patients outside and active. The growing connection between public lands and public health is the focus of National Park Week, April 16-24. Entrance to all national parks is free throughout the week.

"National parks have always been great places to go on vacation, have fun, and learn something, but for millions of Americans national parks are also a daily part of a healthy lifestyle," National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said. "If you've never thought of your national parks that way, we'd like to invite you to come out to see how parks can help you meet your fitness goals. Getting outside and moving is the first step."

In addition to waiving entrance fees throughout the week, national parks and park partners are offering programs as part of National Park Week festivities, including Shenandoah National Park, Congaree National Park and Stones River National Battlefield. For more information on all of the special events scheduled during National Park Week, please click here.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Shenandoah N.P. lodging offers BOGO deal during National Park Week

Shenandoah N.P. lodging offers BOGO deal during National Park Week

Sunday, April 11, 2010

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In honor of National Park Week and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this month, Shenandoah National Park's Skyland Resort is offering a special promotion where guests can book one night and receive the second night free. The offer is valid April 18-29, 2010.

ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, recently announced several deals on lodging, tours and retail items in conjunction with the National Park Service's Fee-Free promotion and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

In addition to receiving free entrance to the national parks April 17-25, visitors can take advantage of buy-one-get-one free offers on lodging and tours at select destinations managed by ARAMARK. Guests can also receive 40 percent off select 100 percent recycled tees at retail shops during the week of April 17-25 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

Guests of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia can book one night at Skyland Resort, priced at $125, and receive the second consecutive night FREE. This offer is valid April 18-29, 2010. Please click here for more information.

ARAMARK is offering similar deals at other parks as well, including Mesa Verde National Park, Olympic National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, as well as the Togwotee Mountain Lodge near Yellowstone National Park. Please click here for more information.


> If you're planning on doing some hiking at Shenandoah, please click here for a list of trails and some recommended hikes.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

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Cades Cove expected to open one month early

Cades Cove expected to open one month early

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

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Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent Dale Ditmanson has announced that the popular Cades Cove Loop is expected to reopen Saturday, April 24, about a month earlier than had been projected. Ditmanson credits capable management and aggressive efforts by the contractor, APAC-Atlantic, Inc., Harrison Division, and the cooperation of the Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with financial incentives built into the contract for the early completion.

In recognition of the completion of this long-overdue project and of National Park Week, the Park is planning two celebratory events. A Field Day has been set for Saturday, April 24 when only bicycles and pedestrians will be permitted on the road until noon. On Sunday morning, April 25 the Park and the Friends of the Smokies are planning a one-time-only “Cades Cove Loop Lope”, which will offer pre-registered runners a choice of the full 11 mile loop or a 3.5 mile loop course. Both events are being planned to minimize visitor inconvenience.

“We are really pleased to be able to get the Loop Road open earlier than planned, despite a much harder than average winter.” Ditmanson said. “We know how much our visitors look forward to including Cades Cove on the itinerary, and we are also sensitive to the impact that the closure has had on the tourism-driven economies in our gateway communities.”

Historically the Park has declined requests to permit foot and bicycle road races in the Cove, due to the heavy visitation that Cades Cove attracts and the knowledge that events of this nature would be very popular. In this instance, Park managers, in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, are organizing this one-time event in recognition of the first major facelift that the Loop Road has had since 1978.

The weekend’s activities also coincide with National Park Week, a nation-wide celebration in National Park areas when visitors are encouraged to get out and enjoy the great American outdoors.

The Park has traditionally limited the Loop Road to bicycles and pedestrians until 10 a.m. each Saturday and Wednesday from early May through September, but they have extended this one “bicycle closure” until noon to accommodate an anticipated greater number of people. They are also expanding the parking area available to Loop visitors through use of one of the mowed pastures, and will be limiting access to the Cove beyond the Townsend Wye to those coming to bike or walk until noon on Saturday the 24th of April.

Details for those interested in participating in Sunday’s run will be posted on the Friends of the Smokies website in the next several days, but it is expected that participants will have to pre-register. Participants are encouraged to ride share due to parking limitations; a maximum of 150 vehicle passes will be made available on a first come, first served basis. As with all funds raised by the Friends on behalf of the park, the event fee will go to support a wide range of Park programs. The run will step off at 8:00 a.m. so that the road can be re-opened to vehicles by 12 noon. Due to very limited parking at the beginning of the Loop Road, vehicle access past the Townsend “Wye” will be restricted to registered runners and campers until the race is over.

In addition to the road improvements, visitors to the Cove will also be able to view improvements to the Cades Cove Store and Bicycle rental facilities, which have taken place over the past several months.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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National Park Service will waive entrance fees during National Park Week

National Park Service will waive entrance fees during National Park Week

Thursday, March 25, 2010

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced on Tuesday that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25. Parks will also offer additional family friendly activities and special offers on tours, lodging, food, and souvenirs.

“We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a national park and help celebrate National Park Week,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days.”

“National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America’s Great Outdoors during National Park Week.”

There will be hundreds of family friendly events on Saturday, April 24, for National Junior Ranger Day. Each child participating in Junior Ranger activities will receive a certificate, patch, or pin.

Other National Park Week highlights include the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 75th anniversary of the nation’s most visited national park – the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Normally, 146 of 392 national parks charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. The other 246 do not charge for admission. The fee free waiver for National Park Week does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors—such as fees charged for camping, reservations and use of concessions.

A listing of parks and promotions is available at www.nps.gov/npweek.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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