Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior SMOKIES GUIDE The Official Newspaper of the Smokies • Fall 2024 a na ge Kendra St raub , A me nt an d P r o gr am l na ys M t A monarch butterfly feeds on the nectar of tall boneset, a plant that flowers in early fall. Monarchs must make many stopovers during fall migration to sustain themselves on their journeys. Photo by Beth Dhunjisha. Words with a Ranger I didn’t grow up camping or hiking, but I did spend a lot of time on the beach in Maine. It wasn’t until I was in college that I discovered my love of outdoor recreation beyond building sandcastles and staring at the crashing waves—both of which I still love to do. Now, as the management and program analyst in the Smokies, I ultimately help others enjoy the great outdoors by coordinating our Visitor Experience Stewardship program and supporting the park’s long-term planning efforts. Many visitors don’t realize that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. I’m inspired to know I work in a place beloved by so many people, but such high visitation levels can also present a challenge: How do we offer Continued on page 12 Witness a Migration Marvel this Fall Park provides important habitat for wildlife on the move A utumn is a time of transition in the Smokies. As hot summer afternoons give way to crisp fall days, all manner of winged species pass through the park on their way south for the winter. Perhaps the most well-known fall migrant is the monarch butterfly. Measuring four inches across and weighing less than half a gram, these remarkable insects journey as many as 2,800 miles each year from summer habitat in the United States and Canada back to their wintering grounds in central Mexico. In the Smokies, migrating monarchs typically pass through from mid-September until late October. They are most often seen in Cades Cove but can also be glimpsed in other areas that offer the open habitats they favor, such as Cataloochee or Oconaluftee. Placing trackable tags OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA on monarchs is one way scientists are gathering more information about them, and the public is invited to help with tagging events held each fall by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Learn more at gsmit.org. Monarchs aren’t the Smokies’ only fall migrants. Through early October, head to high-elevation overlooks like Newfound Gap, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), Indian Gap, and Look Rock Tower to see broad-winged hawks on their way to Central and South America. Also heading south are various species of warblers, buntings, tanagers, and vireos. Scientists have only recently begun to learn about dragonfly migrations. These insects don’t travel in large groups, but some migrate hundreds of miles. Find out how you can help these and other species once your Smokies visit ends at nps.gov/subjects/connectedconservation/get-involved.htm. GreatSmoky MountainsNPS 86A-B68 PARKING TAG REQUIRED! Parking in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes requires a valid parking tag (annual tag pictured). For more info, scan code with camera app GreatSmokyNPS GreatSmokyNPS S M O K I E S Visitor centers Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cove: open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sept.–Nov.; 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Dec. (Cades Cove Wednesday hours 7 a.m.–3 p.m. through Sept.) Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome): open 9:30 a.m.– 6 p.m. Sept.– Oct.; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Nov.; closed Dec. GSM Institute at Tremont: open 10 a.m–4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Road closures • Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays from May 1 through September 25 to allow for non-motorized recreation. • Many secondary and higher-­ elevation roads close in late fall and remain closed in winter. Refer to the map on pages 8-9 for closing dates. • All park roads are subject to temporary closure during dangerous driving conditions. Visit nps.gov/grsm and click “Alerts.” Shuttle services Local shuttle services offer convenient transportation to and from the park’s most iconic destinations. Routes, schedules, pricing, and pick-up/drop-off locations vary. Visit go.nps.gov/grsmshuttles for a list of authorized concessioners. Weather In autumn, a pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights emerges by mid-September. However, cool, rainy days may also occur. Snow may fall at higher elevations beginning in November. As winter arrives, days can be sunny and 65°F or snowy with highs in the 20s. Snows of an inch or more may occur at lower ­elevations. T R I P P L A N N E R Firewood Campgrounds in the national park The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at ten locations in the park. There are no showers, and hookups are only available at Look Rock Campground (ten campsites include electric and water hookups). There are circuits