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 • Summer 2024 D gi is t Catawba rhododendron, a species typically found in the park’s highest elevations, blooms on a mountain ridge. High-elevation hikes are popular during summer months, but trailhead parking can fill quickly. i l t a C am i ia t, lle B e n n et p e c lC om S m u n i c at i o n s Words with a Ranger As a digital communications ­specialist, I help manage the park’s website, mobile app, and social media content. In a park this big, teamwork is key—many park employees help create our digital content so visitors can plan their trips, learn about the park, and find critical safety information. I am grateful to be part of such a ­collaborative workplace. Digital communications are essential both internally and externally, which means I get the chance to be plugged into everything, and I enjoy seeing and hearing about all the amazing work going on in the Smokies. We have so much to share—whether it’s the latest scientific discovery or an update about a reopened trail or a restored cabin. Continued on page 12 Explore More with a Shuttle This Summer Shuttle services offer a dependable transportation alternative P lanning an adventure in the Smokies this summer but worried about finding a parking spot? Local shuttle services can take the uncertainty out of trip planning and guarantee a stress-free ride to the destination of your choice. Several local businesses offer shuttles to and from the park’s most popular hubs­—including Newfound Gap, Alum Cave trailhead, and Rainbow Falls trailhead—where demand for parking regularly exceeds capacity. Some shuttles maintain a regular route and schedule, while others can be reserved for any time and pick-up or drop-off location. Prices generally range from $10 to $25 per person depending on the destination and provider, and services cater to single passengers as well as groups of up to 15. Summer can be a particularly busy time in the Smokies, where annual OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA visitation regularly exceeds that of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined. All vehicles parked anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for longer than 15 minutes must display a valid parking tag. Parking tags do not guarantee a specific parking spot in a specific location, and parking spaces continue to be available on a first come, first served basis. Mid-week and early mornings or late afternoons are usually the best times to secure parking, but if no spaces are available, visitors will need to try an alternative destination or time. For more information about shuttles and a list of authorized providers, visit go.nps.gov/grsmshuttles. Park staff cannot make shuttle reservations for visitors. The Backcountry Office offers additional trip-planning help at 865.436.1297. 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. June through September. Cades Cove open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Wednesdays. Clingmans Dome: open 9:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. June through September. 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. • All park roads are subject to temporary closure during dangerous driving conditions. Visit nps.gov/grsm and click “Alerts.” 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 summer, the Smokies are often hot, hazy, and humid by mid-June. Most precipitation occurs as afternoon thundershowers. By mid-September, a pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights begins. However, cool, rainy days may also occur. 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. 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' Site Shuttle services T R I P 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 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 Summer 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. Summer hikers should be especially aware of the dangers of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and hyponatremia—the combination of increased water intake and inadequate sodium and electrolyte levels. Drink when thirsty; rest and eat often. Always carry an ample supply of water, snacks, and sun protection. Know your limits. Reduce the risk of hypothermia, a danger even in summer, with layered clothing and rain gear. See page 11 for more hiking tips and trip essentials. 