Top 3 Benefits of the Leave No Trace Policy at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
It is no mystery why so many folks love to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! After all, the park is filled with unspoiled natural beauty, miles of scenic hiking trails, wildlife spotting opportunities and more! One of the reasons why the national park is so beautiful is because of the “Leave No Trace” policy, where visitors are expected to leave the park exactly as they found it. Here are the top 3 benefits of the Leave No Trace Policy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Protects the Resources of the Park
The Leave No Trace policy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is designed to protect the resources of the park so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. This means that your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can all experience the same beautiful park that exists today! When visiting the park, be sure to take out whatever you brought into the park. For example, if you are enjoying a picnic, remember not to leave any food, trash or equipment behind.
2. Peaceful Surroundings
Another huge benefit of the Leave No Trace policy is that it creates peaceful surroundings for all visitors to enjoy. The peace and solitude of the Smokies is what draws many folks to the Smoky Mountains in the first place! This is why part of the policy states that you should keep your group small to maintain a quiet atmosphere that is appropriate for the backcountry. Large groups tend to create a higher level of noise and social interaction that is not compatible with backcountry values.
3. Maintains a Natural Wildlife Environment
The Leave No Trace policy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park also helps to maintain a natural wildlife environment. If you leave food or trash behind, this can attract bears and other wildlife, which effectively disrupts their natural habitat. Choose not to cook over a fire, as it can be difficult to avoid getting the food scraps in the fire ring. Even these tiny scraps can attract bears to the area! While it can be exciting to see wildlife when visiting the national park, never do anything to intentionally attract animals.
Where to Stay
Make the most of your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a stay at the Pigeon River Campground! Our lovely campground is situated on the northeast side of the park, and we are only minutes away from all of the beautiful hiking trails in the park! We appreciate that our guests respect the Leave No Trace policy and we honor those same values in our campground. While staying with us, enjoy a variety of wonderful campground amenities including recreational opportunities such as volleyball, horseshoes and cornhole. We also feature a refreshing outdoor swimming pool during the summer months. Plus, a convenient General Store for all of your camping supplies!
Check out all of the information about our campground near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park today to plan your camping adventure in the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon at the Pigeon River Campground!
