A8_-_Equine-related_from_2024_GRSM_Superintendent_s_Compendium_2_0002.pdf

(e) Pets kept by residents of the park will be maintained consistent with the provisions of this section and in accordance with provisions established in the park's Housing Management Plan.

Section 2.16- Horses and Pack Animals

Coggins test

For informational purposes: Pursuant to both North Carolina and Tennessee state law, all equines brought to or kept at any park horse camp or ridden on any park trail shall be accompanied by either the original or a copy of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) (aka "Coggins test") administered within the previous 12 months. Proof of such test must be provided upon request.

Both North Carolina and Tennessee state law requires this test. They also impose liability for non-compliance.

Horses, mules, burros, and llamas are designated as pack animals.

(b) Designated Trails: The use of saddle and pack animals is permitted on official park trails except in the following areas:

• Nature Trails and Quiet Walkways

• Handicapped Access Trails

• Paved Trails

• Designated foot trails as listed in Appendix A

Private horse use is permitted on trails assigned for horse concession use, including those that are concessionaire- maintained, except that the following Smokemont riding stable trails are closed to private horse use during the concession operating season:

• The Smokemont Stables Trail

• The connector trail between the Towstring Horse Trail and the Smokemont Stables Trail.

Deep Creek Trail is closed to horse use from the Deep Creek Trailhead to the Indian Creek/Deep Creek Junction.

(c) Designated roads: The use of saddle and pack animals on park roads is prohibited except as follows:

• Paved portion of Cataloochee access road between the Ranger Station and the access road bridge.

• NC 284 north of the Wye-intersection.

• Old Cataloochee access road.

• Cataloochee Valley Road west of Palmer Creek bridge.

• Parson Branch Road.

• Schoolhouse Gap parking area to Bote Mountain Trailhead.

• Big Creek Access Road from North Carolina284 to Big Creek Horse Camp.

• Balsam Mountain/Straight Fork Road from the Palmer Creek Trailhead to the Enloe Creek Trailhead.

• The Cades Cove picnic area roadway when enroute to or from the Anthony Creek trailhead, provided that riders must dismount and lead their horses and must immediately remove to a trash container any horse excrement dropped enroute.

The use of saddle and pack animals is allowed on the following roads when they are closed to motor vehicle traffic for the season:

• Heintooga Ridge Road

• Forge Creek Road

• Balsam Mountain/Straight Fork Road

• Parson Branch Road

• Rich Mountain Road

• Upper Tremont Road

(g) Unless damaged or compromised, horses must be tied to hitchposts or hitchracks at backcountry locations where they are provided. In backcountry campsites or any backcountry areas with no hitchracks or hitchposts, or if these are full, horses must be cross tied so they cannot chew on or otherwise damage trees or other vegetation. If picket stakes for the crosstie system are not available, trees of no less than eight (8) inches in diameter should be utilized.

Cross-tying of horses and pack animals is not permitted within 100 feet of established backcountry campsites, fire rings, shelters, or sleeping areas in the backcountry, or within 100 feet from any stream or water source.

Horses are not permitted within one hundred feet of front country campsites, except at developed horse camps.

Party size: At designated backcountry sites where stock is permitted, the number of animals in any one party is limited to one per person plus one stock animal per person but shall not exceed a total of ten (10) animals.

Number of people and number of stock may not exceed designated capacities at reservation only backcountry campsites. These capacities may be more restrictive than eight (8) people and ten (10) animals.

Stock are hereby restricted from stopping, standing, or travelling across or adjacent to any water spring.

Stock are restricted from water springs to prevent contamination. Springs do not normally have the water volume necessary to cleanse themselves. It is recommended that pack animals be watered with the use of a container.

Manure scattering: In backcountry areas with hitch racks or stalls, any manure shall be scattered no less than 100 feet from any campsite area before departing the area. In developed horse camps, all manure shall be moved from the stall and hitch rack areas to a designated collection area.

At trailheads, any manure spilled from the trailering unit and any fresh excrement must be replaced in the trailering unit.

This is necessary to prevent the introduction of exotic plant seeds into the park.

Feed: In the backcountry, the use of loose hay or grain containing viable seeds is prohibited. Stock users are required to carry supplemental feed such as pellets, rolled grains, or dehydrated alfalfa cubes on all trips.

Unloading; trailer parking: Stock will not be unloaded nor shall trailer units be parked in the Deep Creek trailhead parking area. The designated parking and unloading area for stock must be used at the Noland Divide Trailhead.

Stock will not be unloaded nor shall trailer units be parked in the Smokemont Church parking areas. The designated parking and unloading area for stock at Tow String must be used.

Stock will not be unloaded nor shall trailer units be parked in the parking areas at the entrance to the Cades Cove loop road or adjacent to the campground store. A trailer parking and stock unloading area is provided at the entrance to the Cades Cove horse concession.

Section 2.21- Smoking

For the purposes of this section, Smoking includes the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings, structures, shelters, and within 25 feet of the entrance to all public buildings, structures, and shelters.

Per policy memorandum 15-03 and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Smoking Policy these activities are prohibited to protect park employees and visitors from the health hazards and annoyances of secondhand smoke which is a known human carcinogen.

Section 2.22- Property

(2) Motor vehicles may be left at trailheads while the vehicle operator is using the park backcountry.

Boats maybe left at water access trailheads while the boat operator is using the park backcountry.

Except for vehicles/vessels left while the operator is in the backcountry on an overnight hike, there should be no reason for objects to be unattended/or more than 24 hours.

Section 2.35- Alcoholic Beverages and Controlled Substances

See 36 CFR §7.14

Section 2.51- Demonstrations

(c)(2) The areas listed below are designated for demonstrations and the sale or distribution of printed matter.

These areas may be occupied by groups of 25 or fewer persons without a permit consistent with 36 CFR

2.51 and 2.52. (Appendix E)

• Abrams Creek - The field next to Ranger Station and adjacent to day use parking.

• Balsam Mountain - The grassy area in the center of the loop at Balsam Mountain picnic area parking area.

• Big Creek - The grassy area within the loop at the Big Creek picnic area, bordered by the approach road and the picnic area parking lot.

• Cades Cove -

• Cades Cove amphitheater - subject to scheduled activities.

• The grassy area between the campground office and the store and to the north of the parking area, bordered by the road, the sidewalk, and the store and within 30' of the sidewalks.

• The grassy area adjacent to the parking lot at the entrance to the Cades Cove loop road, and specifically that portion of the area south of and within 30' of the sidewalks and no less than 50' nor more than 100' to the east of the visitor contact station.