Parkway Announces Facility Opening and Closing Dates for 2012

Blue Ridge Parkway facilities will open for the 2012 season on a staggered basis beginning in early April. Linville Falls campground in NC opens April 2 and Otter Creek in VA opens April 6. All other Parkway campgrounds open May 11. Picnic Areas at Peaks of Otter and Humpback Rocks in VA and at Linville Falls in NC open April 6. All other picnic areas open May 11.

The Peaks of Otter Lodge & Restaurant is open year round. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals near Spruce Pine, NC (Milepost 331), and in Asheville, NC the Folk Art Center (Milepost 382) and the Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 384) are year round facilities. Other Parkway visitor centers begin opening in late April.

The full schedule of opening dates and hours of operation can be seen by clicking here.


Jeff
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Shenandoah National Park Plans Prescribed Burns for 2012

Shenandoah National Park Fire Managers are planning several prescribed burns in the park this year. Ignition of prescribed fire is dependent on favorable weather conditions, and due to weather uncertainty, it is not possible to predict the exact dates for each burn.

Prescribed fires are ignited by fire managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, including weather, fuel moisture and resource availability, in order to accomplish specific resource management objectives. The following burns are planned for this year:

� Big Meadows Prescribed Burn: A portion of Big Meadows, the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, is burned each year. Between now and April, approximately 35-65 acres will be treated using controlled fire for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment by trees and shrubs.

� Jarman Gap Prescribed Burn: Two sections totaling 508 acres will be burned over two to three days in the early spring. This prescribed burn is located in the South District from Sawmill Run Overlook to Jarman Gap. The burn is designed to improve habitat for yellow pine and oak communities which require fire to regenerate.

� HQ RAWS Field Prescribed Burn: Approximately one acre located at park headquarters will be treated with controlled fire in order to reduce woody plants in the vicinity of one of the park's Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS).

All prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.






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US Forest Service announces 2012 fee waiver days

The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday eight dates for the new year when national forests nationwide will waive fees that are usually collected to support forest maintenance and amenities.

�We encourage the public to get outdoors in America�s vast and dynamic playground,� said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. �We hope that visiting your beautiful national forests and grasslands will help people gain a deep appreciation for natural resources, and create lifelong memories.�

Visitors to national forests will not pay fees on the following dates in 2012:

� Jan. 14-16 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend

� June 9 -- Get Outdoors Day

� Sept. 29 -- National Public Lands Day

� Nov. 10-12 -- Veterans Day weekend

Despite the Forest Service�s fee waivers, the agency does not usually charge for visitors to national forests. In fact, the Forest Service does not charge for access on 98 percent of its land. More than two-thirds of the Forest Service�s approximately 18,000 recreation sites nationwide can be used for free. They include picnic sites, campsites, beach and lake areas, trails, boat launches, and cabins.


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Pigeon Forge Ranks #4 on TripAdvisor's Top U.S. Destinations on the Rise

TripAdvisor, the world�s largest travel website, announced their top 15 U.S. destinations on the rise for 2012 today. The rankings are comprised of destinations which have seen a remarkable increase in traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.com over the last year.

Coming in at #4 on the list was Pigeon Forge. Here's what TripAdvisor had to say about the "Forge":

Set against the misty blue backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is a gateway to 500 thousand acres of Appalachian wilderness. If hiking over 800 miles of mountain trails and camping in dense ancient forests is a step too far, travelers can head to Dollywood for rollercoasters and waterslides.

Also making the list, and ranking #13, was Asheville, North Carolina.

And, to visit the #1 destination on the rise, just hop on I-40 West and drive over to the Music City. Nashville is indeed a very fun city.

To see the entire list, please click here.



Jeff
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2012 BRP and Smokies Calendars

Looking for a cool stocking stuffer? Check out some of the new 2012 calendars for the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway now available for purchase on our Amazon store. Both wall calendars include stunning scenic photos by acclaimed photographer, J. Scott Graham.


Our HikingintheSmokys.com Amazon affiliate store also carries several other hiking and national park related calendars, as well as calendars for the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. You can view our entire selection by clicking onto our store, and then clicking on the "Gift Ideas" tab.

Thanks for your support!

Holiday Sock Sale - Up to 30% off



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National Parks Announce Fee Free Days for 2012

To encourage Americans to explore America�s natural beauty, rich history and culture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.

Salazar emphasized that our national parks and public lands serve as an economic engine for many local communities, supports jobs and driving tourism. Recreation in national parks, refuges, and other public lands fueled nearly $55 billion in economic activity and supported 440,000 jobs in 2009. The fee free dates for 2012 are:

* January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend)

* April 21 to 29 (National Park Week)

* June 9 (Get Outdoors Day)

* September 29 (National Public Lands Day)

* November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend).

More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will waive their entrance and standard amenity fees January 14 to 16, June 9, September 29, and November 10 to 12.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also have a fee free day on October 14 in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Bureau of Reclamation will waive standard amenity fees on September 29 and November 12. Many park-related hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and tour operators will offer specials on fee free days. �The majority of national parks don�t have an entrance fee and those that do charge a maximum of $25 a week for an entire family� said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. �We realize there are additional expenses when visiting a park so many associated businesses will have discounts and enhancements on the fee free days.� �One of the great things about a national park vacation is it can be as economical or luxurious as desired,� added Jarvis. �A visit can be a few hours or several days. One could pack their lunch or eat at a snack bar, cafeteria, or gourmet dining room. One could sleep under the stars in the backcountry or stay in a campground, motel, or majestic lodge.

There is something for everyone at each of the country�s 395 national parks. So mark the dates, grab a friend or family member � especially one that has never been to a park before � and come visit one of your national parks.�


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2012 Great Smoky Mountains Calendar

Beginning today, the brand new 2012 Great Smoky Mountains calendar is now available for purchase on Amazon. The wall calendar includes stunning scenic photos by acclaimed photographer, J. Scott Graham.

Our HikingintheSmokys.com Amazon affiliate store also carries several other hiking and national park related calendars, as well as calendars for the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail. You can view our entire selection by clicking onto our store, and then clicking on the "Gift Ideas" tab.


Thanks for your support!


Jeff
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