Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Parks Traveler Episode 10: How Not To Get Lost, Sketching Birds, Hiking Peaked Hill Bars

National Parks Traveler Episode 10: Staying Found In The Parks, Artist Molly Hashimoto, Hiking Peaked Hill Bars

In this week's episode, Andrew Herrington, a search-and-rescue expert at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, outlines how to stay safe on your hikes into the backcountry, while artist Molly Hashimoto explains how she comes away from her park visits with beautiful bird sketches, drawings, and paintings. Finally, we take a short hike into the Peaked Hill Bars Historic District at Cape Cod National Seashore.

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Hypothermia Claimed The Life Of Woman Who Went Missing At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hypothermia can be an insidious malady. In short, its onset is caused by loss of body heat. So much loss that your body can't generate enough heat to offset the loss. When that happens, without quick care, you go into a downward spiral that can include confusion and clumsiness and lead to death. That's what happened to an Ohio woman who got lost in Great Smoky Mountains National Park last fall.

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By Kurt Repanshek - April 7th, 2019 2:00am

UPDATED | National Park System Visitation Dropped 13 Million In 2018, To 318.2 Million

Volcanics, no solar eclipse, and wildfires no doubt all played a role in the decline of visitation to the National Park System in 2018, when slightly more than 318 million visits were recorded, a drop of 13 million from the year before.

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By Kurt Repanshek - March 5th, 2019 12:07pm

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Visitation Bumped Up In 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a record 11,421,203 visitors in 2018. That slight, 0.7 percent increase over 2017, was attributed to the opening of the new section of the Foothills Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley in November.

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By NPT Staff - February 22nd, 2019 1:45am

Panel To Discuss Smokies 900-Miler Trail Challenge

One of the best ways to explore a national park is on foot, and few parks offer a trail system as extensive as Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s nearly 900 miles. On Tuesday, February 19 at 7 p.m., Friends of the Smokies and Nantahala Brewing’s Asheville Outpost will host a panel discussion featuring three individuals who have completed every single trail in the park – also known at the ‘Smokies 900-Miler Challenge.’

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By NPT Staff - February 5th, 2019 1:30am

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Drugs, Not Bear Attack, Killed Man At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Drugs, not a bear, killed a Tennessee man who headed into Great Smoky Mountains National Park last fall to poach ginseng roots, according to the autopsy results.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 4th, 2019 8:30pm

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Unease Hangs Over National Parks As Partial Shutdown Continues

Sinking morale among the National Park Service ranks and accumulating human waste and garbage are just some of the symptoms of the ongoing government shutdown that has left many national parks open but without adequate staffing. Not so visible are the impacts being suffered in long-term environmental monitoring, work on visitor management plans and environmental impact statements, and even potential setbacks to the hiring of next summer's seasonal rangers.

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By Kurt Repanshek - January 9th, 2019 11:11am

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Campground Usage Study Suggests National Park Service Alter Fee Structure

National park campgrounds could be managed more profitably, according to a nonprofit research organization, which suggests the National Park Service raise cancellation fees and possibly consider a surge pricing system during the busy seasons.

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By NPT Staff - December 24th, 2018 1:30am

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Stargazing Party Scheduled For Saturday At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A stargazing party is planned for Saturday night in Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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By NPT Staff - November 15th, 2018 1:15am

Federal Judge Rules Against U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service In Red Wolf Case

A federal judge has ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by rolling back protections for the only wild population of red wolves in North Carolina.

red_wolf_summ_judgement_order.11.5.18.pdf

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By NPT Staff - November 6th, 2018 2:00am

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The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks