Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior SMOKIES GUIDE Drive safely in wintry conditions The Official Newspaper of the Smokies • Winter 2022-23 Temperatures drop swiftly at higher elevations, and precipitation is much more frequent and heavy. Steep grades and curves can become especially dangerous in winter. Be prepared: • Reduce your speed • Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you • Avoid sudden braking— instead, use lower gears or brake gently to slow down • Check current conditions at twitter.com/ SmokiesRoadsNPS before departing The Mount Cammerer fire tower located in the Cosby area of the park is one of many iconic Smokies structures constructed in the 1930s by Civilian Conservation Corps workers. Image by Roger Trentham. Park It Forward in 2023 Parking tags help pave the way for improved visitor services and park preservation B eginning March 1, a valid parking tag will be required for all visitors parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parking tags will not be required for motorists who simply pass through the area or park for less than 15 minutes. Daily ($5), weekly ($15), and annual ($40) parking tags will be available for purchase at automated fee machines and visitor centers as well as online at recreation.gov or smokiesinformation. org. Each tag is valid for use in a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed. Tags must be displayed physically in vehicles; digital representations will not be accepted. Parking tags do not guarantee a parking spot in a specific location or at a specific time. Revenue generated by parking tags will help to improve visitor services in OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA the park and preserve the Smokies for generations to come. Park visitation has increased by 57 percent over the last decade to a record 14.1 million visits in 2021. These critically needed funds will supplement federal funding, grant monies, and donation dollars, providing an opportunity to address the rising costs associated with maintaining what is consistently the most visited national park in the country. All revenue generated through the sales of parking tags will stay in the Smokies to directly improve visitor experiences and help fund things like trail maintenance, custodial services, trash removal, historic cabin preservation, and staffing for increased ranger presence across the park. For more information about parking tags, scan the code at the right with your camera app or visit go.nps.gov/GRSMfees. GreatSmoky MountainsNPS PARKING TAGS AHEAD! Beginning in March 2023, parking in the Smokies will require a valid parking tag (annual tag pictured). For more info, scan code with camera app. GreatSmokyNPS and SmokiesRoadsNPS GreatSmokyNPS S M O K I E S Visitor centers Oconaluftee, Sugarlands, and Cades Cove: 9 a.m–4:30 p.m. Dec.– Feb., 9 a.m–5 p.m. in March. Clingmans Dome: closed for the season. Mingus Mill: closed for the season. Cable Mill: closed for the season. Note: All visitor centers are closed on Dec. 25. Road closures • Seasonal closures include: Forge Creek Road, Parson Branch Road, Heintooga Ridge Road, Heintooga/Round Bottom and Straight Fork roads, Rich Mountain Road, Clingmans Dome Road, Little Greenbrier Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. • All roads including Newfound Gap, Cataloochee, and Cades Cove Loop roads are subject to temporary closure due to dangerous driving conditions. Check twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS for updates. Park weather As winter arrives, days can be sunny and 65°F or snowy with highs in the 20s. Conditions vary considerably between low and high elevations. Nearly 70 inches of snow fall on Newfound Gap every year. Lows of -20°F are possible at the higher elevations. At lower elevations, snows of an inch or more can be expected about three to five times a year. Milder temperatures typically arrive by mid-to-late April. Special events and ranger programs Check at visitor centers or nps.gov/ grsm for information about special events and ranger programs. SMOKIES GUIDE P L A N N E R Firewood Camping in the national park The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at ten locations in the park. Only Cades Cove and Smokemont are open in winter. There are no showers or hookups other than circuits for special medical uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Campsite reservations are required at all park campgrounds, including Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Smokemont, and