Naked Creek - a body on the Appalachian Trail

The Trek and local outlets, citing Shenandoah National Park, report that on the night of 22 September 2026 search-and-rescue crews found human remains near a tent in the Naked Creek backcountry (central park, Page County, Virginia). That same evening the park took a missing-hiker report and opened a search with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Whether the two events are linked has not been confirmed publicly; no one has been named.

Park spokesperson Allysah Fox said the cause of death has not been determined. Investigators noted wildlife signs at the scene but have not tied them to the case.

Since 7 October the Naked Creek backcountry zone and Naked Creek Overlook are closed until further notice — the park cites recent wildlife interactions and caution. Separately, backcountry camping remains banned along the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows (including Bearfence AT Hut); the trail itself stays open for day hiking.