This Land, Your Land

The National Forest Service has announced a shortened season at Roan Mountain Recreation Area this summer to allow for renovation work.

The recreation area, which is near Bakersville in the Pisgah National Forest, will be open only from June 6 through July 7, a news release says. It is normally open from May through September.

Renovations are to include replacing the dilapidated 1960s restroom near the Cloudland parking lot with an eight-unit accessible restroom, resurfacing the trails to the observation deck in the Rhododendron Garden and replacing the observation deck, and resurfacing the main paved road leading to the Cloudland parking lot.

Renovations are to be paid for with $700,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Stimulus Bill).

The Appalachian Trail, which runs through the area, will not be affected by the closure. However, the access trail from the AT to the Cloudland parking lot will be closed.

The National Park Service has announced a 25 percent discount on Cape Lookout National Seashore's rental cabins this summer.

The discount will be offered from June 1 through August 30 on rates for the Great Island Cabin Camp (on South Core Banks across from Davis) and Long Point Cabin Camp (on North Core Banks across from Atlantic), a news release says.

Grand Island rates run from $54 to $168 per night, depending on the cabin. Long Point rates run from $84 to $145.

The discount applies automatically reservations already made for the time period.

Each cabin has bunk beds, a bathroom with shower, hot and cold running water, and a gas stove. Visitors must furnish their own cooking and eating utensils, linens, and ice chests. (There are no refrigerators.) Some cabins have electricity; at others visitors may bring their own generator or other light source.

Pets are not permitted in the cabins.

Phone numbers for reservations are at either link above. The NPS page has ferry information.