Recreation+Gardening
Featured
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West Virginia Department of Tourism photo
Hold Onto Your Helmets
Fact: kids love playing in the mud. The bigger the kid, the bigger the mud puddle required, as the creators of West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy Trails have discovered to their delight. Read more
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Park Association Publishes Fish Field Guide
Great Smoky Mountains Association has published a field guide dedicated to the aquatic residents of the Smokies. Small enough to fit in a pocket, Fishes of the Smokies includes detailed photography and key details for each species featured. Read more
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Sue Wasserman photo
A Conversation With the Smokies’ Resident Writer
In 2019, Sue Wasserman found out she’d been chosen to spend six weeks living in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the 2020 Steve Kemp Writer in Residence, a program funded by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Read more
Photo courtesy Ben Anderson
On the Trail in the Smokies
It’s difficult to imagine a more popular part of the Appalachian Trail than the 4-mile stretch from Newfound Gap to the colorfully named Charlies Bunion in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more
Aug 1, 2022
Mike Wurman photo
Resurrection, At A Price
A visit to Max Patch is like eating dessert before vegetables, I decided after making my first trip there that fall. You exit the car, walk half a mile or so, and cash in on the view. Read more
Aug 1, 2022
NOC Archives
Fun, Friendship and Adventure
In 1971, National Public Radio, Federal Express and Disney World were all born. Apollo astronaut Alan Shepard became the fifth person to walk on the moon and the first to try golfing on it. Read more
Jun 1, 2022
Karen Kays photo
Out-Hiking the Clouds
Somewhere around the time winter was surrendering to spring, my mom sent me an unusual text message. “I have a proposition for you,” she wrote. “I’ll tell you the next time we talk.” Read more
Jun 1, 2022
Holly Kays photo
On the Trail in the Smokies
Whenever the high-elevation Heintooga Ridge Road is open—typically from mid-May through October—and the weather is favorable, a hike on Hemphill Bald Trail is an excellent choice. Read more
Jun 1, 2022
Xavier Reyes photo
A Conversation With the Smokies’ Species Hunter
Since 2018, Will Kuhn has served as director of science and research for Discover Life in America, a nonprofit partner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more
Jun 1, 2022
Scottish Flavor in Upstate Golf
When you step onto a tee box at Links O’Tryon, you could easily imagine yourself getting ready for a round of mountain golf, with plenty of scenic vistas. Or a round of Sandhills golf, not unlike Pinehurst. Read more
Jun 1, 2022
Holly Kays photo
Season of Awakening
Heavy fog is lifting to a gorgeous mountain morning as I heft my bulging backpack to the rear of the 15-passenger van, greeting the women with whom I’ll be spending the next 36 hours. Read more
Apr 1, 2022