Look Rock. Sites may be reserved up to six months in advance. Make your reservation at ­recreation.gov or call 877.444.6777. Site occupancy is limited to six people and two vehicles (a trailer = one vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days. Campsites for large groups are at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Reservations are required and may be secured up to a year in advance. For more information, visit nps.gov/grsm. Expected Open Dates 2023 Nightly Fees Max RV Length 1,125' 4/28 – 10/29 * 12' 42 5,310' 5/12 – 6/4 6/17 – 10/9 * 30' Big Creek 12 1,700' 4/7 – 10/29 * tents only Cades Cove 159 1,807' open year-round $25 35'–40' Cataloochee 27 2,610' 4/7 – 10/29 * 31' No. of Sites Elevation Abrams Creek 16 Balsam Mountain Site Cosby 157 2,459' 4/7 – 10/29 * 25' Deep Creek 92 1,800' 4/7 – 10/29 * 26' Elkmont 220 2,150' 3/10 – 11/26 * 32'–35' Smokemont 142 2,198' open year-round $21– $25 35'–40' Look Rock 68 2,600' 4/28-10/29 * no limit To prevent the spread of destructive pests, only USDA- or state-certified heat-treated firewood may be brought into the park. Campers may gather dead and down wood in the park for campfires. Picnic areas Picnic areas at Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms are open year-round. Big Creek, Chimneys, Collins Creek, Cosby, Heintooga, and Look Rock are closed for the season. Picnic pavilions may be reserved for a fee at recreation.gov. Some restroom facilities at picnic areas may be closed for the season. Accommodations LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail only, reopens March 20) provides the only lodging in the park. Advanced reservations required. 865.429.5704 or lecontelodge.com Services There are no gas stations, showers, or restaurants in the national park. For rent The Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin at Elkmont can be reserved for daytime events at recreation.gov starting April 1, 2023. Pets in the park Pets are allowed in frontcountry campgrounds and along roads as long as they are restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on park trails, except for Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails. Pets must be kept in control on a leash no longer than six feet. *Camping fees will increase effective March 2023. See QR code on page one for details. Publication dates Smokies Guide is produced four times per year by Great Smoky Mountains Association Spring: mid-March and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Summer: early June Autumn: mid-Sept. Winter: mid-Dec. nps.gov/grsm SmokiesInformation.org T R I P Senior Editor Frances Figart Managing Editor Aaron Searcy Supporting Editor Valerie Polk Lead Designer Emma Oxford Design assistants Karen Key Miranda Bemis Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 2 NPS Coordinators Stephanie Kyriazis Stephanie Sutton © 2022 GSMA P.O. Box 130 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Available in digital format at issuu.com/ greatsmokymountains association E Printed on recycled paper Download the free NPS App for interactive maps, tours, and more. Bicycling Most park roads are too narrow and heavily traveled for safe or enjoyable bicycling. Bicycles are permitted on park roads but prohibited on trails except Gatlinburg, Oconaluftee River, and lower Deep Creek and Indian Creek trails. Helmets are required by law for persons age �� and under and strongly recommended for all. Horseback riding Some 550 miles of park trails are open to horses. See park trail map for trails and rules. Horse camps are available at Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Tow String. Make reservations at recreation.gov. Three concession horseback riding stables offer rides from March through November. Call for exact opening dates. •C  ades Cove 865.448.9009 cadescovestables.com •S  mokemont 828.497.2373 smokemontridingstable.com • Sugarlands 865.436.3535 sugarlandsridingstables.com Fishing Fishing is permitted yearround in the park, but a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required. Either state license is valid throughout the park, and no trout stamp is required. Fishing with bait is prohibited. Special permits are required for the Qualla Boundary and ­Gatlinburg, and licenses are available in nearby towns. A free fishing map with a complete list of all park fishing regulations is available at visitor centers. Backcountry camping Camping can be an exciting adventure for those who are properly equipped and informed. To facilitate this