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Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Though Revered As America's Iconic Long-Distance Trail, the Appalachian Trail Could Use Some Help

The focus of many long-distance hikers' dreams, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail can be a life-long end-to-end goal ... or a weekend outing. It knits together both a slice of Americana, and a society of folks who set off in search of adventure.
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The Joys of Maintaining the Appalachian National Scenic Trail

My husband, Lenny, and I have been maintaining a section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail for more than 20 years, first in New York State and now on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. For the last eight years, we’ve been the proud adopted parents of 4.9 miles from Devils Fork Gap to Rice Gap located north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and south of Hot Springs, North Carolina.

Groups Argue Against Transmission Line Proposal for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Transmission-line corridors sprouting 200-foot-tall towers should not be permitted within the National Park System, according to a coalition of groups opposing such a corridor through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River.
Image icon Final Joint DEWA Powerline Scoping Comments 3.12.10.pdf

Public Comment Period On Transmission Lines at Delaware Water Gap NRA, Appalachian Trail Extended

High public interest has prompted the superintendents of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River and National Recreation Water Trail to extend by a week the public comment period on a proposal to run a transmission line across the areas.

Power Line Debate at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Highlights National Issues

A classic battle between utility companies and environmental groups at Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area is the latest example of similar issues all across the country. This debate is over a proposed major "upgrade" of existing power lines that cross the park, and public meetings will be held this week. You can also comment from afar if you're interested.

Road Proposal Stirs Controversy Along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail

In the spring of 1948, Pennsylvania native Earl Shaffer stumbled into Stecoah Gap on the Appalachian Trail, high above the Little Tennessee River in western North Carolina’s Graham County. “I must have been a pathetic figure,” he wrote later in his memoirs, “streaming with sweat, bleeding from scratches, every muscle aching, crawling endlessly in a back-slipping, bush-clutching struggle before coming out on top.”

Appalachian Trail Visitation Study Has Breakthrough Implications for Linear Park Visitor Tallies

Survey researchers are testing and tweaking new procedures for obtaining Appalachian Trail visitation estimates. The new methodology should yield much more defensible visitation tallies for trails and linear parks with numerous backcountry access points.

Winter: The Perfect Time To Plan Your Long-Distance Trek Along National Scenic Trails

Winter is a season for planning. How better to pass some of those long, cold, snowy nights than before the fire or a the kitchen table with guidebooks and maps, calculators and checklists? And if you’re thinking of tackling one of the country’s long-distance hiking trails, planning is definitely not over-rated. Here’s a look at some of the trails that pass through parts of the National Park System, and what planning assistance is out there.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

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

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.