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 • Winter 2024-25 The rolling hills of Cades Cove are a feast for the eyes with a light dusting of frost. Cades Cove, like most areas on the western side of the park, saw little damage from the hurricane. Photo by Bill Lea. s sM en t Ca s iu . Ca s h , Su p er in n te d Words with a Ranger After ten years at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and 33 years in public service, the time has come for me to hang up my flat hat. As an idealistic young man starting my career in the US Forest Service in 1991, I could have had no idea what adventures lay ahead or that I would have the honor to lead the most visited national park in America. This is a complex park; with 400 employees, 2,000 volunteers, and more than 13 million visitors per year, there is never a dull moment. I have cherished these opportunities and the challenges that have come along with them. In fact, this ten-year stretch may have been the most consequential decade of the park’s history. We have experienced a prolonged government shutdown, hurricanes, wildland fires, and a global pandemic. Yes, there Continued on page 8 Park’s East Still Recovering in Wake of Helene Several storm-related road and trail closures will persist this winter I t’s been months since Hurricane Helene tore through the Southern Appalachians, but the storm’s impacts still linger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though most of the park saw only minor flooding, significant damage in its far eastern region has led the National Park Service to close the Cataloochee Valley, Big Creek, and Balsam Mountain areas until further notice. In Cataloochee, the worst-hit area of the park, all trails were affected by flooding and erosion. Only two footlog bridges survived, and fields were left full of debris. In many places, the entrance road along Rough Fork Creek transformed into a gully where the raging waters ripped away the roadbed and ate at the foundation of Caldwell Barn. The entire length of Big Creek Trail was damaged, and Heintooga Road and Straight Fork Road both saw numerous washouts. A footlog bridge on Swallow OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA Fork Trail, one mile up from the junction with Big Creek Trail, washed away, and a significant landslide took out about 100 feet of Gunter Fork Trail. Flooding outside the park boundary could also impact visitors. The heavily used section of Interstate 40 connecting North Carolina and Tennessee, closed since Helene, will reopen as a two-lane road by 2025. A permanent fix is still nearly two years away. Despite the damage, plenty of magic awaits park visitors this winter, and most park trails remain open and accessible. Just be sure to check current conditions before you venture out, as winter weather can change rapidly. Ask at a visitor center or see current closures at go.nps.gov/SmokiesConditions. For information about road closures outside the park, visit smartway.tn.gov/traffic for Tennessee roads or drivenc.gov for North Carolina. 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.–4:30 p.m. December through February, 9 a.m–5 p.m. in March. Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome): closed for the season. GSM Institute at Tremont: open 10 a.m–4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday only. All visitor centers are closed on December 25. Road closures • Many secondary and higher-­elevation roads close in late fall and remain closed in winter. Refer to the map on pages 6-7 for opening dates. • All park roads are subject to temporary closure during dangerous driving conditions. Visit go.nps.gov/ smokiesconditions for current info. 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 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 Mount Le Conte 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. 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. Camping is only permitted in designated sites. 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 Expected Opening Dates 2025 Nightly Fees Max RV Length Abrams Creek 16 1,125' late April $30 12' Balsam Mountain 43 5,310' $30 30' Big Creek 12 1,700' $30 tents only Cades Cove 159 1,807' open year-round $30 35–40' Cataloochee 27 2,610' TBD due to hurricane impacts $30 31' Cosby 157 2,459' late March $30 25' Deep Creek 92 1,800' late March $30 26' Elkmont 220 2,150' early March $30 32–35' Look Rock 68 2,600' late April $30–36 no limit Smokemont 142 2,198' open year-round $30 35–40' Campground TBD due to hurricane impacts TBD due to hurricane impacts 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, and Cosby open late March; Look Rock opens late April; and Heintooga opens mid-May. 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 late March) provides the only lodging in the park. Reservations required. 