activity, the NPS maintains more than 800 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites and shelters throughout the park. One of the greatest chal- lenges is deciding where to go. Here are some tools to help. 1. Get the map. Go online to view the park’s official trail map (nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/maps. htm), which shows all park trails, campsites, and shelters. Park rules and regulations are also listed here. You can purchase the printed version of the trail map for $1 at any park visitor center or online at SmokiesInformation.org. 2. Plan your trip. Call or stop by the park’s Backcountry Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for trip planning help. The office is located in Sugarlands Visitor Center, two miles south of G ­ atlinburg on US 441. 865.436.1297. 3. Get a permit. Make your reservation and get your permit through the Backcountry Office at ­Sugarlands Visitor Center (by phone or in person) or online at smokiespermits.nps.gov. Reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. The cost is $4 per person per night. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. Note: Nightly backcountry permit fees will be increasing to $8 effective March 2023. Scan the QR code on page one for more details. Winter hikers should be especially aware of abrupt weather changes and the danger of hypothermia—the dangerous lowering of body temperature. Always carry GSMNP BY THE NUMBERS an ample supply of food, water, and reliable rain gear. Layer clothing that provides warmth when wet (not cotton). Be prepared for sudden weather changes, especially at the higher elevations, including rain, snow, cold, and wind. Stay dry and know your limits. See page 4 for more trip essentials. COVID-19 The National Park Service is working with federal, state, and local health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Check nps.gov/grsm for the latest updates on open facilities, access, and updates on mask-wearing requirements. All openings are based on available staffing. Temporary closures may occur on short notice. Play it #SmokiesSafe in the park: • Delay your trip if you are sick • Bring a mask and check for current mask requirements • Avoid crowded areas • Maintain social distancing six feet away from others bark ranger great smoky mountains national park Learn the BARK principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit any time you go to a national park. Take the BARK pledge: B ag and bin your pet’s waste A lways leash your pet R espect wildlife K now where you can go 14 million+ 1,000 +species visitors per year new to science found in the park of species species mtns. higher 31 species salamanders 69 of mammals 9,900+of insects 16 than 6,000' Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 3 The only two pet-friendly trails in the Smokies are Gatlinburg Trail in TN and Oconaluftee River Trail in NC. Check out the BARK ranger products at SmokiesInformation.org Anything can happen out on the trail, but you’ll be prepared if you keep it SMOKIES SMART! Tell someone where you’re going, stay on established trails, pack the essentials, and know what to do in case of an emergency. Let the NPS Backcountry Office help you plan your hike and prepare for what you may experience along the way. Call 865.436.1297, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PACK ESSENTIALS IN AN EMERGENCY • Navigation—map, compass, and knowledge of how to use them • Call 911 if you can acquire a signal. • Water and food • Extra layers • Remain with any injured parties until help arrives. Use what basic first-aid techniques you know, but do not attempt invasive intervention unless you are medically trained. • Rain gear and pack cover or waterproof bags • Headlamp or flashlight • Traction support like microspikes or hiking poles •U  se an emergency whistle to issue a series of three spaced blasts every few minutes to alert rescue crews. If you are in an open area, display brightly colored clothing or gear. • Emergency whistle • First aid kit •S  un protection with sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat FOR A LONGER HIKE • Repair kit with multi-tool or knife YOUR CELL PHONE IS NOT • a light • a map • a survival kit • always going to have service • Fire starter • Shelter—emergency tent or tarp Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 4 THINGS TO DO IN THE WINTERTIME Hit the trail T here are more than 800 miles of maintained trails in the Smokies ranging from leisurely quiet walkways to challenging mountain