for special medical uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Campsite reservations are required at all park campgrounds. Sites may be reserved up to six months in advance. Make your reservation online at recreation.gov or call 877.444.6777. Site occupancy is limited to six people and two vehicles (a trailer is considered one vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days. Campsites for larger groups are available 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. No. of Sites Elevation Open Dates 2024 Nightly Fees Max RV Length Abrams Creek 16 1,125' 4/26 – 10/27 $30 12' Balsam Mountain 43 5,310' 5/10 – 10/14 $30 30' Big Creek 12 1,700' 3/29 – 10/27 $30 tents only Cades Cove 159 1,807' open year-round $30 35–40' Cataloochee 27 2,610' 3/29 – 10/27 $30 31' Cosby 157 2,459' 3/29 – 10/27 $30 25' Deep Creek 92 1,800' 3/29 – 10/27 $30 26' Elkmont 220 2,150' 3/8 – 11/24 $30 32–35' Look Rock 68 2,600' 4/26 – 10/27 $30–36 no limit Smokemont 142 2,198' open year-round $30 35–40' Campground 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. Heintooga closes October 14; Big Creek and Look Rock close October 27; Cosby closes October 28; Collins Creek and Twin Creeks Pavilion close October 31; Chimneys closes December 2. Picnic pavilions may be reserved for a fee at recreation.gov. Accommodations LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail only, closes November 27) provides the only lodging in the park. Advance reservations only. 865.429.5704, lecontelodge.com Services There are no gas stations, charging stations, showers, or restaurants in the national park. Limited food options are available in visitor centers and camp stores. Event reservations Reserve the Appalachian Clubhouse or Spence Cabin at Elkmont for daytime events at recreation.gov. Cabin and clubhouse close October 31. Pets Pets are allowed in 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 on a leash no longer than six feet. See page 6. SMOKIES GUIDE Smokies Guide is produced four times per year by Smokies Life and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. nps.gov/grsm SmokiesLife.org Publication dates Spring: March Summer: June Autumn: September Winter: December Editor Aaron Searcy Designer Emma Oxford Editorial support Valerie Polk Holly Kays Design support Karen Key Miranda Bemis Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 2 NPS coordinators Stephanie Kyriazis Stephanie Sutton © 2024 Smokies Life P.O. Box 130 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Available in digital format at issuu.com/ greatsmokymountains association Printed on recycled paper 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 16 or under and strongly recommended for all. Cades Cove Loop Road is open exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians on Wednesdays from May 1 through September 25. Bikes may be rented at the Cades Cove C ­ ampground Store 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Bike rental opens early at 7 a.m. on vehicle-free Wednesdays. 865.448.9034. 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. • Cades Cove 865.448.9009 cadescovestables.com • Smokemont 828.497.2373 smokemontridingstable.com • Sugarlands 865.436.5470 sugarlandsstables.com Fishing Fishing is permitted year-round 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 in the backcountry 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 challenges 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 (go.nps.gov/grsmmaps), 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 SmokiesLife.org. 2. Plan your trip. Call the park’s Backcountry Office GSMNP BY THE NUMBERS from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or drop into the office located within Sugarlands Visitor Center for trip-planning help. The office is open to visitors during visitor center hours. 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 $8 per person per night. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. Backcountry camping permit holders are not exempt from parking tag requirements. Fall hikers should be especially aware of abrupt weather changes and the danger of hypothermia—the dangerous lowering of body temperature. The combination of rain, cold, and wind (especially at the higher elevations) is extremely dangerous. See page 11 for more hiking tips and trip essentials. Special events and ranger activities See pages 4–5 for ranger activities, inquire at a visitor center, or visit go.nps.gov/grsmcalendar for a full calendar of events. The only two pet-friendly trails in the Smokies are the Gatlinburg Trail in Tennessee and the Oconaluftee River Trail in North Carolina. Learn the BARK principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit in the Smokies. 