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 reopen in April. 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. 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 Winter 2024-25 • 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 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. 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, lower Deep Creek, and Indian Creek trails. Helmets are required by law for persons age 16 and under and strongly recommended for all. Backcountry camping 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. Cataloochee and Round Bottom camps are currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Make reservations at recreation.gov. Three concession horseback riding stables offer rides from March through November. Call for exact opening dates. • Cades Cove 865.448.9009 cadescovestables.com •S  mokemont 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 GSMNP BY THE NUMBERS The park service maintains more than 100 campsites and shelters dispersed throughout the Smokies’ backcountry trail network. Although all overnight stays require a permit and reservation at a designated campsite, the greatest challenge might be deciding where to go. See below for help as you prepare for your next adventure: 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 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. Winter hikers should be especially aware of abrupt weather changes and the danger of hypothermia—the dangerous lowering of body temperature. Always carry an ample supply of food, water, and reliable rain gear. Layer clothing that provides warmth when wet (not cotton). Be prepared for rain, snow, cold, wind, and sudden weather changes, especially at the higher elevations. Stay dry and know your limits. See page 4 for more hiking tips and trip essentials. Special events and ranger activities See page 5 for more things to do and visit go.nps.gov/GRSMcalendar for a full calendar of events. • December 14: Festival of Christmas Past, Present, and Future at Sugarlands Visitor Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. • December 14: Holiday Homecoming at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 31 69 species of mammals 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 species of salamanders bark ranger great smoky mountains national park mtns. higher 10,400+species of insects 16 than 6,000' Give the gift of the Smokies with an annual parking tag! 86A-B68 Smokies Guide Winter 2024-25 • 3 Available for purchase at visitor centers or online at SmokiesLife.org. Keep it SMOKIES SMART: S Stay hydrated M Map your hike A Always wear proper clothing/footwear R Remember your flashlight T Turn back when conditions change 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 and prepare for your hike. Call 865.436.1297, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PACK ESSENTIALS IN AN EMERGENCY • Traction support like microspikes and hiking poles • Call 911 if you can acquire a signal. • Navigation—map, compass, and knowledge of how to use them • 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. • Water and food • Extra layers • First aid kit • Headlamp or flashlight •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. • Rain gear and pack cover or waterproof bags • Emergency whistle • Sun protection with sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat FOR A LONGER HIKE YOUR CELL PHONE IS NOT • always going to have service • a light • a map • a survival kit • Repair kit with multi-tool or knife • Fire starter • Shelter—emergency tent or tarp Smokies Guide Winter 2024-25 • 4 THINGS TO DO IN THE WINTERTIME Hit the trail Celebrate the holidays with us T here are more than 800 miles of trails in the Smokies ranging from leisurely quiet walkways to challenging mountain ascents. Just be sure to come prepared with rain gear, layers, traction support, 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. Photo by Michael Hicks. Explore Smokies history V isit Cherokee, North Carolina, and immerse yourself in culture and history at the Museum of the Cherokee People, one of the longest-­ operating tribal museums in the country. Visit ­­­­­motcp.org for hours and details. