Tag Archive: National Park Service

Another Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rescue

Another Great Smoky Mountains National Park rescue took place this past weekend. Vetice Bates was rescued from Snake Den Ridge Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mr. Bates is a volunteer Trail Blazer with the National Park Service. He was riding a horse as part of the backcountry horsemen when he was injured. He fell from his horse about 8:00pm Saturday night. A nighttime rescue was not possible due to heavy fog. Other members that where with him spent the night with Bates after setting up shelter. Sunday morning the Tennessee Highway Patrol aviation unit and the Great Smoky…
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Happy Birthday National Park Service!

Recently the Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the 98th birthday of the National Park Service. President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation on August 25, 1916 that created the National Park Service. At the time there were 37 national parks. In 2016 the National Park Service will celebrate big for the 100th birthday. The National Park Service mission on the website states “The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural  resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates  with partners to extend the benefits of natural…
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Open Seasonal Roads as Spring and Warm Weather Arrive

Major roads in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park such as US-441 (Newfound Gap Road), Little River Road, and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open year round when weather permits. As warm weather and spring time arrives the park will begin to open the secondary roads normally closed in the Winter. Clingmans Dome Road will open April 1 Little Greenbrier Road will  open April 11 Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this road. Parson Branch Road will open April 11 Rich Mountain Road will open April 11 Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this one-way…
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Pisgah Inn Forced by NPS to Close, Entrances Blocked

The privately owned Pisgah Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina was forced to close by the National Park Service. Park rangers have blocked the three entrances to the Pisgah Inn. A protest took place Saturday Oct. 5 by conservative activists. Park service management out of Washington directed the local parkway chief to block access to the inn. Pisgah Inn operates on leased land along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s 470-mile federal road is open but facilities, campgrounds, picnic areas, and bathrooms are closed due to the government shutdown.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closed Due to Govt. Shutdown

Due to the Government Shutdown on October 1, the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. Also the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed with all Visitors Centers closed. Entrances to the park are gated and locked. Campers in the park have 48 hours to leave. The GSMNP website is down with a statement that reads “Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed and National Park Service webpages are not operating. For more information, go to www.doi.gov.”

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