Outdoors
Research to test for contamination near Canton mill property
A research project aiming to understand contamination levels outside the fence line of the now-shuttered Canton paper mill is likely to draw more than a quarter-million dollars in state funding to test soil, water and air samples nearby.
Smokies proposes new Foothills Parkway section
Through Nov. 18, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is accepting comments on a proposal to add 9 new miles to the Foothills Parkway, extending it from Wears Valley to the spur near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Mount Pisgah platform under construction
Crews are now working to reconstruct the viewing platform atop Mount Pisgah in the Pisgah National Forest, a project that is expected to take about two weeks to finish.
Visit the Waynesville Watershed
A 4-mile hike exploring the Waynesville Watershed will embark at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Panther Top Tower open for fall leaf views
The Panther Top Tower in the Nantahala National Forest near Murphy will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 4-5, offering spectacular views of fall colors in the surrounding mountains.
Explore Haywood
Spend November exploring some of the region’s most beautiful hikes with a slate of excursions offered through Haywood County Recreation and Parks.
Hike among hemlocks
Experience the hemlock trees growing at the historic Cradle of Forestry in America during a hike starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.
Search for spiders
The North Carolina Spider Search, which runs Oct. 21-29, is now underway.
Experience Panthertown
A pair of opportunities to explore the geologic wonder that is Panthertown Valley near Cashiers will be offered over the coming weeks.