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many historic structures including churches, mills, and log cabins. In Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Oconaluftee, the bareness of winter reveals hidden structures, cemeteries, and other reminders of past Smokies residents. Museum of the Cherokee People photo by Judy Baxter. Saturday, December 14 Festival of Christmas Past, Present, and Future Sugarlands Visitor Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Holiday Homecoming Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Spot winter wildlife W inter may be a quieter season in the Smokies, but it brings golden opportunities to see wildlife including white-tailed deer, elk, and winter-​ resident songbirds. As temperatures drop, several species of birds migrate to the park’s lower elevations where golden-crowned kinglets, chickadees, and nuthatches forage together in small mixed flocks. Take photos of birds and other wildlife you see and use the iNaturalist app to identify and share your observations. Remember not to feed or approach wildlife. If you see wildlife from your vehicle, continue to the nearest pull-out before attempting to view. Screech-owl photo by Fred Dunn. Some ranger-led programs may be held during winter on a day-to-day basis. For a full list, inquire at a visitor center or visit: go.nps.gov/GRSMcalendar Smokies Guide Winter 2024-25 • 5 To Knoxville To I-40 E SE R ES I SMOKY a il Kephart Prong Trail i Co ve Bi g Cre Deep Trail Twentymile Cascade Fontana La Lake Twentymile H RT ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD r Ap p al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 Mingo Falls g e R id e Big Parkw ay 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 Current/upcoming construction FOREST WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w NATIONAL Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls (see nps.gov/grsm) SYLVA NANTAHALA To Asheville Parking tag purchase locations Gravel Roads 28 276 19 23 74 143 Co v Ro e Cre ad ek e Pa ©Smokies Life 2024 Balsam Mountain ad 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 Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Trail Lake Santeetlah 129 r) 441 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA wi /Rou id g lue R ch in ga 19 Deep Creek BRYSON CITY d e nt oo PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Heintooga Ridge Rd and Heintooga/Round Bottom Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE ia NO Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail Ro Blu 441 Loop Trail il FONTANA VILLAGE Mingus Mountain Farm Museum l ty m e os t ein Smokemont Loop Trail Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Hazel Creek Trail K AR H Straight Fork Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Chasteen Creek Falls Tr at P NAL Smokemont Kuwohi Rd opens early April Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) area closed due to hurricane impacts i ch M O U N TA I N S Bone Valley Trail ac h i a n OL NA Tops Trail Middle Prong Trail Cataloochee IO N AT Newfound Gap Chimney Tops Chimney ra i Tw e n Lake Cheoah re sC ke Ja Two lanes reopening in 2025 Mt. Sterling Road / Old Cataloochee Turnpike Mount Guyot Trail Charlies Bunion Alum Cave Bluffs eT Deals Gap p Trail Andrews Bald App al Twentymile Loop Trail Wolf Ridge Trail CA TE NN CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST b er Ga Ramsey Cascades (cl wi in d 129 Calderwood Lake cu m an rk R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich n Big Creek area closed due to hurricane impacts Mouse Creek Falls Heintooga Ridge Rd . i rs Pa osed (cl ) ter wi n Cu Alum Cave Trail Kan Forge Creek Rd opens early March ad Daisy Town Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Lit tle Fern Branch Falls Kuwohi Visitor Center Thunderhead Mountain Ro 40 Bottom Rd nd . B h GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades lls ek T il ra on c ra n Elkmont re il Tra d • Open business hours (see page 2) • Accepts cash or credit/debit • Daily, weekly, and annual tags available Little des Trail sca A Porters Flat r i ll iu Tra m Gap il r ve tR Chilhowee b Traow F il a Cades Cove Parson Branch Rd opens mid-April Mount Cammerer Trail Greenbrier Grotto Falls T r Rive Meigs Falls G R E AT il Tra lls Falls Sugarlands Visitor Center Road Trail e los m s Abrams Fa Abrams Creek N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Lo w Tra Gap il a Ramsey C Ri Schoolhouse Gap Trail Fighting Creek Trail Red light #8 in Ra l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road TENNESSEE Exit 451 es M ounta i n ala 73 on Ab ra Little Brier Gap Trail Little Greenbrier Laurel School Falls Laurel Falls Heritage Center d Wears Valley 321 Townsend (c CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Hen Wallow Falls Gab Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter) GATLINBURG Tre m Look Rock Tower 73 321 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail opens late March Po r t e r s C Fo o t hi Great Smokies Welcome Center oa Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center ay Metcalf Bottoms Rich Mountain Rd opens mid-April Pittman Center Ap p Park w ls hil ll s To Chattanooga Hartford Exit 447 Cosby Fo F o ot ay rk w Pa ill Exit 443 ek Trail Cre Walland 129 411 Visitor Center For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. 