Word from the Smokies: Park program welcomes people with disabilities into the backcountry
Growing up, Blount County native Carly Pearson considered time outdoors a way of life. When she wasn’t exploring the stunningly diverse landscape of nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she was giving it her all on the soccer field.
Paddling ahead: Nantahala Outdoor Center enters new chapter
It’s not lost on Colin McBeath how unique and cherished the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is to locals and visitors alike.
Jackson hosts camping event
Come out to the Ralph J. Andrews Campground on Lake Glenville for a family camping event.
Forest Service proposes recreation fee changes
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at several recreation areas on the Nantahala and Uwharrie National Forests and the public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 60 days beginning on May 3 through July 2, 2024.
Throwing it down in Waynetown: First skateboard competition to be held in May
To hear local skateboarding impresario Jared Lee tell it, there wasn’t much to do in Haywood County for young skaters growing up during the sport’s early boom in the 1980s.
More ranger-led programs set for 2024
The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Catalyst Sports, Knox County, Kampgrounds of America Foundation and Friends of the Smokies, announced the expansion of adaptive ranger-led programs in 2024.
Enjoy WNC’s hiking trails
Western North Carolina is a hiker’s paradise.
With so much land protected by national and state forests and parks, those who live in the Western North Carolina area have endless hiking opportunities.
Hike Haywood County
Haywood County Recreation will host a series of spring hikes throughout April. Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
WNC outdoors recreation survey highlights economic impact of industry
The MADE X MTNS Partnership released the results of the Western North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, conducted in partnership with the Center for Economic Research & Policy Analysis at Appalachian State University and the Institute of Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana, to establish a foundational dataset supporting the economic impact of outdoor recreation participation in the region.
Green Energy Park returns to normal hours
After completing its maintenance cycle, Jackson County’s Green Energy Park in Dillsboro will resume normal operations and will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.