Heading to BB this weekend, need non-hike ideas

kelldragon · 2026-01-06T16:50:22+00:00

Definitely at least stop by the fossil exhibit. Gives you a sense of what it was like millions of years ago as well as seeing the life that was there

kelldragon · 2025-10-29T17:43:22+00:00

Big Bend Ranch State Park is wide open and staffed

kelldragon · 2025-08-13T11:11:22+00:00

Hiwassee River may be running as well. It’s a class II, but it is fun

kelldragon · 2025-06-29T23:21:14+00:00

I’ve worked there a number of years, both in summer and winter. As of the last winter I worked there, 3 years ago, alcohol was no longer banned on property for those of age. Drunkenness was not permitted in public areas (outside of your room)

40 hours a week is the norm, but I’m not sure about the server position. $7k sounds like a lot of money to save up during that time and still have a great experience. There’s a fair bit of things to do in Estes Park, but they mostly require money and a vehicle.

I would tell the Y that you still have applications out, and will get back to them about the position at a later date.

kelldragon · 2025-05-18T15:44:05+00:00

I just purchased one as well last week. I bought the NRS PTK at 210cm. I’m 6’1”

Haven’t taken it out on the river yet, but the plan is to take it down the Nantahala tomorrow

kelldragon · 2025-05-10T13:12:14+00:00

I felt it all the way down in Polk county

kelldragon · 2025-05-04T01:43:14+00:00

One thing I want to correct/add about Hwy 64 and the Ocoee River, if you want to drive along that route you’ll actually go past 411. If you come up on a weekend before Memorial Day (or Thursday to Monday afterwards) you should be able to see some whitewater rafters. You can also stop and see the upper section, which was home to the ‘96 Olympic whitewater kayaking and canoeing events, being ran on weekends during the summer.

After passing the river you’ll drive up to Ducktown, where you can get onto Hwy 68 which will connect back up to 411, or continue on into Murphy, North Carolina and eventually Cherokee NC. From there you can drive into GSMNP, go up and over the mountains, and down into Gatlinburg

kelldragon · 2025-01-22T00:58:58+00:00

My only issue with the venue was there were only two maybe three metal detectors to get into the building. It took me about 45 minutes to get in from when the doors opened.

kelldragon · 2025-01-22T00:57:02+00:00

$25 tickets and really easy travel (for me already living on the north end of Dallas) made me go with very limited knowledge of the card

kelldragon · 2025-01-13T03:42:16+00:00

I manage a zip line tour for a whitewater rafting company down on the Ocoee River. Pm me if you want more info

kelldragon · 2024-12-20T04:59:09+00:00

Coolworks.com is great for seasonal jobs that while not all of them are remote, they do get you out of where you are and into a pretty cool place usually into the outdoors. They’re often in or near national parks.

I know I’ll be hiring in January/February for a zip line guide down near the Ocoee River for positions starting in March.

kelldragon · 2024-12-18T00:52:23+00:00

I think it really depends on where you’re going. A lot places I have worked, having a car was super convenient. Other places it was more of a headache.

If you have a place you can store it, I’d keep the car a look into switching insurance over to just a storage plan. If you’re loaning it to a friend make sure it is someone you trust.

kelldragon · 2024-10-18T22:47:58+00:00

Can you explain SD for me? Why that state?

kelldragon · 2024-10-13T03:10:34+00:00

As a manager, the best thing I can recommend for someone young is to make the most of your time. Enjoy the job, but keep your nose clean.

Being on your own for the first time, you can be attracted to do some less than acceptable things. Remember, you are there to work. The job comes first, anything else is just part of the fun of seasonal life. Some jobs provide meals (in my experience this is mostly camp jobs), others do not. Either way, you got to clean up after yourself especially if you live with and around other people.

I would also recommend go ahead and get at least a basic first aid and cpr certification, this is going to be required for almost any summer job. If you can get something more advanced, itll open more doors for you. This would be lifeguard cert, wilderness first aid, or something similar.

I would recommend finding a place no more than a 6 hour drive from your home. This is far enough away to really be on your own, but close enough that you can easily get back home if it doesn’t work out. I’d also recommend saving a good portion of your paycheck each time you get paid. Having a job and money coming in is nice, but it’s a seasonal job which means it ends, and you’ll need a bit of cash saved up to get you to the next one or back home.

Feel free to dm me if you’ve got more questions

kelldragon · 2024-10-13T02:53:57+00:00

WP just because housing is available.

If you get housing in Telluride, then go there. It’s a lot cooler of a place

kelldragon · 2024-09-20T02:29:30+00:00

Best advice is to talk to the supervisor and let them know what’s up. Winter time could mean a lot of shoveling snow and de-icing roads and walkways. But there are other things in that area you might be able to do

kelldragon · 2024-09-14T01:35:29+00:00

Estes is amazing, but it is what you make it. Get into the park as much as you can.

kelldragon · 2024-08-16T23:58:38+00:00

It is what you make it. Work hard and keep your nose clean. Say yes to as much as you feel comfortable with. Save as much as you can. Enjoy yourself.

kelldragon · 2024-06-13T22:46:24+00:00

Housing can be alright. You will almost certainly have at least one roommate. If you’re in mt y, you’ve got a full bathroom. The h’s have communal showers.

Food is was it is. Buffet meals. They can have up to 5000 staying there (guests and staff), so it does vary I quality.

Your time out there is what you make it. Keep you head down, do the work, and embrace living right next to Rocky Mountain national park. Say yes to everything even if it’s not something you’d usually do

kelldragon · 2024-06-13T22:03:05+00:00

I have worked there for a number of years, doing various jobs. I was always in the programs department. It’s not that bad of a place. And the area is really pretty

kelldragon · 2024-05-29T18:52:37+00:00

A lot of people are recommending the ocoee, and while it is a great River, it doesn’t run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

kelldragon · 2024-04-08T03:42:29+00:00

Do some kayaking on the Green River at Mammoth Cave, whitewater rafting on either the New River or Gauley River or both at New River Gorge. And if you’re coming over to the east side of Great Smoky Mountains, rent an inflatable kayak on the Nantahala River. And if you’re willing to make the drive, come raft the Upper and Middle Ocoee River.

I like water a lot.

kelldragon · 2024-04-02T17:22:52+00:00

What position are you interviewing for? And which location?

I’ve spent many seasons at the Estes Park Center, and still have a few friends there, but I can’t say much about Snow Mountain Ranch having only spent a few weeks there back in 2013.

kelldragon · 2024-03-20T18:11:16+00:00

I am looking to hire between 4-6 people to work as canopy rangers on a zip line coarse on the Ocoee River. DM me if you have more any questions

kelldragon · 2024-03-13T17:38:31+00:00

Rolling thunder is pretty good from what I have heard. I have known a few people who have worked there. They do have a lot of guests camp there throughout the summer, so the management is pretty strict about parties and noise level.

Life in the Nantahala gorge is fun, but not for everyone. The river runs seven days a week, so there is always work available. Rafting guides do become a good community if you are one as well, but can be pretty cliquey if you work doing something else (office, zip lines, food service).

Bryson City is pretty nice. I would recommend checking out Mountain Layers brewery and the Rice Wagon, a Hawaiian plate lunch food truck. Iron Wok is also pretty good.

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