Newfound Gap Road is closed again in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

Once again the main road in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is closed due to snow and ice.

Since it is still snowing in the higher elevations in the GSMNP Newfound Gap may not reopen today.

Reports of another Aggressive Bear Shot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Unconfirmed reports came in of a black bear that was shot and killed by a national park service ranger after it acted aggressively near backcountry campsite 10 on Russell Field Trail.

3 separate hikers along the Appalachian Trail made identical claims that a National Park Service Ranger told them that a black bear started acting aggressively toward the ranger who shot and killed the bear near the backcountry campsite which has been closed for a few weeks.

If correct, this occurrence of yet another aggressive black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park took place less than 2 miles from where I was personally stalked by a medium sized black bear.

While the wild boars have been more brazen than ever before in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, it unfortunately seems as though the black bear might be as well.

Even with the latest incidents people planning on coming to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park must understand that is and extremely safe place to recreate and most serious injuries or deaths are a result of car accidents and drowning.

Tick bites and yellow jacket stings should be for more of a concern for backcountry hikers and campers than an attack by a wild animal. By following basic camping and hiking safety rules you will protect the environment, the wildlife that inhabits the park and everyone in your group.

Further information and confirmation to follow.

Smoky Mountains National Park Horse Camping

Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fun for the whole family, but camping with your own horse in the national park is an unforgettable experience.

Spring time in the Smokies means the opening of campgrounds where you can go camping with your horse in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and most of the campgrounds will be opening on April 1st.

The horse camps scheduled to open on April 1st are Anthony Creek NC, Big Creek, Cataloochee NC, and Towstring NC.

Unfortunately they are sill doing construction on the Straight Fork/Balsam Mountain Road so the Round Bottom campgrounds will remain closed until the construction is complete.

Reservations for horse camps can be made online at www.Recreation.Gov. The fee for your Horse is $20 per night except for Big Creek where it is $25 per night.

Horse camping information, rules and regulations for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park