321 321 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. PIGEON FORGE All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Visit go.nps.gov/smokiesconditions for current information. Some roads outside the park are closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. See back cover for more information. Trail 411 th To Newport ay 441 ek MARYVILLE o Fo w ar k s P 416 ek Tra il 129 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). 32 Cosby Forge Creek Road opens early March Little Greenbrier Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail open late March Kuwohi Road opens early April Rich Mtn. Road and Parson Branch Road open mid-April 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 Tr Parking tag purchase locations within the park ay To Knoxville To I-40 E SE R ES I SMOKY a il Kephart Prong Trail i Co ve Bi g Cre Deep Trail Twentymile Cascade Fontana La Lake Twentymile H RT ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD r Ap p al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 Mingo Falls g e R id e Big Parkw ay 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 Current/upcoming construction FOREST WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w NATIONAL Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls (see nps.gov/grsm) SYLVA NANTAHALA To Asheville Parking tag purchase locations Gravel Roads 28 276 19 23 74 143 Co v Ro e Cre ad ek e Pa ©Smokies Life 2024 Balsam Mountain ad 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 Boogerman Loop Trail Exit 20 Trail Lake Santeetlah 129 r) 441 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA wi /Rou id g lue R ch in ga 19 Deep Creek BRYSON CITY d e nt oo PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Heintooga Ridge Rd and Heintooga/Round Bottom Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE ia NO Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail Ro Blu 441 Loop Trail il FONTANA VILLAGE Mingus Mountain Farm Museum l ty m e os t ein Smokemont Loop Trail Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Hazel Creek Trail K AR H Straight Fork Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Chasteen Creek Falls Tr at P NAL Smokemont Kuwohi Rd opens early April Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) area closed due to hurricane impacts i ch M O U N TA I N S Bone Valley Trail ac h i a n OL NA Tops Trail Middle Prong Trail Cataloochee IO N AT Newfound Gap Chimney Tops Chimney ra i Tw e n Lake Cheoah re sC ke Ja Two lanes reopening in 2025 Mt. Sterling Road / Old Cataloochee Turnpike Mount Guyot Trail Charlies Bunion Alum Cave Bluffs eT Deals Gap p Trail Andrews Bald App al Twentymile Loop Trail Wolf Ridge Trail CA TE NN CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST b er Ga Ramsey Cascades (cl wi in d 129 Calderwood Lake cu m an rk R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich n Big Creek area closed due to hurricane impacts Mouse Creek Falls Heintooga Ridge Rd . i rs Pa osed (cl ) ter wi n Cu Alum Cave Trail Kan Forge Creek Rd opens early March ad Daisy Town Mount Le Conte Rainbow Falls Lit tle Fern Branch Falls Kuwohi Visitor Center Thunderhead Mountain Ro 40 Bottom Rd nd . B h GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades lls ek T il ra on c ra n Elkmont re il Tra d • Open business hours (see page 2) • Accepts cash or credit/debit • Daily, weekly, and annual tags available Little des Trail sca A Porters Flat r i ll iu Tra m Gap il r ve tR Chilhowee b Traow F il a Cades Cove Parson Branch Rd opens mid-April Mount Cammerer Trail Greenbrier Grotto Falls T r Rive Meigs Falls G R E AT il Tra lls Falls Sugarlands Visitor Center Road Trail e los m s Abrams Fa Abrams Creek N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Lo w Tra Gap il a Ramsey C Ri Schoolhouse Gap Trail Fighting Creek Trail Red light #8 in Ra l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road TENNESSEE Exit 451 es M ounta i n ala 73 on Ab ra Little Brier Gap Trail Little Greenbrier Laurel School Falls Laurel Falls Heritage Center d Wears Valley 321 Townsend (c CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Hen Wallow Falls Gab Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter) GATLINBURG Tre m Look Rock Tower 73 321 Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail opens late March Po r t e r s C Fo o t hi Great Smokies Welcome Center oa Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center ay Metcalf Bottoms Rich Mountain Rd opens mid-April Pittman Center Ap p Park w ls hil ll s To Chattanooga Hartford Exit 447 Cosby Fo F o ot ay rk w Pa ill Exit 443 ek Trail Cre Walland 129 411 Visitor Center For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. 