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 12 million+ 1,000 +species visitors per year new to science found in the park MOVING ROCKS HARMS AQUATIC LIFE. bark ranger great smoky mountains national park species of species mtns. higher 31 species salamanders 69 of mammals 10,400 +of insects 16 than 6,000' Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 3 Download the free NPS App for interactive maps, tours, and more! RANGER ACTIVITIES Activity schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. For a full list of programs, inquire at a visitor center or visit: go.nps.gov/grsmcalendar PROGRAMS RUN THROUGH OCT. 31 MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY 11 a.m. Noah Bud Ogle parking area (Cherokee Orchard Road) 30 minutes Friday, Saturday Sugarlands Visitor Center 1 hour Little Greenbrier School 1.5 hours Newfound Gap overlook 30 minutes Monday, Wednesday Sugarlands Visitor Center patio 30 minutes Tuesday, Friday Newfound Gap Rockefeller Memorial 30 minutes Porters Creek Hike: Ever wanted to be a detective? Join us as we search for signs of early Smokies homesteads and learn about cultural and natural history on this two-mile hike. Monday Porters Creek trailhead (Greenbrier) 3 hours Cove Hardwood Hike: Join a ranger for a family-friendly one-mile hike through an oldgrowth hardwood forest, leafy ferns, and babbling creeks with rich stories of the past. Wednesday Chimneys Picnic Area, group picnic site 2 hours Tuesday Jakes Creek parking lot (Elkmont) 1 hour Saturday Cosby Picnic Area parking lot 2 hours NORTH DISTRICT (near Gatlinburg, TN) Wildlife Wonders Talk: Wondering what wild things live in the park? Come learn about Smokies biodiversity from bats and bugs to bears and much more. WHEN Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday Junior Ranger Ramble: Join a ranger for a walk, talk, or activity to learn about natural and cultural history and become a park steward. Topics vary daily—inquire at the visitor center about accessibility. 11 a.m. Walker Sisters Hike: Take a walk through the woods 2.2 miles roundtrip to the Walker family homesite and discover the folks who once lived in the mountains. Learn about communities, religion, education, and the “modern” conveniences of the day. Vital Signs of the Smokies Talk: Join a ranger for a talk exploring the beauty and biodiversity of the park and learn about the vital signs of the Smokies that help us to track and better understand the challenges faced by this fragile ecosystem. Bear with Us Talk: Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains ­National Park—black bears! A Tale of Two States Talk: Come stand where President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940. Learn about how the people of two states came together to help create Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sunday, Friday 11 a.m. Monday, Thursday 12 p.m. 11 a.m. History of Daisy Town Walk: Explore the many restored cabins and vacation homes of Daisy Town and learn about the birth of regional tourism before the Great Smoky ­Mountains became a national park. Cosby Nature Trail Hike: Learn about what makes this forest so unique and diverse as you explore a one-mile loop trail with a ranger. Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 4 12 p.m. 11 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 10 a.m. SOUTH DISTRICT (near Cherokee, NC) PROGRAMS RUN THROUGH OCT. 31 Wild about the Smokies Talk: Join a ranger for a short talk about elk behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts to help them thrive in the Smokies. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. Kuwohi Guided Hike: Join a ranger on this 1.5-mile roundtrip guided hike that leads to majestic views views from an observation tower at the tallest peak in the park. Hike through the park’s unique spruce-fir forest and discover all that the Smokies has to offer. Down on the Farm: Immerse yourself in Smokies history! See how families survived here with demonstrations such as blacksmithing, fencing, or broom-making. Program topic varies. Check the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for more information. Deep Creek Waterfall Hike: Deep Creek is defined by gushing waterfalls and peaceful streams. Join a ranger on this two-mile roundtrip guided hike to discover these wonders and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. Return of the Elk Talk: Learn about how elk—which were nearly extinct due to overhunting and loss of habitat across North America—managed to return to the Smokies, filling Cataloochee Valley once again with their echoing bugles every fall. Old-Time Music Jam: Join in with local musicians playing old-time songs on traditional Appalachian instruments like the banjo and mountain dulcimer. All experience levels and instruments are welcome. MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch 30 minutes Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) parking area 1.5 hours Mountain Farm Museum Drop in Deep Creek trailhead 1 hour Cataloochee Valley 1 hour Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch 2 hours WHEN Daily 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 1–3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunday 1 p.m. First and third