The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians strongly resisted the Indian Removal Act of 1830, even as many other Native American tribes were forced westward and out of their own established lands. After the signing of the Treaty of New Echota, thousands of the Cherokee people who walked the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma died. The rest resettled … Read more
In terms of outdoor recreation, my native state of Georgia is home to 50+ state parks and historic sites and more than a dozen national parks and forests. Our plethora of options to explore includes majestic mountains, ancient geological formations, canyons carved out over the course of time, wild and scenic rivers, and a seemingly endless array of … Read more
The Appalachian Trail extends 2,190 miles north to south in the eastern United States. Nearly a quarter of that—more than 550 miles— lies within (or along the borders of) the state of Virginia. The AT in Virginia passes by award-winning VA state parks, through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, and into the world-renowned … Read more
[Updated April 6, 2022] If you’re a nature lover, at some point in your childhood you probably dreamed about living in a decked-out treehouse. Whether it began when you watched the Swiss Family Robinson build an elaborate home on an uninhabited island; read the adventures of Jack and Annie in The Magic Tree House; or … Read more
The Appalachian Mountains run north to south in the eastern third of the United States, passing through every coastal state north of Florida and all the way up into Appalachian Canada. They also move slightly westward into other states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Within this massive area— ranging from 100 to 300 miles … Read more
[Updated 9/20/2024] Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the town of Burnsville NC, Mount Mitchell looms large above the surrounding area. Rising to an impressive 6,684 feet above sea level, Mt Mitchell is both the highest point in North Carolina and the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. The desire to … Read more
In our eyes, one of the highlights of hiking in the North Georgia Mountains is finding yourself at the base of an eye-popping waterfall. Thankfully, there are an abundance of breathtaking Georgia waterfalls to explore, from the 729-foot Amicalola Falls (the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi) to the stunningly beautiful Minnehaha Falls. You might think that … Read more
When most people think of U.S. National Parks, they tend to think of epic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. But in reality the National Park Service manages more than 423 individual units covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various US … Read more
Located just south of Boone, Blowing Rock is a tourism-driven North Carolina mountain town known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” The town was named after The Blowing Rock attraction, a unique geological formation that offers spectacular views of the surrounding scenery. People come to see The Blowing Rock as well as other major … Read more
Pisgah National Forest offers more than half a million acres of wilderness to explore, stretching from near the southernmost reaches of Western North Carolina to the northern border. The National Forest is split into three ranger districts. The Pisgah District encompasses areas south of Asheville, the Grandfather District includes areas near Grandfather Mountain State Park … Read more
