National Park Week: Free Admission, extra events

National Park Week offers free admission and extra events at all national parks. From April 19-26, 2014, National Park Week gives visitors another reason to get out and explore the great outdoors.

Those who live in the East Tennessee area are fortunate to be in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the number one most visited park in the United States.

Activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park go beyond the Cades Cove loop road.
Great hiking and kayaking experiences or picnics. Park rangers provide a ready stream of educational walks, wildlife talks and history lessons.

The full schedule of events is on the National Park website.  http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/events.htm

Big South Fork National River and Recreation area is opening a new visitor center just in time for National Park Week. The Gateway to Big South Fork Visitor Center will have a ribbon cutting and open house on April 17. It will be staffed by the Chamber of Commerce and park rangers. What better place to begin your Big South Fork getaway? http://www.nps.gov/biso/parknews/grand-opening-of-the-gateway-to-the-big-south-fork-visitor-center-in-crossville.htm