ascents. Just be sure to come prepared with rain gear, layers, and plenty of water and snacks. Download a free copy of the park’s trail map at nps.gov or purchase one for $1 at a visitor center or kiosk. Visitor center bookstores offer hiking references including Day Hikes of the Smokies and Hiking Trails of the Smokies. See page 4 for pack essentials. Find the Smokies Most Wanted Explore Smokies history G reat Smoky Mountains National Park has been recognized as a World Heritage Site and holds one of the best collections of log structures in the eastern US. Particularly in Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Elkmont, and Oconaluftee and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the bareness of winter reveals hidden structures, cemeteries, and other reminders of past Smokies residents. In Cherokee, North Carolina, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian offers immersive experiences and exhibits exploring 13,000 years of Cherokee history. See mci.org for hours and details. Photo by Judy Baxter Help scientists gather important information about plants, animals, fungi, and more by using the free iNaturalist app in the park. 1 Get the iNaturalist app Download the app. Log in. Try it out. 2 Record life you find in the Smokies Find a cool organism. Take photos or sound recordings. Post it to iNaturalist. Repeat. Spot winter wildlife T here’s still plenty of wildlife to see in the Smokies even after the black bears have ambled off to their winter rest. Elk and white-tailed deer remain active, and birds (like this eastern bluebird) are much easier to see when deciduous trees lose their leaves. Take photos of what you see and use the iNaturalist app to share your observations. Do not feed or approach wildlife. If you see wildlife from your vehicle, continue to the nearest pull-out before attempting to view. Sudden stops can be dangerous and cause traffic delays for others. Photo by Warren Lynn Up for a challenge? Look for the target species (like this cup lichen) in the Smokies Most Wanted guide. Find the guide and more at dlia.org/ smokiesmostwanted. Photo by Alan Rockefeller Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 5 To Knoxville To I-40 I OL NA N AT at i Co ve ek Cre Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail La Lake ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 Balsam Mountain ad Blu g e R id e Parkw ay Maggie Valley Deep Creek Cherokee Museum Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Dellwood Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) Picnic Areas WAYNESVILLE Major Hwys 441 Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. 74 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST To Asheville 19 Oconaluftee River Trail SYLVA 28 276 Heintooga Ridge Rd closed for winter Mingo Falls 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek 441 23 Major Roads Paved Roads B Select Trails Closed Roads Gravel Roads rk w ©GSMA2022 Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Trail Santeetlah Lake 129 ) 19 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA /Rou e Pa ch er nt ga Camping r BRYSON CITY Ap p CHEROKEE in wi oo i nt id g lue R NO Bi g Trail Fontana Ro 441 Twentymile FONTANA VILLAGE Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Mountain Farm Museum Loop Trail He ed PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee Smokemont Loop Trail Mingus Deep Tr a Clingmans Dome Rd closed for winter K AR os Smokemont Hazel Creek Trail Twentymile Cascade I P L ONA Straight Fork Rd closed for winter Chasteen Creek Falls Tr Kan l ty m Tr a il M O U N TA I N S Bone Valley Trail il Mount Guyot i Charlies Bunion Kephart Prong Trail Andrews Bald Big Creek Trail ia These temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. An average of over 84 inches (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Smokies. SMOKY an Newfound Gap Trail il Appalachia n E Chimney Tops Chimney Tops ra i Tw e n Lake Cheoah Alum Cave Bluffs Middle Prong Trail Ramsey Cascades Mouse Creek Falls (cl n t e r) wi in d SE R ES Wolf Ridge Trail Deals Gap Alum Cave Trail eT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST re sC ke Fern Branch Falls Clingmans Dome Twentymile Loop Trail Calderwood Lake p Trail ek T ch t hi Fo o 129 CA 6.7" 5.6" 7.0" 6.7" 8.0" 8.7" 9.0" 7.6" 7.2" 4.7" 6.8" 6.4" NN 18° 19° 25° 31° 39° 47° 50° 49° 44° 35° 27° 20° Forge Creek Rd closes Dec. 31 TE 36° 37° 44° 52° 58° 64° 67° 67° 62° 55° 46° 38° ek Trail Cre Thunderhead Mountain H 4.0" 4.1" 5.5" 4.5" 5.7" 5.8" 