A long-time volunteer and passionate hiker at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ann Houghton, was found dead on the North Carolina side of the park, almost a week after she was reported missing. The 73-year-old North Carolina resident’s body was discovered a quarter mile from the Enloe Creek Trail at approximately 1:53 p.m. on Sunday, according to a statement from the National Park Service. The cause of her death remains unknown, but authorities have ruled out any suspicion of foul play.
Houghton, who had been a dedicated volunteer at the park for over 20 years, was a cherished member of the Smokies community. Charles Sellars, the Acting Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, expressed his condolences and praised Houghton’s commitment to the park. He highlighted her dedication as a volunteer and her enthusiasm for hiking, which she shared with numerous park visitors.
Houghton had embarked on an overnight hike the previous Tuesday and failed to return. Her absence was noted when she did not report for her shift at the park’s volunteer center on Saturday, prompting her coworkers to report her missing. The search for Houghton intensified after her vehicle was found at the Smokemont Campground, leading to a concentrated search effort in the areas of Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge, and finally the Enloe Creek trails, where her body was eventually discovered.
The search for Houghton involved multiple local agencies, including Cherokee Fire and Rescue, BUSAR, the Macon Volunteer Fire Department, the Cowee Volunteer Fire Department, the Appalachian Mountain Rescue Team, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Over her years of service to the park, Houghton had accumulated more than 4,000 volunteer hours, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the park and its community.
Houghton’s dedication to her work was well-known, with the park service noting that she took “few if any breaks in service since 2004.” In 2022, her tireless efforts were recognized with a nomination for the prestigious George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. This award is given annually to honor the exceptional contributions made by National Park Service volunteers to their park and community.
Houghton’s nomination statement highlighted her extensive volunteer experience and her ability to share important information with park visitors of all ages, while encouraging them to explore and learn on their own. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes on the Friends of Great Smoky National Park Facebook page, with many celebrating her life and her enduring spirit.