Great Smoky Mountain National Park Recruiting Volunteers

Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are recruiting volunteers to adopt a trail. There are 848 miles of maintained trails across the park. Volunteers are needed to hike at least one designated trail, four times per year, and then submit a report on their findings. Information that volunteers provide from hiking their adopted trail is critical in helping park trail maintenance staff better prioritize work. Through this coordinated effort, the park can better ensure that trails remain accessible for visitors and that trailside resources are protected. No experience is required, but prospective volunteers should be comfortable hiking in the back country and enjoy interaction with visitors. Volunteers must attend 3-hours of required training which includes information on how the park maintains trails, how to report relevant trail needs information, and how to report relevant trail needs information, and how to instill “Leave No Trace” practices while hiking. Those trailing classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC on Friday April 29 or at Sugarland’s Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN on Saturday April 30. For more information or to volunteer you can contact Trails and Facilities Volunteer Coordinator Adam Monroe by phone at 828-497-1949.