Fall 2025

Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior SMOKIES GUIDE The Official Newspaper of the Smokies • Fall 2025 lis Pr es t Both sections of the Foothills Parkway—east (accessed near Cosby, Tennessee, and pictured above) and west (accessed near Walland or Wears Valley, Tennessee)—offer views of dazzling fall colors. Photo courtesy of Smokies Life archives. ia cr Cha , ib e d D unehew pec S d Fi r e an d Fu e l s Words with a Ranger Greetings! I serve as the prescribed fire and fuels specialist for the Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Fire Management Zone, working within Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Fire and Aviation Management Division. As a child growing up in Kentucky, I had the opportunity to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park multiple times—on family vacations, school trips, and weekend getaways. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong appreciation for the majesty of our public lands and the mission of the National Park Service. Today, I am honored to help protect this iconic landscape, its rich cultural heritage, and the millions of visitors who come here each year. My role centers around managing hazardous fuels—natural vegetation that, if left unmanaged, could increase Continued on page 12 Preparing for Fire Season in the Great Smokies What to expect this fall F ire is a natural and essential part of the Smokies landscape, playing a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. It recycles nutrients into the soil, promotes new vegetation growth, and reduces the severity of future fires by preventing hazardous fuels from building up. However, wildfires can also present serious risks—particularly when dry, windy conditions or proximity to developed areas increase the likelihood of rapid spread. As fall approaches, fire managers are closely monitoring wildfire conditions. Forecasts for the upcoming fall season indicate an above-average potential for wildfire activity. Fall leaf litter, combined with low humidity and gusty winds, can elevate fire danger. Great Smoky Mountains National Park maintains a dedicated fire staff that includes a wildland fire module, a Type 6 engine crew, a fuels module, a OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA fire effects crew, and fire management officials. Fires in the park are managed using a variety of strategies, including full suppression, containment within a defined perimeter, or a combination of tactics to ensure human safety while also protecting the park’s diverse natural resources. To stay safe, both residents and visitors should stay vigilant during the fall fire season. Follow all posted fire restrictions, ensure campfires are fully extinguished, and avoid open flames during periods of high fire danger. People with respiratory conditions should monitor air quality alerts and limit outdoor exposure when smoke is present. Smoke from wildfires or prescribed burns may be visible—or not—but can still travel long distances. Stay informed through local alerts as well as park fire conditions at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.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 open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sept.) Kuwohi: open 9:30 a.m.– 6 p.m. Sept.– Oct.; 9:30 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 through September 24. • Heintooga/Round Bottom Road (Balsam Mountain Road) and Straight Fork Road are closed due to hurricane impacts. • Newfound Gap Road is closed from Sugarlands to Newfound Gap due to a landslide. • Many secondary and high-­ elevation roads close in late fall. Dates are listed on pages 8–9. • Click “Alerts” at nps.gov/grsm for all current closures. Shuttle services Local shuttle services offer convenient transportation to and from the park’s most iconic destinations. Please consider a shuttle when hiking in the Roaring Fork area. Higher use is expected there during the closure on Newfound Gap Road. Visit go.nps.gov/grsmshuttles. 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. 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 available only at Look Rock Campground (ten campsites include electric and water hookups). Circuits for special medical uses are offered 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 permitted only 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. 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; and Chimneys closes December 1. Picnic pavilions may be reserved for a fee at recreation.gov. Accommodations No. of Sites Elevation Expected Open Dates 2025 Nightly Fees Max RV Length Abrams Creek 16 1,125' 5/19–10/26 $30 12' Balsam Mountain 43 5,310' 5/23–10/13 $30 30' Big Creek 12 1,700' 5/19–10/26 $30 tents only Cades Cove 159 1,807' open year-round $30 35–40' 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. Cataloochee 27 2,610' 5/5–10/26 $30 31' Event reservations Cosby 157 2,459' 5/19–10/26 $30 25' Deep Creek 92 1,800' 4/18–10/26 $30 26' Elkmont 220 2,150' 3/15–11/30 $30 32–35' Look Rock 69 2,600' 5/19–10/26 $30–36 no limit Smokemont 142 2,198' open year-round $30 35–40' Campground LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail only, closes November 15) provides the only lodging in the park. Reservations required. 