The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Forest Service Closes Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields To Camping :
The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday that it is closing the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas to overnight camping due to ongoing bear encounters with humans.
The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.
On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the tent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks.
Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.
On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the tent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks.
Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Oh my! It must have been a scary episode having the bear on foot like that. I hope the campers weren’t too traumatized after the incident? It is such a shame for the shining to be closed forever because of the bear incidents. I am sure it is just some isolated cases (cross fingers).
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