Your safety is important to us, and to those who come after you.
Have you ever heard the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, that means to pay attention to your surroundings, where you are walking and what you are doing so that you can prevent injury to yourself and others and prevent the need for medical care. If you were to have an accident on the trail, it would no doubt ruin your day. However, it would also affect many other people. Rescue operations are very expensive and frequently endanger rescuers, inconvenience other park visitors and can completely change your group's plans.
- Weather conditions can change quickly, especially during the Spring. Keep an eye on the sky.
- Summer is hot and humid, so drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks out of the sun.
- Watch your step. Many of the surfaces on the trails, especially in the rain.
- Wear comfortable and sturdy footwear and weather appropriate clothing.
- As part of the National Park Service, everything here is protected. Don't remove or disturb any part of this historic structures or any living thing.
- Many kinds of wildlife call the trail home. Be sure to give any wildlife you encounter plenty of space. Turn around, if necessary. Don't kill any wildlife.
- Use insect repellent in the warmer months. Mosquitoes and biting flies and gnats are prevalent. Beware of fire ant mounds.
- Beware of poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes and copperheads, which are found within the trail's boundaries.
- Watch out for ticks, stinging insects and poison ivy.
- Beware of lightning strikes on ridge tops.