Saturday of the month 1 p.m. DUE TO HEAVY FALL TRAFFIC, REGULARLY SCHEDULED RANGER ACTIVITIES IN CADES COVE WILL END ON SEPTEMBER 30. Some programming may continue on a day-to-day basis. Check a visitor center or the online calendar (see opposite page) for the most up-to-date information, and please allow extra time for your visit to Cades Cove. CADES COVE (near Townsend, TN) PROGRAMS RUN THROUGH SEPT. 30 Bear Aware Talk: Stop by for a short chat about bears in the Smokies, what to do if you see one, and how it takes all of us working together to keep them healthy and wild. WHEN Sunday, Thursday 9:30–11:30 a.m. Monday, Saturday 1:30–3:30 p.m. Old-Time Technology Walk: Take a walking tour of the historic buildings in the mill area to learn how residents used innovative technology to make life in Cades Cove more ­comfortable and efficient. Sunday, Tuesday, Friday Wild Things: Bring the whole family for an interactive experience to learn about some of the creatures that call Cades Cove home. Experiences vary daily—inquire at the ranger station for accessibility. Sunday, Tuesday, Friday Stream Connections Walk: Learn about and look for critters found in the waterways of the park while discovering what they reveal about the health of our streams. Be prepared to walk a quarter mile and get wet. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Sunday, Thursday 1 p.m. Cove Life Talk: Visit a historic cabin to learn about daily life in Cades Cove prior to the creation of the national park. The trail to the cabin is a half mile roundtrip. Drop into History: Watch historical demonstrations related to life in Cades Cove and possibly try some for yourself. Demos will vary but may include blacksmithing, Appalachian music, quilting, storytelling, doll-making, weaving, or other skills. Tuesday 9–11 a.m. Thursday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 5 MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Cades Cove Orientation Shelter Drop in Cable Mill Historic Area, Program Circle 30 minutes Cable Mill Historic Area, Program Circle 45 minutes–1 hour Cades Cove Amphitheater 1.5 hours John Oliver Cabin Drop in Cable Mill Historic Area Drop in THINGS TO DO I N T H E F A L L Explore the Smokies’ hidden gems A n 18-month closure of Laurel Falls Trail starts this fall, allowing crews to make much-needed improvements to the popular trail. But for this and other iconic locations such as Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), Alum Cave, and Rainbow Falls, alternatives abound within the 816-square-mile national park. Instead of Laurel Falls, consider visiting Hen Wallow Falls in the park’s Cosby area. The trailhead at Cosby Picnic Area offers easy parking, and the lightly used trail provides a pleasant 4.4-mile roundtrip hike through hemlock and rhododendron forest. At 90 feet, the falls are ten feet higher than Laurel Falls. Leave the crowds behind when exploring Smokies history at Metcalf Bottoms Trail. Hike 0.7 miles roundtrip to the one-room Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse, built in 1881, or make it 2.5 miles to reach the Walker Sisters Cabin, where the five unmarried sisters continued to live for decades after the park’s creation. In lieu of Kuwohi, consider a scenic drive along Foothills Parkway West. Stop at Look Rock Tower and hike 0.8 miles roundtrip to panoramic views of the Smokies and East Tennessee. On the North Carolina side of the park, Balsam Mountain Road and Lakeview Drive offer gorgeous scenery without the crowds. Foothills Parkway West photo by Joye Ardyn Durham. Find pet-friendly trails P ets are prohibited on most trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but two exceptions are Gatlinburg Trail near Sugarlands Visitor Center in Tennessee and Oconaluftee River Trail near Oconaluftee Visitor Center in North Carolina. On these two trails, pets are welcome but should be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Pets are also allowed in frontcountry campgrounds and along roads in the Smokies but must be appropriately restrained. If you’re looking for more options nearby, consider exploring a few of the national forests surrounding the national park. Sections of Cherokee National Forest to the west and northeast of the Smokies are great options with many trails to choose from, as are Pisgah National Forest to the northeast, Nantahala National Forest to the south, and the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and Citico Creek Wilderness to the west. You can also find and compare dozens of pet-friendly trails using the AllTrails app and the “dog-friendly” suitability filter. Photo by Michele Sons. Check out the BARK Ranger gear available at park visitor centers! Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 6 Enjoy a special fall event FALL EVENTS Stargazing Party: Join rangers and local astronomy clubs to enjoy the night sky in Cades Cove. Be prepared to walk approximately a half mile and bring blankets, camp chairs, binoculars, flashlights, water, snacks, and layers for cool weather. Check go.nps.gov/grsmcalendar for updates in the event of weather-related cancellation. Mountain Life Festival: Peek into the past and share in some of the traditional fall abundance of Appalachia. Learn what life was like for families who lived on lands that later became Great Smoky Mountains National Park as you interact with living historians demonstrating blacksmithing, sorghum milling, apple cider pressing, soap making, live music, and more. Cades Cove Sorghum-Making Demonstrations: Learn all about growing, harvesting, and preserving a Smoky Mountain staple at live sorghum-making demonstrations. Don’t forget to try a sample! WHEN? September 14 Sunset September 28 10 a.m.–4 p.m. September 20, 21, 22 November 14, 15, 16, 17 November 22, 23, 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m. MEETING LOCATION Cades Cove Orientation Shelter Mountain Farm Museum at Oconaluftee Visitor Center Cable Mill Historic Area Old-fashioned toy making on display at the Mountain Life Festival. Photo by Kristine Brunsman. Free adaptive programs and equipment check-out T hose with physical disabilities can take advantage of free equipment rentals and an exciting series of guided outdoor activities in the park this fall. In the ranger-led outings listed below, participants of all abilities and their families can register to use off-road wheelchairs provided by the park free of charge or bring their own equipment to hike or bike while learning about the natural and cultural history of the Smokies. Registration is required to ensure adequate equipment and volunteer support through Catalyst Sports at catalystsports.org/great-smoky-mountain-adaptive-hike-bike. Although space in these programs is limited, wheelchair users can also explore the Smokies anytime by checking out one of the park’s off-road GRIT Freedom chairs available Mondays and Tuesdays at Sugarlands Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis and reservable Wednesday through Sunday online at catalystsports.org/grit-chair-rental through September. Users must register at least three business days in advance and can do so up to 30 days ahead of time. GRIT Freedom chairs have been evaluated and approved for use on Gatlinburg Trail, Little River Trail, Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail, Bradley Fork Trail, Oconaluftee River Trail, Deep Creek Trail, Middle Prong Trail, John Oliver Trail, Elijah Oliver Trail, and the areas around Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cove visitor centers. FALL 2024 ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS Hikers use an adaptive wheelchair to explore Cooper Road Trail. NPS photo. WHEN? MEETING LOCATION DURATION Adaptive Hike NC September 7 Bradley Fork trailhead 2 hours Adaptive Mountain Bike NC September 14 Deep Creek trailhead 2 hours Adaptive Mountain Bike TN September 15 Cades Cove Visitor Center 2 hours October 5 Middle Prong trailhead 2 hours Adaptive Hike TN Smokies Guide Fall 2024 • 7 To Knoxville Parking tag purchase locations within the park To I-40 PIGEON FORGE 321 Pittman Center 73 321 N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Mount Cammerer Trail 40 wi in d Cu cum b er Ga p Trail M O U N TA I N S n E SE R ES Lake Cheoah OL I NA Tr rk Fo Co ve Bi g Cre l Twentymile Cascade Fontana Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail La Lake Twentymile H RT vie wD r Ap p al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 r) Big Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls g e R id e Parkw ay Deep Creek Museum of the Cherokee People Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap (see left column) Soco Falls Current/upcoming construction (see nps.gov/grsm) Horseback Riding (rental) 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. Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads FOREST 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w NATIONAL WAYNESVILLE Restrooms SYLVA NANTAHALA Dellwood Parking tag purchase locations Gravel Roads 28 To Asheville 19 441 74 276 Maggie Valley 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek e Pa ©Smokies Life 2024 /Rou Trail Santeetlah Lake 129 ga 19 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA te oo id g lue R ch in n wi ad Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE ia NO ke Juney Whank Falls Trail BRYSON CITY FONTANA VILLAGE Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Loop Trail il Ro Blu 441 ra i Tw e n ty m Mingus Hazel Creek Trail ed t ein Smokemont Loop Trail Mountain Farm Museum eT Deals Gap i Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail App al Twentymile Loop Trail Wolf Ridge Trail CA TE NN CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Andrews Bald ac h i a n 129 Calderwood Lake at Smokemont Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) ) ter wi n Chasteen Creek Falls Trail ad os PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee H Kephart Prong Trail Deep i rs Pa osed (cl Ro Trail B h P NAL