321 321 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. PIGEON FORGE All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Visit go.nps.gov/smokiesconditions for current information. Some roads outside the park are closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. See back cover for more information. Trail 411 th To Newport ay 441 ek MARYVILLE o Fo w ar k s P 416 ek Tra il 129 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). 32 Cosby Forge Creek Road opens early March Little Greenbrier Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail open late March Kuwohi Road opens early April Rich Mtn. Road and Parson Branch Road open mid-April 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 Tr Parking tag purchase locations within the park ay Words with a Ranger Continued from page 1 have been hard times—but we have persevered. Yet, the triumphs have always outweighed the heartaches. I won’t rattle off a list of accomplishments, although there have been many— because these successes are our successes. Without the support of our cooperating partners and neighboring communities, nothing can be achieved. Together, we’ve implemented the Park It Forward program, with 100 percent of revenue staying in the park to fund new positions and needed projects. We’ve created the Forever Places endowment, which funds the restoration of historic buildings. We’ve constructed 33 new miles of the Foothills Parkway, reopened the Look Rock Campground, and completed more than $60 million of projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. And in 2020, we launched Hikes for Healing, providing a space for people to have open conversations about racism, diversity, and inclusion in a place long recognized for its incredible biodiversity. (Okay, maybe just a little bit of bragging!) It’s difficult to put into words all the great admiration and affection I feel for Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its communities and partners. It has been my honor to serve alongside an incredible staff, partners, and dedicated volunteers. I have also had the privilege of getting to know our neighbors; I am proud to call you all my friends. Because in the end, it is people that truly matter. The mountains may be majestic, and the wildlife may be captivating—but only people can give a place its heart. From the bottom of my soul, I thank you. 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. Raccoon and firewood pest illustrations by Lisa Horstman. All others by Emma Oxford. 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 photo is always a better way to remember your time in the Smokies and helps preserve the park for others too. 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 2024-25 • 8 Sources: “Hikers: Eat Bananas – but Take Your Skins Home.” theguardian.com “How Long Does Your Litter Live?” slocounty.ca.gov “‘Organic’ Litter is Not Copacetic.” hcn.org “Recycling Mysteries: Candy Wrappers.” earth911.com Even a mushy apple core can linger on the landscape for as long as two months. That’s more than enough time to draw wildlife to places they shouldn’t be. Citrus contains a natural insecticide, meaning ants won’t touch discarded orange peels. They can take six months or longer to break down. Banana peels can take around two years to completely rot—the thick skin protects the inner fruit from cold and resists decomposing quickly. Cigarette filters contain cellulose acetate, a form of plastic. These frequently littered items remain intact for five to ten years on average. Most candy wrappers (and granola bar wrappers) are made of a plastic and aluminum combo that won’t break down for ten to 20 years. A LWAYS U S E TH E R U LE O F TH U M B PLE A S E LE AV E YO U R FI R E WOO D AT H O M E Use only heat-treated or dead and down wood within the park. When viewing wildlife, hold your arm out straight. If you can’t cover Harmful pests can hitchhike into the park on your firewood, the animal in your line of sight with your thumb, you’re too close! Smokies Guide Winter 2024-25 • 9 which could kill millions of trees. the park’s nonprofit partners in helping to protect this IF YOU LOVE THE SMOKIES Join special place for future generations Smokies Life Smokies Life (formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association) brings people of all backgrounds together as advocates and stewards to honor, sustain, and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since 1953, Smokies Life has provided more than $50 million to the park. Today, the organization operates the park’s official bookstores, publishes books and other media about the Smokies, and supports the park’s educational, scientific, and historical preservation efforts. Become a Smokies Life Park Keeper today by visiting ­SmokiesLife.org or calling 888.898.9102, ext. 257. Interested in working in the park? Smokies Life is currently hiring for retail and information desk positions wi