6.3" 5.3" 4.7" 2.9" 3.4" 4.6" b er Ga Cades Cove Parson Branch Rd closed for winter RT 27° 28° 35° 42° 50° 58° 62° 61° 55° 43° 34° 28° Ja cu m Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Lit tle 40 es M ounta i n Bottom Rd nd . PRECIP. Cu re il ra LOW Daisy Town Po r t e r s C AVG. HIGH in Ra PRECIP. illi u bo Tram Gap il Tra w F a ll il s r Rive il Tra LOW Road Trail A Porters Flat Grotto Tr Falls r ve d Chilhowee Mt. Le Conte elev. 6,593' Sugarlands Visitor Center N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Trail Lo w Tra Gap il s Trail ade asc Ramsey C TENNESSEE Exit 451 Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Red light #8 Little GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades G R E AT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Area closed due to washed out roads Ri tR m sF a Fighting Creek Trail Laurel Falls Laurel Falls Elkmont on Schoolhouse Gap Trail il Tra lls AVG. HIGH Jan. 49° Feb. 53° March 62° April 71° May 77° June 82° July 85° Aug. 84° Sept. 79° Oct. 70° Nov. 60° Dec. 51° Meigs Falls e Cades Cove Visitor Center Gatlinburg, TN elev. 1,462' Little Greenbrier School 73 l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Tre m Ab ra Abrams Falls Abrams Creek Little Brier Gap Trail Little Greenbrier Road Heritage Center s (clo 73 321 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail closed for winter GATLINBURG Wears Valley 321 Townsend Look Rock Tower Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center y rk wa Townsend Visitor Center Hartford Exit 447 Greenbrier Metcalf Bottoms Rich Mountain Rd closed for winter 321 Pittman Center ala ay rk w Pa ills ll s Pa h F o ot Exit 443 Cosby Ap p Walland Townsend, TN to: Cades Cove: 9 miles (¼ hour) Newfound Gap: 34 miles (1¼ hours) Gatlinburg: 22 miles (¾ hour) Cherokee: 52 miles (1½ hours) Look Rock: 18 miles (½ hour) Cataloochee: 87 miles (3 hours) PIGEON FORGE rk 129 411 th To Newport ay 441 Fo 321 o Fo ill w ar k s P 416 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Check twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS for updates. 321 To Chattanooga Cosby ek Tra il 411 MARYVILLE 32 Forge Creek Road closes December 31, opens March 3 Clingmans Dome Road and Straight Fork Road closed, open April 1 Little Greenbrier Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Rich Mtn. Road closed, open April 7 Parson Branch Road closed, opens April 14 Heintooga Ridge and Heintooga/Round Bottom Road closed, open May 12 129 Gatlinburg, TN to: Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 27 miles (1 hour) Newfound Gap: 16 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 23 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 65 miles (2½ hours) Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles (¼ hour) Deep Creek: 48 miles (1½ hours) 321 SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES All driving times may vary due to traffic conditions. Cherokee, NC to: Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 58 miles (2 hours) Newfound Gap: 18 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 25 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 39 miles (1½ hours) Deep Creek: 14 miles (½ hour) SEVIERVILLE Big Driving distances and estimated times ay To Knoxville To I-40 I OL NA N AT at i Co ve ek Cre Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail La Lake ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 Balsam Mountain ad Blu g e R id e Parkw ay Maggie Valley Deep Creek Cherokee Museum Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Dellwood Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) Picnic Areas WAYNESVILLE Major Hwys 441 Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. 74 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST To Asheville 19 Oconaluftee River Trail SYLVA 28 276 Heintooga Ridge Rd closed for winter Mingo Falls 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek 441 23 Major Roads Paved Roads B Select Trails Closed Roads Gravel Roads rk w ©GSMA2022 Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Trail Santeetlah Lake 129 ) 19 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA /Rou e Pa ch er nt ga Camping r BRYSON CITY Ap p CHEROKEE in wi oo i nt id g lue R NO Bi g Trail Fontana Ro 441 Twentymile FONTANA VILLAGE Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Mountain Farm Museum Loop Trail He ed PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee Smokemont Loop Trail Mingus Deep Tr a Clingmans Dome Rd closed for winter K AR os Smokemont