Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service with the Smokies Centennial Challenge: Hike 100

On August 25, 2016 the National Park Service will celebrate its 100th birthday! You can celebrate the big event in the Great Smoky Mountains by taking part in the Smokies Centennial Challenge: Hike 100!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers their “Hike the Smokies Challenge” for both individuals and families. And this year the challenge takes on special significance as the National Park Service celebrates its centennial.

The challenge is to record the mileage from your hikes (even if you hike the same trail over and over) in the Official Hike 100 Mileage Log to receive a special, commemorative “Smokies Centennial Challenge: Hike 100” pin and be invited to a park celebration hosted by Superintendent Cassius Cash on December 8, 2016. Hikes taken between January 1 – December 6, 2016 qualify for the challenge.

Families who take on the regular “Hike the Smokies Challenge” are rewarded with special stickers and pins after they’ve hiked 10 miles, 25 miles, 40 miles and 50 miles. Family mileage booklets are also available at the visitor centers for $1.00. A family can include grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, so gather them up and have some great fun outdoors this year! Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Centers are located at Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove.

For more information on this fun program, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Check back often at HeySmokies.com for more information on upcoming special events for the National Parks Service Centennial Celebration in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2016!