865.429.5704, lecontelodge.com Services 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. 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 Holly Kays Designer Emma Oxford Editorial support Jennifer Fulford Valerie Polk Design support Karen Key Miranda Bemis Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 2 NPS coordinators Stephanie Kyriazis Stephanie Sutton ©2025 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 through September 24. Bikes may be rented at the Cades Cove ­Campground Store 9 a.m.–4 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. The Anthony Creek, Cataloochee, and Tow String horse camps are open. Camps at Big Creek and Round Bottom remain closed due to storm damage. Visit recreation.gov for availability. Three concession horseback riding stables offer rides from March through November. • 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 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 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 GSMNP BY THE NUMBERS 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 by phone or in person through the Backcountry Office at Sugarlands Visitor Center 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 higher elevations) is extremely dangerous. See page 11 for more hiking tips and trip essentials. Special events and ranger activities See pages 4–7 for special events and ranger activities, inquire at visitor centers, 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 70 of mammals 10,500+of insects 16 than 6,000' Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 3 Download the free NPS App for interactive maps, tours, and more! RANGER ACTIVITIES Event schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. More programs listed on pages 6–7. For a full list, inquire at a visitor center or visit: go.nps.gov/grsmcalendar Interpretive Ranger Cody Boettner leads a 2024 program at Deep Creek. Photo by Holly Kays. NORTH DISTRICT (near Gatlinburg, TN) PROGRAMS RUN THROUGH OCT 31 MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Sugarlands Visitor Center patio 1 hour Thursday, Saturday Sugarlands Visitor Center patio 1 hour Sunday, Tuesday, Friday Sugarlands Visitor Center patio 1 hour Little Greenbrier School 1.5 hours Monday, Thursday Sugarlands Visitor Center patio 1 hour Tuesday, Friday Jakes Creek parking area (Elkmont) 1 hour Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area 1.5 hours WHEN? Monday, Wednesday 11 a.m. Bear With Us!: Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park­—black bears! *no program September 10 Saturday 1 p.m. Junior Ranger Ramble: Join a ranger for a walk, talk, or guided activity to learn more about natural and cultural history and become a steward of the park. Topics vary daily. Check Sugarlands Visitor Center for more information. Vital Signs of the Smokies: Join a ranger for a walk or talk about the Smokies’ “vital signs,” observations that can help us better understand the challenges this fragile ecosystem faces and appreciate the beauty around us. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Walker Sisters Hike: Take a walk through the woods to the Walker Sisters Cabin, learning about the communities, religion, education, and “modern” conveniences of the folks who once lived in these mountains. *no program September 10 Hiking 101: Hear from a ranger about tips, skills, and basics to help you experience the joys of hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wednesday 11 a.m. 1 p.m. History of Daisy Town: Visit the popular Non-Ghost Town of the Smokies and learn about the community of Daisy Town before the Smokies became a park. Stream Splashers: Embark on a hands-on splash in the water with a ranger to learn about the health and history of our Smokies streams. Water shoes recommended. Participation limited to 25. Weather-dependent. 11 a.m. Thursday, September 4 Thursday, September 18 Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 4 11 a.m. SOUTH DISTRICT (near Cherokee, NC) PROGRAMS RUN THROUGH OCT. 31 Wild about the Smokies: Get the inside scoop on where to spot wildlife like bears and elk—and how to do it safely. Discover why scientists study mammals, birds, amphibians, and other species living in the park. Down on the Farm: Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Rangers and living history demonstrators will showcase skills like blacksmithing, fence-making, and hearth cooking on which families once depended to make their living in the Smokies. Program topic varies. Check Oconaluftee Visitor Center for more information. Kuwohi Guided Hike: Walk through a unique spruce-fir forest on the Smokies’ tallest mountain and discover all this park has to offer. A ranger will guide this 1.5-mile hike leading to the majestic views atop Kuwohi Observation Tower. MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch 30 minutes Mountain Farm Museum Drop in Kuwohi parking area 1.5 hours WHEN? Daily 3 p.m. Monday to Friday Drop in, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday, Thursday 11 a.m. Stream Splashers: Get ready for a splashing good time discovering the magic of local streams, learning about aquatic life, and connecting with the environment. Water shoes recommended. Saturday 2 p.m. Smokemont Campground Nature Trailhead 1.5 hours Evening Program: Grab your chair or blanket and gather at the grassy area between C and D loop at Smokemont Campground for an unforgettable evening program featuring the ranger’s favorite Smokies topic. Saturday (first week of the month) Smokemont Campground 1 hour 7 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 Drop into History: Watch (and possibly try) historic demonstrations related to life in Cades Cove. Offerings vary from day to day but may include blacksmithing, music, quilting, storytelling, doll-making, or weaving. 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. *no program September 27 due to Stargazing Party (see page 6) MEETING LOCATION DURATION/ ACCESSIBILITY Cable Mill Historic Area Drop in Cades Cove Orientation Shelter Drop in John Oliver Cabin Drop in Sparks Lane water crossing 1.5 hours Cable Mill Historic Area Drop in Thursday, Friday Cable Mill Historic Area, program circle 45 minutes–1 hour (talk or activity) Saturday Cades Cove Campground Ampitheater 1.5 hours Cades Cove Orientation Shelter 1.5 hours WHEN? Sunday, Tuesday, Saturday Drop in, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday Drop in, 1–3 p.m. Cove Life: Step into the past and learn more about what it was like to live in the Cades Cove community by exploring the cabin where the cove’s first permanent European settlers lived. Tuesday, Thursday Autumn Ramble: Stroll through a Cades Cove meadow to learn about seasonal changes in the Smokies. Tuesday, Thursday Milling Around: Visit the historic buildings in the mill area to learn how residents used innovative technology to make life in Cades Cove more comfortable and efficient. Wild Things: Bring the whole family for an interactive experience to learn about some of the creatures that call Cades Cove home. Some programs ADA-accessible. Check visitor center for more information. Drop in, 9–11 a.m. 2–3:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday Drop in, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 1 p.m. Evening Program: Gather in the amphitheater for an engaging program on a ranger’s favorite Smokies topic. *no program September 27 due to Stargazing Party (see page 6) The Cove After Dark: Take an evening walk with a ranger to experience the sights and sounds of Cades Cove at night. If the clouds cooperate, we’ll even peek at the stars. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 12 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 26 Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 5 7:30 p.m. THINGS TO DO I N T H E F A L L Enjoy elk—safely! T here are few experiences more awe-inspiring than watching a herd of elk during the fall mating season, called the rut. Males show off by clashing their racks together or letting loose with a loud, haunting bugle as they compete for females. Though native to the Smokies, elk were absent for more than 200 years due to overhunting and reintroduced in 2001. Safety is important when watching these amazing creatures—males can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Always stay at least 25 yards away, and be aware that some situations may call for more distance. If the animal is reacting to your presence, you’re too close. Leave a barrier like a car or tree between you where possible, and retreat if it approaches you. Never block an animal’s escape route, and don’t park or otherwise behave in such a way that you create a hazardous situation for other park visitors. Photo by wildexxposure/iNaturalist. Festivals offer autumn adventures F all is festival time in the Smokies! Stargaze with rangers, partake in the traditions of Appalachian harvest time, and see what life was like in the historic summer community of Daisy Town with weekend events you won’t want to miss. FALL SPECIAL EVENTS Cades Cove Sorghum-Making Demonstrations: Learn all about how this Smoky Mountain staple was grown, harvested, and preserved with these live demonstrations. Mountain Life Festival: Come on down to the Mountain Farm Museum for a glimpse into the past, featuring interactive cultural demonstrations and live music. Sorghum molasses processing and blacksmithing were important parts of rural family life in these Southern mountains, and the festival will celebrate these and other autumn traditions. Stargazing Party: Join rangers and local astronomy club members to see stars and learn about the night sky. The experience will include about a half mile of walking, and participants should bring a red flashlight, binoculars, water, snacks, warm layers, and a picnic blanket or chair. The event will be canceled if the sky is cloudy. Daisy Town Days: Explore Daisy Town, a community within the historic Elkmont district, and celebrate those who lived, worked, and played in the Smokies before the park’s creation. WHEN? Sept. 19, 20, 21 Nov. 13, 14, 15, 16 Nov. 21, 22, 23 10 a.m.