0:00
/
Transcript

The Appalachia Daily for June 6, 2026, Saturday

Trail Spotlight Saturday — National Trails Day brings fee-free access, volunteer cleanups, and great local hiking options across our mountains.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Celebrates National Trails Day with Fee-Free Entry

Today is National Trails Day and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is waiving day-use fees at all standard recreation sites. It’s a great opportunity for hikers and families to get out on the trails and enjoy the North Georgia mountains without the usual fees.

Sources:
2026-06-06 | https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee
USDA Forest Service National Trails Day announcement

Benton MacKaye Trail Association Hosts Clean Trails Day on June 6

The Benton MacKaye Trail Association and U.S. Forest Service are holding Clean Trails Day at three locations in the Chattahoochee National Forest today. Volunteers can help with trail maintenance and cleanup while spending time outdoors on the Benton MacKaye Trail system.

Sources:
2026-06-06 | https://bmta.org/2026-clean-trails-day/
https://bmta.org/events/2026-clean-trails-day/

Hickory Ridge and Rough Ridge Trails Temporarily Closed for Safety

The U.S. Forest Service has closed Hickory Ridge Trail and Rough Ridge Trail in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest due to unsafe conditions. The closure is in effect until July 30, 2026. Hikers should check current alerts and avoid these trails.

Sources:
2026-06 | https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/about-area/forest-supervisors-orders

Piney Knob Trail System Offers Local Hiking and Biking Right Near Murphy

The Piney Knob Trail System on the Murphy Watershed property has more than 13 miles of well-marked hiking and mountain biking trails just minutes from downtown Murphy. The trails feature nice views and creek access and are open for public use.

Sources:
2026-06 | https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/piney-knob-trail

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Rail & Trail Combines Train Ride with Hiking

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is offering its Rail & Trail excursion today from Bryson City. Riders enjoy a scenic train ride followed by a guided hike — a relaxed way to experience the mountains.

Sources:
2026-06-06 | https://gsmr.com/train-schedule/

Where to listen
Produced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia or https://x.com/RRDigital_media
River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital
Take care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you.

Notes, methods, and rights
All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond.

Discussion about this video

User's avatar

Ready for more?