The dulcet sounds of dulcimers, the earthy smell of an overturned field ready for spring planting, backwoods crafts and more will greet travelers who attend Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area's 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27. This festival celebrates the Appalachian way of life that has been an integral part of the history of the Big South Fork area.

Unseasonably dry conditions have led to fire restrictions and bans in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Obed National Wild and Scenic River, and Shenandoah National Park.

There are, across the National Park System, dozens and dozens of jewels that don't attract crowds while offering you gorgeous landscapes, deep history, and rich experiences. Here's a look at some of those places that the National Parks Traveler wrote about this year.

Trail crews at Big South Fork National River and Recreation area in Kentucky and Tennessee have completed the repair and rehabilitation of both Station Camp Creek and Bear Creek Loop Horse Trails, which had suffered under heavy rain events that occurred from 2019-2021.