–5 p.m. September 20 10 a.m.–4 p.m. September 27 Sunset November 8 10 a.m.–2 p.m. MEETING LOCATION Cable Mill Historic Area at Cades Cove Mountain Farm Museum at Oconaluftee Visitor Center Cades Cove Orientation Shelter Jakes Creek parking area in Elkmont Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 6 Old-fashioned toy making on display at the Mountain Life Festival. Photo by Kristine Brunsman. Adaptive programs make Smokies trails more accessible A dventure awaits all visitors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, regardless of ability or accessibility needs. Through a partnership with Catalyst Sports, the park will offer three ranger-led adaptive excursions this fall, with a free wheelchair checkout program allowing visitors to explore the park on their own schedule through the end of September. Registration is required for ranger-led programs to ensure adequate availability of volunteers and equipment, and group size is limited. Registered participants may also bring their own adaptive equipment. Planned programs are shown in the table below. GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for checkout at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis Sunday through Wednesday at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg or by reservation three to 30 business days in advance. These offroad-capable wheelchairs are designed to navigate uneven terrain, including rocks, roots, and unpaved hiking trails. Adult and child-sized chairs are available for people with core body strength and head control. Weight is limited to 250 pounds or less. To ensure safety, a park volunteer, friend, or family member must accompany chair users. To learn more about adaptive programs and chair rentals, or to register, visit CatalystSports.org/great-smoky-mountain-adaptive-hike-bike. FALL 2025 ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS WHEN? MEETING LOCATION Mountain biking September 10 Cades Cove maintenance area Backcountry camping October 4-5 Abrams Creek Campground Hiking October 25 Big Creek Picnic Area A park visitor using an adaptive mountain bike near Deep Creek. Photo by NPS. ASL programs expand the Smokies experience T his fall, rangers, professional American Sign Language interpreters, and ASL students will present six programs throughout the park. No reservations are required for these family-friendly programs. FALL 2025 ASL RANGER PROGRAMS Bear Aware (Drop in) Cove After Dark Walk History of Daisy Town Vital Signs Down on the Farm (Drop in) Two rangers signing the word ‘mountain’ in ASL. Photo by Sheree Varnes. Wild About the Smokies Smokies Guide Fall 2025 • 7 WHEN? MEETING LOCATION September 12 Cades Cove Orientation Shelter September 12 Cades Cove Orientation Shelter October 7 Jakes Creek parking area October 7 Newfound Gap Overlook November 7 Mountain Farm Museum November 7 Oconaluftee Visitor Center 1–3 p.m. 8 p.m. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 3 p.m. To Knoxville To I-40 wi in b er Ga OL I NA a il Co ve ek Bi g Trail Fontana La Lake Twentymile H RT NO Ap p al a vie wD r Swain County Visitor Center Heintooga/Round Bottom Rd. (Balsam Mountain Rd.) closed due to hurricane impacts Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls 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) 441 Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. SYLVA 143 28 FOREST WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads Gravel Roads NATIONAL Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls 23 74 NANTAHALA To Asheville 19 19 74 Exit 20 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w ©Smokies Life 2025 w e Pa Lake Santeetlah 129 in Co v Ro e Cre ad ek r) Trail JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA d ad Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE Deep Creek BRYSON CITY 28 ch ke Juney Whank Falls Trail e os te in PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee ga / Rd. ntoo Hei Bottomain Rd.) d n unt Rouam Mo ls (Ba id g lue R FONTANA VILLAGE Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail Big i ch hi Ku w Deep App al l Twentymile Cascade Ro g e R id Blu 441 Loop Trail K AR Smokemont Loop Trail Mingus Hazel Creek Trail ra i ty m i Mountain Farm Museum eT Tw e n Chasteen Creek Falls Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail il CA TE Wolf Ridge Trail Lake Cheoah EE R S ES Twentymile Loop Trail Deals Gap at AL Smokemont Andrews Bald ac h i a n 129 CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST ad o P Straight Fork Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Kuwohi er) int in w Calderwood Lake Kephart Prong Trail N AT I O Cre ad N n For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. Ro Newfound Gap ia Parking tags are available outside the park at Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend, Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Swain