Spring has arrived at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enticing nature lovers from near and far to pack up the RV and head to the mountains. The week of April 18-26 is National Park Week, and as the most visited national park in the country, this week is usually a busy one for the Great Smoky Mountains. Unfortunately, a new coronavirus disease is sweeping across the globe and causing closures and lockdowns nationwide. In an effort to protect both visitors and staff from this unprecedented virus, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (like many others around the country), has made the difficult decision to close down most of its facilities through at least the remainder of the month.
Although some areas of the park remain open, including Foothills Parkway and the Spur, most park services are not available at this time. Even though you may not be able to park the RV and enjoy all that this southeastern park has to offer, there are still a number of ways you can support the Great Smoky Mountains and other parks during National Park Week from the comfort of your couch.
Donate
Now more than ever, national parks are in need of support, and there’s no better time than National Park Week if you want to chip in. There are a few options when it comes to giving, and you can choose to support national parks as a whole, or give directly to the Great Smokies. The National Parks Foundation has helped protect over 400 natural and historic areas around the country for decades. By donating to this charity, you are assisting in making sure that national parks can continue to operate — during these uncertain times and in the future. No amount is too small, and your contribution will go towards park programs, paying rangers and other park staff, and maintaining the parks that we love and treasure so much. You can give a one time gift or set up a recurring monthly donation. If you’d like to donate to Great Smoky Mountains National Park specifically, you can do so through Friends of the Smokies. This charity works alongside the National Park Service to help protect and preserve the park. If you are a resident of either North Carolina or Tennessee, you can also head to the DMV and purchase a Friends of the Smokies license plate to help support the park.
Purchase some new gear from your favorite national park
If you’d like to get a little more bang for your buck, you can always invest in some new park merchandise. Whether it’s a fresh sticker to add to the collection on the bumper of your Sprinter or a national-park-themed Yahtzee set, you might just find something you didn’t even know you needed as you browse your favorite parks’ online gift shops. Even if you’re not looking for something for yourself, national park wares make for great gifts for all the outdoor lovers in your life. Check out the Great Smoky Mountains online gift store, or the National Park gift shop for a broader selection of merch.
Share your love for the Great Smokies
Most of us are getting our fair share of screen time these days, making it easier than ever to share your love for Great Smoky Mountains National Park via your favorite social media platform. Love for the park can be shown through old photos or shared in fond memories you’ve made there on previous RV vacations. Wherever you post, be sure to hashtag National Park Week (#NationalParkWeek).
Become a Junior Ranger
Summer is upon us, and with many schools already closed for the remainder of the year, your kiddos are likely getting at least a mild case of spring fever. Although it’s probably not possible to head out on the open road to your favorite park this spring, the National Parks Service is offering the next best thing through at-home Junior Ranger programs. Your young ones can keep busy with activity guides and learn about the various national parks in a fun and engaging way. By the time the parks open back up, they’ll be itching to put their new knowledge to use.
Plan your future visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There’s no better way to spend the idle hours of quarantine than by planning your dream getaway. Search through Outdoorsy’s coolest RV rentals, decide which campground suits you and your crew best, and stake out the best hikes and scenic drives that Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Once the park reopens, you’ll be prepared for a successful RV trip to the mountains.
Team Outdoorsy is here to help you along your journey. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming RV rental, give us a call at 1-877-723-7232, send us an email, or start a chat. And for a continuously updated list of frequently asked COVID-19 questions relating to RV travel, visit our FAQ page.