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 Summer 2024 • 3 Download the free NPS App for interactive maps, tours, and more! RANGER ACTIVITIES Event schedules are weatherdependent and subject to change. For a full list of programs, please visit: go.nps.gov/grsmcalendar MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Sugarlands Visitor Center 1 hour Tuesday, Thursday Newfound Gap Rockefeller Memorial 1 hour Monday, Tuesday Porters Creek trailhead (Greenbrier) 3 hours Little Greenbrier School 1.5 hours Tuesday, Saturday Jakes Creek parking lot (Elkmont) 1 hour Sunday, Friday Cosby Picnic Area parking lot 3 hours Newfound Gap Overlook 30 minutes– 1.5 hours Chimneys Picnic Area, group picnic site 1.5 hours Sugarlands Visitor Center 30 minutes Sugarlands Visitor Center 30 minutes NORTH DISTRICT (near Gatlinburg, TN) WHEN? Junior Ranger Ramble: Join a ranger for walk, talk, or guided activity to learn more about natural and cultural history and become a steward of the park. Topics vary daily. A Tale of Two States: 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. Porters Creek Hike: Ever wanted to be a detective? Join us as we go in search of signs of early homesteads in the Smokies and learn about cultural and natural history along the way. Walker Sisters Hike: Take a walk through the woods 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. History of Daisy Town: 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. Hen Wallow Falls Hike: Hike 4.3 miles roundtrip with a ranger through hemlock and rhododendron forest via Gabes Mountain Trail to enjoy the refreshing mist of Hen Wallow Falls. Vital Signs of the Smokies: Join a ranger for a walk or 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. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11 a.m. 12 p.m. 11 a.m. Sunday, Friday 1 p.m. 11 a.m. 10 a.m. Monday, Thursday 12 p.m. Cove Hardwood Hike: Join a ranger for a family-friendly hike through an old-growth hardwood forest with leafy ferns, babbling creeks, and rich stories of the past. Wednesday Bear with Us!: Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains ­National Park—black bears! Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Wildlife Wonders: Wondering about what wild things live in the park? Learn about the incredible richness of Smokies biodiversity from bats and bugs to bears and much more. Smokies Guide Summer 2024 • 4 11 a.m. Sunday 11 a.m. SOUTH DISTRICT (near Cherokee, NC) MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY 3 p.m. Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch 30 minutes Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Clingmans Dome parking area 1.5 hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Deep Creek trailhead 1 hour Mountain Farm Museum Drop in Cataloochee Valley 1 hour Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch 2 hours Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch Formal program 11–11:30 p.m., drop-in stations 12–3 p.m. MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Saturday Cades Cove Picnic Area 30 minutes Monday, Thursday, Saturday Cable Mill Historic Area Drop in Cable Mill Historic Area, Becky Cable House 30 minutes Cable Mill Historic Area, Program Circle 30 minutes Cable Mill Historic Area, Program Circle 45 minutes–1 hour Anthony Creek trailhead 1 hour Second John Oliver Cabin parking lot 45 minutes–1 hour WHEN? Wild about the Smokies: 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. Clingmans Dome Guided Hike: Join a ranger on this 1.5-mile guided hike that leads to majestic views atop Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. Hike through the park’s unique spruce-fir forest and discover all that the Smokies has to offer. Deep Creek Waterfall Walk: Deep Creek is defined by gushing waterfalls and peaceful streams. Join a ranger on this walk to discover these wonders and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. 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. Daily 11 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Drop in, 1–3 p.m. Return of the Elk: 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 the 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. Poetry in Parks: Attend the unveiling of a special picnic table featuring a nature-themed poem selected by US Poet Laureate Ada Limón. After the unveiling, join park staff and partners for fun family activities that connect park science and culture to art. CADES COVE (near Townsend, TN) Sunday 1 p.m. Third Saturday of the month 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20 11 a.m.–3 p.m. WHEN? Bear Aware: Join us in the picnic area 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. 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. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Drop in, 10 a.m–2 p.m. Burning Daylight: Had “too many irons in the fire” for a while? Stop by the Becky Cable House to “shoot the breeze” and learn about the origins of some colorful common phrases. You’ll learn “more than you can shake a stick at.” Sunday, Tuesday, Friday Old Time Technology: 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. Some programs are accessible—check at the ranger station. Sunday, Tuesday, Friday Stream Connections: Walk upstream and back in time to explore the connections between streams and their environment. Learn how human activity has shifted the stream from healthy to stressed and back. Continue on for a longer hike or walk back with the ranger. Portraits from the Cove: Venture up the accessible path to the John Oliver Cabin. Learn about the community that developed in Cades Cove in the 19th century and how it compared to communities elsewhere in the growing United States at the time. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Sunday, Thursday 1 p.m. Tuesday, Friday Smokies Guide Summer 2024 • 5 9 a.m. THINGS TO DO I N T H E S U M M E R T I M E Help protect threatened fish and salamanders T here are 2,900 miles of rivers and streams in the Smokies, which means you’re never too far from the sound of flowing water or an opportunity to cool off on a hot summer’s day. But these scenic waterways aren’t just refreshing pitstops for hikers—they’re also home to an amazing variety of wildlife including insects, crayfish, aquatic salamanders, and fish. Some species, like the Citico darter or the Smoky madtom, are federally threatened or endangered. The best way to help protect these rare aquatic species is simple: don’t move rocks. Moving rocks to create dams, channels, or cairns may seem harmless, but it can have serious consequences for animals that are sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. Moving rocks can destroy important underwater shelters or kill eggs and young. In early summer, river chub build large stone nests on the river bottom. Several other species of fish—like central stonerollers, Tennessee shiners, or saffron shiners—also rely on these same mounds as safe spawning sites. Aquatic salamanders, too, make their homes and nests under rocks. Some species like the eastern hellbender are so rare that Smokies streams are some of the last places they can be found. Other than leaving rocks as they are, anglers can help these fish and salamander species thrive by never using live bait in the Smokies and thoroughly cleaning boots, waders, and other fishing gear before entering park waters to avoid transporting invasive species. The stonerollers and hellbenders will thank you! Photo by Adam Gravett. 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” search filter. Photo by Emma Oxford. Check out the BARK Ranger gear available at park visitor centers! Smokies Guide Summer 2024 • 6 Celebrating Cosby V isitors of all ages are invited to join park rangers and special guests in Cosby on select Fridays this summer. Ranger-led programs held at the Cosby Campground amphitheater will celebrate the rich cultural and natural history of the Cosby area and explore Cherokee storytelling and dance, mountain music, moonshiners, and more. Cosby Campground is situated along the banks of scenic Cosby Creek in a large cove shaded by hardwood forest, with a picnic area and several trailheads nearby. CELEBRATING COSBY WHEN? June 21 Mountain Edge Band: Traditional bluegrass music and storytelling 7 p.m. Cherokee Storytelling and Dance: Learn about Cherokee culture through story, music, and dance presented by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians June 28 7 p.m. Honoring Those Who Serve: Quilts of Valor presentation honoring service members of the past and present July 5 7 p.m. People of the Mountains: Hear tell of what life was like living and working in Cosby before and after the creation of the park July 12 Moonshiners: Distill fact from fiction as you learn about the art of making moonshine in the mountains July 19 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Corn was a staple crop for many farming communities in the Smokies prior to the creation of the park, and distilling this corn into whiskey, or moonshine, became a lucrative practice that remains strongly associated with Southern Appalachia. Celebrating Cosby moonshine presenters from left to right: Kelly Williamson, Digger Manes, Ranger Katie Corrigan, and Mark Ramsey. NPS photo. Free adaptive programs and equipment check-out T hose with physical disabilities can take advantage of free equipment rentals and an exciting series of outdoor activities in the Smokies this summer. During these ranger-led programs, participants of all abilities and their families are invited to bring their own equipment or assistive technology to hike, bike, kayak, or camp while learning about the natural and cultural history of the Smokies. Additional adaptive equipment, including off-road wheelchairs, may also be available for use. Register for adaptive programs through Catalyst Sports, a nonprofit organization, at catalystsports.org/great-smoky-mountain-adaptive-hike-bike. Registration is required to ensure adequate equipment and volunteer support. Outside of the scheduled programs, four GRIT Freedom Chairs, a type of off-road wheelchair, will be available to check out and use on park trails evaluated for the equipment, like the Little River or Deep Creek trails. These programs and additional adaptive equipment inventory are made possible through the partnership of Catalyst Sports of Knox County, Kampgrounds of American Foundation, Friends of the Smokies, and the National Environmental Education Foundation. Hikers use an adaptive wheelchair to explore Deep Creek Trail near Tom Branch Falls. Photo by