Recreation+Gardening
Featured
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Wild, Wonderful, Waterfalls
As the only state fully engulfed in Appalachia, West Virginia has always stood out for its wild and wonderful expanses that include 1.5 million acres of parks and public lands.
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Beyond the Beaten Path
Graham County is a hiker’s paradise. From towering ancient forests and picturesque waterfalls to wildflower-blanketed balds and shimmering lake views, these trails aren’t just walks in the woods—they’re your pathway to adventure.
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Photo by Nick Nichols
Word from the Smokies
The mountains exert a powerful spell—but too often, that spell is broken by the sight of plastic bottles and candy wrappers scattered beside trailheads and overlooks.
Beyond the Beaten Path
Graham County is a hiker’s paradise. From towering ancient forests and picturesque waterfalls to wildflower-blanketed balds and shimmering lake views, these trails aren’t just walks in the woods—they’re your pathway to adventure.
Jun 1, 2025
Wild, Wonderful, Waterfalls
As the only state fully engulfed in Appalachia, West Virginia has always stood out for its wild and wonderful expanses that include 1.5 million acres of parks and public lands.
Jun 1, 2025
The Appalachian Way
The Appalachian spirit is one of resilience. Generations of people who have called these mountains home know how to weather storms, rebuild, and come back stronger.
Apr 1, 2025
On the Trail in the Smokies
If you’re looking for a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that offers solitude—and there actually are many—Alum Cave Trail is not your path. OK, perhaps it could be on a February weekday in a cold, driving rain.
Apr 1, 2025
Photo by Ben Dalton, courtesy of NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Amid Damage From Helene, Hellbenders May Get Endangered Species Listing
By now, the story of Hurricane Helene is a tragically familiar one: the endless rain, the swollen rivers, the angry water indiscriminately destroying lives and homes. The storm killed more than 230 people across five states.
Apr 1, 2025
Photo by Sandy Vandenburg
Word from the Smokies
Before National Geographic published its famous 1976 cover story detailing the search for the monarch butterfly’s wintering grounds, nobody knew where these strikingly beautiful creatures vanished when the weather grew cold.
Apr 1, 2025
WNC Skier Shares Love of Sport with Family, Community
On the weekdays, Alex Masciarelli proudly works as principal of Junaluska Elementary School in Waynesville, North Carolina. But, on the weekends during this time of year, he’s also a member of the Ski Patrol at Cataloochee Ski Area.
Feb 1, 2025
Rehab Efforts Begin on Popular Smokies Trail
The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Feb 1, 2025
