Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Great Smoky Mountain National Park will implement their new and somewhat controversial fees for backcountry camping. The $4 per night permits will go into effect on February 13. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about getting reservations way in advance for this romantic trip since [ more... ]

During a public commenting period 230 people wrote in and two petitions were launched. The overwhelming sentiment was “keep the Smokys free.” Beginning in 2013 people who camp overnight in the backcountry will have to pay a per-day fee, likely $4 per night. The park won’t use the off-the-shelf software from recreation.gov to manage the [ more... ]