Hazel Creek Trail Twentymile Cascade I P L ONA Straight Fork Rd closed for winter Chasteen Creek Falls Tr Kan l ty m Tr a il M O U N TA I N S Bone Valley Trail il Mount Guyot i Charlies Bunion Kephart Prong Trail Andrews Bald Big Creek Trail ia These temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. An average of over 84 inches (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Smokies. SMOKY an Newfound Gap Trail il Appalachia n E Chimney Tops Chimney Tops ra i Tw e n Lake Cheoah Alum Cave Bluffs Middle Prong Trail Ramsey Cascades Mouse Creek Falls (cl n t e r) wi in d SE R ES Wolf Ridge Trail Deals Gap Alum Cave Trail eT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST re sC ke Fern Branch Falls Clingmans Dome Twentymile Loop Trail Calderwood Lake p Trail ek T ch t hi Fo o 129 CA 6.7" 5.6" 7.0" 6.7" 8.0" 8.7" 9.0" 7.6" 7.2" 4.7" 6.8" 6.4" NN 18° 19° 25° 31° 39° 47° 50° 49° 44° 35° 27° 20° Forge Creek Rd closes Dec. 31 TE 36° 37° 44° 52° 58° 64° 67° 67° 62° 55° 46° 38° ek Trail Cre Thunderhead Mountain H 4.0" 4.1" 5.5" 4.5" 5.7" 5.8" 6.3" 5.3" 4.7" 2.9" 3.4" 4.6" b er Ga Cades Cove Parson Branch Rd closed for winter RT 27° 28° 35° 42° 50° 58° 62° 61° 55° 43° 34° 28° Ja cu m Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Lit tle 40 es M ounta i n Bottom Rd nd . PRECIP. Cu re il ra LOW Daisy Town Po r t e r s C AVG. HIGH in Ra PRECIP. illi u bo Tram Gap il Tra w F a ll il s r Rive il Tra LOW Road Trail A Porters Flat Grotto Tr Falls r ve d Chilhowee Mt. Le Conte elev. 6,593' Sugarlands Visitor Center N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Trail Lo w Tra Gap il s Trail ade asc Ramsey C TENNESSEE Exit 451 Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Red light #8 Little GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades G R E AT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Area closed due to washed out roads Ri tR m sF a Fighting Creek Trail Laurel Falls Laurel Falls Elkmont on Schoolhouse Gap Trail il Tra lls AVG. HIGH Jan. 49° Feb. 53° March 62° April 71° May 77° June 82° July 85° Aug. 84° Sept. 79° Oct. 70° Nov. 60° Dec. 51° Meigs Falls e Cades Cove Visitor Center Gatlinburg, TN elev. 1,462' Little Greenbrier School 73 l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Tre m Ab ra Abrams Falls Abrams Creek Little Brier Gap Trail Little Greenbrier Road Heritage Center s (clo 73 321 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail closed for winter GATLINBURG Wears Valley 321 Townsend Look Rock Tower Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center y rk wa Townsend Visitor Center Hartford Exit 447 Greenbrier Metcalf Bottoms Rich Mountain Rd closed for winter 321 Pittman Center ala ay rk w Pa ills ll s Pa h F o ot Exit 443 Cosby Ap p Walland Townsend, TN to: Cades Cove: 9 miles (¼ hour) Newfound Gap: 34 miles (1¼ hours) Gatlinburg: 22 miles (¾ hour) Cherokee: 52 miles (1½ hours) Look Rock: 18 miles (½ hour) Cataloochee: 87 miles (3 hours) PIGEON FORGE rk 129 411 th To Newport ay 441 Fo 321 o Fo ill w ar k s P 416 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Check twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS for updates. 321 To Chattanooga Cosby ek Tra il 411 MARYVILLE 32 Forge Creek Road closes December 31, opens March 3 Clingmans Dome Road and Straight Fork Road closed, open April 1 Little Greenbrier Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Rich Mtn. Road closed, open April 7 Parson Branch Road closed, opens April 14 Heintooga Ridge and Heintooga/Round Bottom Road closed, open May 12 129 Gatlinburg, TN to: Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 27 miles (1 hour) Newfound Gap: 16 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 23 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 65 miles (2½ hours) Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles (¼ hour) Deep Creek: 48 miles (1½ hours) 321 SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES All driving times may vary due to traffic conditions. Cherokee, NC to: Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 58 miles (2 hours) Newfound Gap: 18 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 25 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 39 miles (1½ hours) Deep Creek: 14 miles (½ hour) SEVIERVILLE Big Driving distances and estimated times ay Raccoon and firewood safety illustration on page 9 by Lisa Horstman. All others by Emma Oxford. R U LE O F TH U M B FO R WI LDLI F E VI E WING When viewing wildlife, hold your arm out straight. If you can’t cover the animal in your line of sight with your thumb, you’re too close! Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 8 LE AV E O N LY FOOT PRINT S Writing on or carving into trees, stones, or structures can cause permanent damage— it’s also a crime! Taking a PLE A S E LE AV E YO U R F I R E WO O D AT H O M E to remember your time in the Use only heat-treated or dead Smokies and helps preserve and down wood within the park. the park for others too. photo is always a better way Harmful pests can hitchhike into the park on your firewood, which could kill millions of trees. BIN IT FO R TH E B E A R S Help protect bears by packing out all trash and food waste and using bear-proof dumpsters in the park. K E E P PE T S O N D ­ ESIG N AT E D T R AI L S Remember that the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only pet-friendly trails in the park. All pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Smokies Guide Winter 2022-23 • 9 I F YOU LOVE THE SMOK I ES Great Smoky Mountains National Park depends on four primary nonprofit partners as well as 2,800 park volunteers to help its staff meet the needs of 14+ million visitors and manage 522,000 acres of resources. Great Smoky Mountains Association Since 1953, the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association has supported the educational, scientific, and historical preservation efforts of the park by operating the park’s official bookstores, publishing books and other media about the park’s natural and cultural resources, and supporting park programs. Over the years, GSMA has contributed more than $47 million to assist with living history demonstrations, save hemlock trees, fund natural resource education internships, construct visitor centers and the Collections ­Preservation Center, and much more. Association members receive a number of benefits to keep them informed about special events in the park and issues affecting the Smokies: • Subscription to the biannual fullcolor magazine Smokies Life • Digital access to this award-winning park newspaper and Smokies LIVE e-newsletter • 15–20% discount on books, music, gifts, and products at park visitor centers and at GSMA’s web store • 10% (or more) discount at 500+ additional nonprofit public lands partner stores • Access to member-exclusive group hikes, backpacking ­excursions, and educational sessions • Invitation to GSMA’s Members Weekend Join today by visiting SmokiesInformation.org or call us at 888.898.9102, ext. 257. Friends of the Smokies Founded in 1993, supporters of Friends of the Smokies have contributed over $75 million to the park. Funds help the park provide more than 14 million visitors a safe, memorable experience while protecting the historic and natural resources of the park. Every year, the park requests funding for numerous projects and programs that would be unfulfilled without the support of Friends. Programs and projects include: • ‘Forever Places’ endowment to support historic preservation • ‘Trails Forever’ endowment to fund the skilled crews who lead trail rehabilitation • ‘Trails Now,’ which funds materials for ‘Trails Forever’ projects • Facility improvements and visitor amenities • Campground renovations • Cultural experiences and special events • Search and Rescue vehicles and safety equipment • Education programs to serve over 10,000 students every year • Air and water quality monitoring • Conservation and wildlife management Programs like ‘Forever Places’ support the park’s efforts to ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy the park and walk in the footsteps of those who once called these mountains home. Your donation makes a difference. Learn more and become a ‘Friend’ by visiting FriendsOfTheSmokies.org. For information about memberships and planned giving, email: info@friendsofthesmokies.org or call 800.845.5665. Join the park’s partners in helping to protect this place for ourselves and future generations Discover Life in America The Smokies have long been renowned for their rich variety of life. Knowing what creatures reside here helps the National Park Service better protect the Smokies against threats like air pollution, wildfire, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change. Discover Life in America is a nonprofit partner that was launched in 1998 to manage the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), an effort to identify and learn about every variety of plant and animal in the park. The organization works with leading biologists from around the globe to conduct this mas