Great Smoky Mountains National Park To Charge For Backcountry Camping

A measure to introduce a fee for backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was adopted last year, goes into effect 2 days from now, on February 13th. The National Park Service has said that fees collected will allow for more staff and longer hours in the Backcountry Office, in order to provide more trip planning assistance for potential visitors.

The system for obtaining permits is still being finalized and the latest information can be found at the Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping website, but the word so far is that it will be $4 per person per night to camp in the backcountry and that an online reservation system is in the works.

Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, so be sure familiarize yourself with the new system in advance and nab your reservations before someone beats you to it!

Whitewater and (Much) More: U.S. National Whitewater Center - Video

Climbing wall at the USNWC

Located on the Catawba River, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is an à la carte outdoor sports heaven. Let me explain.

The 400-acre, non profit "outdoor recreation and athletic training facility" offers over 2 dozen activities to anyone who wants to participate, ranging from stand-up paddle boarding to rock climbing, a survival school, trail races and triathlons, and seemingly everything in between.

In addition to a multitude of outdoor activities, the USNWC offers a dog-friendly environment where you can hang out and catch a meal, watch whitewater rafters and kayakers on the world's largest recirculating artificial whitewater river, and even attend a music festival or two.