Catalyst Sports. SUMMER 2024 ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS WHEN? MEETING LOCATION DURATION Adaptive Hike and Overnight Camping Trip June 8–9 Cooper Road trailhead (camping at backcountry campsite 1) 2 days Adaptive Kayak June 22 Fontana Lake Marina 3 hours Adaptive Hike and Boat Tour July 14 Fontana Lake Marina 3 hours Smokies Guide Summer 2024 • 7 To Knoxville Parking tag purchase locations within the park To I-40 32 Newfound Gap Road Construction near Gatlinburg Entrance Single-lane closures from April 15 through September 27 Mingus Mill closed for repairs until further notice PIGEON FORGE 321 321 73 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Mount Cammerer Trail 40 p Trail re sC ke Ja i rs Pa osed (cl n E SE R ES Andrews Bald ac h i a n Lake Cheoah OL I NA 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 Big i r) Boogerman Loop Trail Co ve Deep Creek Exit 20 Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls g e R id e Parkw ay 276 Maggie Valley Museum of the Cherokee People Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Parking tag purchase locations 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 NATIONAL FOREST 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w SYLVA NANTAHALA WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Gravel Roads 28 Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls 23 74 143 To Asheville 19 441 74 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 l Wolf Ridge Trail CA TE NN CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Twentymile Loop Trail Calderwood Lake at Smokemont ) ter wi n 129 Kan Bi g ad Chasteen Creek Falls Trail Ro ch Clingmans Dome Visitor Center Deep B h Trail on c ra n App al • Open business hours (see page 2) • Accepts cash or credit/debit • Daily, weekly, and annual tags available ala M O U N TA I N S os PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee H Kephart Prong Trail Thunderhead Mountain Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays May 1– September 25. P NAL Rd . SMOKY IO N AT Newfound Gap Trail Middle Prong Trail Charlies Bunion Clingmans Dome Cades Cove Chilhowee Alum Cave Bluffs K AR intooga Ridge Road He Visitor Center Alum Cave Trail Chimney Tops Chimney Tops Trail (cl b er Ga an rk cum Old NC 284/Old Cataloochee Rd Mount Guyot S tra ig h t Fo wi in d Cu Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Fern Branch Falls rk R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich il Tra lls G R E AT Daisy Town Ramsey Cascades Big Creek 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 (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 Mouse Creek Falls 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 Ap p 73 Townsend Fighting Creek Trail Little Greenbrier Laurel School Falls Laurel Falls Red light #8 Tr 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 Fo ll s Metcalf Bottoms Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter) GATLINBURG Wears Valley Greenbrier ek way Pa ills A es M ounta i n Lo w Tra Gap il Cre rk Pa To Chattanooga h F o ot y rk wa ek Tra il Walland 129 411 TENNESSEE Exit 451 32 Cosby Pittman Center Cades Cove Visitor Center For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST ek Trail Cre Abrams Creek 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 Exit 447 441 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Located at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Cades Cove Loop Entrance, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Newfound Gap, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Deep Creek Picnic Area, 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 Clingmans Dome (closed in winter). Exit 443 a il MARYVILLE ill To Newport ay 416 Lakeview Drive Construction Temporary single-lane closures until early July for paving 411 th w ar k s P Tr 129 o Fo Cosby 321 • Available 24 hours per day • Accepts credit/debit only • Daily and weekly tags only 321 CLOSURES AND ADVISORIES 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 32 Newfound Gap Road Construction near Gatlinburg Entrance Single-lane closures from April 15 through September 27 Mingus Mill closed for repairs until further notice PIGEON FORGE 321 321 73 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Mount Cammerer Trail 40 p Trail re sC ke Ja i rs Pa osed (cl n E SE R ES Andrews Bald ac h i a n Lake Cheoah OL I NA 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 Big i r) Boogerman Loop Trail Co ve Deep Creek Exit 20 Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls g e R id e Parkw ay 276 Maggie Valley Museum of the Cherokee People Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Parking tag purchase locations 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 NATIONAL FOREST 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w SYLVA NANTAHALA WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Gravel Roads 28 Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls 23 74 143 To Asheville 19 44