K AR Heintooga Ridge Rd . on c ra n Thunderhead Mountain Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays May 1– September 25. Trail IO N AT Tops Trail Kan Cades Cove an Newfound Gap Chimney Tops Chimney Kuwohi Visitor Center Chilhowee • Open business hours (see page 2) • Accepts cash or credit/debit • Daily, weekly, and annual tags available Fern Branch Falls Charlies Bunion Alum Cave Bluffs Middle Prong Trail SMOKY Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Alum Cave Trail re sC ke Ja Old NC 284/Old Cataloochee Rd Mount Guyot (cl R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich il Tra lls G R E AT Daisy Town Ramsey Cascades Bottom Rd nd . GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades Lit tle ek T il ra m sF a Elkmont lls il Tra d Ab ra Abrams Falls Abrams Creek (c Little re r ve tR e los b Traow F il a Ri on Schoolhouse Gap Trail r i ll iu Tra m Gap il in Ra Meigs Falls des Trail sca Big Creek Porters Flat Grotto Falls T r Rive Tre m Look Rock Tower o l op Trai ut T stn Ch e ad Sugarlands Visitor Center Road Trail Heritage Center a Ramsey C Mouse Creek Falls i 73 Townsend Fighting Creek Trail Little Greenbrier Laurel School Falls Laurel Falls Red light #8 ch 321 Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road Po r t e r s C Fo o t hi Great Smokies Welcome Center Little Brier Gap Trail ala ll s Metcalf Bottoms Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter) GATLINBURG Wears Valley Greenbrier Ap p way Pa ills A es M ounta i n Lo w Tra Gap il ek rk Pa To Chattanooga h F o ot y rk wa TENNESSEE Exit 451 32 Cosby Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center ek Tra il Walland 129 411 Visitor Center For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Exit 447 441 Cades Cove Visitor Center Parking tags are available outside the park at Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend, Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Swain County Visitor Center, and select area businesses. Hartford ek Trail Cre Located at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Cades Cove Loop Entrance, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Newfound Gap, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Deep Creek Picnic Area, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), Greenbrier, Cosby, Big Creek, Townsend Wye, Look Rock, and Cataloochee. Located at Sugarlands, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, and Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). ill Exit 443 416 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Visit nps.gov/grsm and click “Alerts.” 321 th To Newport ay a il 411 o Fo w ar k s P Tr 129 MARYVILLE 32 Cosby Heintooga Ridge and Heintooga/Round Bottom Road close October 31 Straight Fork Road closes November 1 Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road close November 10 Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) Road closes November 30 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Little Greenbrier Road close December 1 Forge Creek Road closes December 31 321 • Available 24 hours per day • Accepts credit/debit only • Daily and weekly tags only 321 SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES Parking tags may be purchased at locations designated by these symbols on the map: Automated Fee Machine (AFM) SEVIERVILLE ay To Knoxville Parking tag purchase locations within the park To I-40 PIGEON FORGE 321 Pittman Center 73 321 N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Mount Cammerer Trail 40 wi in d Cu cum b er Ga p Trail M O U N TA I N S n E SE R ES Lake Cheoah OL I NA Tr rk Fo Co ve Bi g Cre l Twentymile Cascade Fontana Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail La Lake Twentymile H RT vie wD r Ap p al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 r) Big Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls g e R id e Parkw ay Deep Creek Museum of the Cherokee People Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap (see left column) Soco Falls Current/upcoming construction (see nps.gov/grsm) Horseback Riding (rental) 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. Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads FOREST 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w NATIONAL WAYNESVILLE Restrooms SYLVA NANTAHALA Dellwood Parking tag purchase locations Gravel Roads 28 To Asheville 19 441 74 276 Maggie Valley 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek e Pa ©Smokies Life 2024 /Rou Trail Santeetlah Lake 129 ga 19 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA te oo id g lue R ch in n wi ad Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE ia NO ke Juney Whank Falls Trail BRYSON CITY FONTANA VILLAGE Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Loop Trail il Ro Blu 441 ra i Tw e n ty m Mingus Hazel Creek Trail ed t ein Smokemont Loop Trail Mountain Farm Museum eT Deals Gap i Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail App al Twentymile Loop Trail Wolf Ridge Trail