County Visitor Center in Bryson City, and select area businesses. ch Thunderhead Mountain Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays June 18– September 24. Trail ala Newfound Gap Road Chimney Tops Chimney closed from Sugarlands to Tops Newfound Gap due to rockslide Trail M O U N TA I N S an Charlies Bunion Kan Trail rs Pa osed (cl NN Located at Sugarlands, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, and Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). on n B ra Alum Cave Bluffs p Trail Fern Branch Falls Heintooga Ridge Rd . Chilhowee • Open business hours (see page 2) • Accepts cash or credit/debit • Daily, weekly, and annual tags available Alum Cave Trail Kuwohi Visitor Center Cades Cove Rainbow Falls Big Creek I-40 lane closures in effect (cl Ja re sC ke cu m ive Mount Le Conte ek T Ap p R n n t e r) un t ai Mo d Cu eR re Mouse Creek Falls Mount Guyot Rd . SMOKY Lit tl lls Ramsey Cascades rk Middle Prong Trail Daisy Town r i ll iu Tra m Gap il Tr ll s t hi Fo o d Rich Elkmont Cades Cove Visitor Center Visitor Center 40 Old NC 284 closed from Cataloochee Creek to Cataloochee Valley il ra b Traow F il a Little GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades G R E AT il Tra lls Falls r Rive Meigs Falls tR m s Abrams Fa Abrams Creek es M ou Porters Flat Grotto Falls T Road Trail se Sugarlands Visitor Center des Trail sca NA nta i n Lo w Tra Gap il a Ramsey C il ra rT Schoolhouse Gap Trail Fighting Creek Trail Red light #8 in Ra l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road NOR TH CAROL I Mount Cammerer Trail Greenbrier Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed in winter) TENNESSEE Exit 451 Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Po r t e r s C 73 on Ab ra Little Brier Gap Trail Little Greenbrier Laurel School Falls Laurel Falls Heritage Center ad Valley 321 Townsend (clo 73 321 rk Pa ls hil Great Smokies Welcome Center Look Rock Tower Pittman Center Laurel Falls Trail closed for construction GATLINBURG through fall 2026 Wears y rk wa Metcalf Bottoms o Exit 447 Cosby Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center Tre m 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. CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Tr 321 ek Tra il F o ot Hartford ek Trail Cre Walland ay rk w Pa Exit 443 32 PIGEON FORGE 321 To Chattanooga To Newport ay 441 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Visit nps.gov/grsm/alerts for the most up-to-date information. 129 411 th ill w ar k s P 416 Fo 411 o Fo Cosby Ro 129 MARYVILLE 32 Heintooga Ridge Road closes October 31 Rich Mountain Road and Parson Branch Road close November 10 Kuwohi Road, Little Greenbrier Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close November 30 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 S tra ig h t Fo Parking tag purchase locations within the park ay To Knoxville To I-40 wi in b er Ga OL I NA a il Co ve ek Bi g Trail Fontana La Lake Twentymile H RT NO Ap p al a vie wD r Swain County Visitor Center Heintooga/Round Bottom Rd. (Balsam Mountain Rd.) closed due to hurricane impacts Balsam Mountain Mingo Falls 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) 441 Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. SYLVA 143 28 FOREST WAYNESVILLE Restrooms Picnic Areas Camping Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads Gravel Roads NATIONAL Dellwood (see left column) Soco Falls 23 74 NANTAHALA To Asheville 19 19 74 Exit 20 441 23 Select Trails Closed Roads B rk w ©Smokies Life 2025 w e Pa Lake Santeetlah 129 in Co v Ro e Cre ad ek r) Trail JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA d ad Oconaluftee River Trail CHEROKEE Deep Creek BRYSON CITY 28 ch ke Juney Whank Falls Trail e os te in PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee ga / Rd. ntoo Hei Bottomain Rd.) d n unt Rouam Mo ls (Ba id g lue R FONTANA VILLAGE Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail Big i ch hi Ku w Deep App al l Twentymile Cascade Ro g e R id Blu 441 Loop Trail K AR Smokemont Loop Trail Mingus Hazel Creek Trail ra i ty m i Mountain Farm Museum eT Tw e n Chasteen Creek Falls Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail il CA TE Wolf Ridge Trail Lake Cheoah EE R S ES Twentymile Loop Trail Deals Gap at AL Smokemont Andrews Bald ac h i a n 129 CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST ad o P Straight Fork Rd closed due to hurricane impacts Kuwohi er) int in w Calderwood Lake Kephart Prong Trail N AT I O Cre ad N n For all purchase locations, see go.nps.gov/grsmfees. Ro Newfound Gap ia Parking tags are available outside the park at Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend, Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Swain County Visitor Center in Bryson City, and select area businesses. ch Thunderhead Mountain Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays June 18– September 24. Trail ala Newfound Gap Road Chimney Tops Chimney closed from Sugarlands to Tops Newfound Gap due to rockslide Trai