Great Smoky Mountains National Park

History can be a messy, controversial thing. That's evident with the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia; Baltimore, where a number of Confederate statues were removed under dark of night; and even in New York City, where the mayor has called for a review of "symbols of hate." But what should be done in the National Park System, where monuments abound to Confederate generals, troops, and, of course, presidents who owned slaves?

Most likely, you’re well aware that Yellowstone National Park is a great destination to see elk and bison in fall, and that Glacier National Park will reward you with mountain goat and bighorn sheep sightings. But where else can you head in the National Park System, preferably someplace without so many crowds?

Clingmans Dome Observation Tower inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed Wednesday for the rest of the 2017 season to allow crews to finish rehabilitation work made possible from a Partners in Preservation) grant. The $250,000 grant was awarded last summer to the Friends of the Smokies on behalf of the park after being one of the top nine, most voted for parks in the Partners in Preservation: National Parks Campaign in 2016.

Seven months into his administration, President Trump has yet to nominate a director for the National Park Service. But Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke does have an advisor on his team with a wealth of Park Service experience, one whose background has been investigated, leading to speculation that that individual will be nominated soon.