Some Great Smoky Mountain National Park Facilities Open Despite Government Shutdown. Beginning Sunday January 13, 2019 some basic services to visitors will reopen using revenue generated by recreational fees. Limited visitor services including restrooms and campgrounds will be available for park visitors.
The use of Federal Land and Recreation Enhancement Act funds will bring maintenance crews back to work to maintaining roads. Crews will reopen and maintain restrooms at Cades Cove campground, Smokemont Campground and the Deep Creek picnic area. Crews will also be dispatched to clear and reopen Litlle River Road between Metcalf Bottoms and the Townsend Wye. The Section of road has been closed for over two weeks due to reported downed trees and a rock slide. The restrooms at Newfound Gap and Cades Cove will remain open after emergency funds provided by Friends of the Smokies are depleted. The Great Smoky Mountain Association is also donating services to reopen the Cable Mill Visitor Center in Cades Cove. Thanks to a preexisting contract prior to the shutdown the dumpsters will continue to emptied. Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitors Centers will remain closed.
“We greatly appreciate the generous contributions of park partners who have provided funding to staff visitor centers over the holidays and keep bathrooms at Newfound Gap and Cable Mill open during the lapse in appropriations,” said Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Their efforts have contributed significantly to our ability to restore access and basic services to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
Priorities will be set to keep seasonal roads and trails open to the public. Downed trees, rock slides and snow plowing will continue on more heavily traveled roads including The Spur, Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, Laurel Road and the Cades Cove loop. Other roads, if closed due to weather and natural events, may remain closed until the park is fully staffed or may take longer than normal time to reopen.
Park webcam footage will remain accessible but social media accounts and updated information will be suspended until the shutdown ends. The majority of park employees including rangers and staff continue to be laid off with no pay.
For updates on how the shutdown affects the park stay tuned to HeySmokies.com and the the official government shutdown site.
Smoky Mountain Aero Club. Since 1936 Radio controlled model airplanes have been cruising the skies at local airfields across the country. M[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Lakeview Drive Opens. GSMNP is rehabilitating Lakeview Drive in North Carolina through Great American Outdoor Act funding. L[Read More >>]
Cades Cove Loop Lope
Cades Cove Loop Lope will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 11 a.m. The park’s philanthropic partner, Friends of the[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Veterans Day Free Parking! In honor of Veterans Day, visitors to Great Smoky Mountains will not be required to display or bu[Read More >>]
Gatlinburg Winter Magic And Chili Cookoff. Join us for the kickoff of Gatlinburg's Winter Magic at the 34th Chili Cookoff presented by Bush[Read More >>]
Volunteers Needed For Fontana Lake Clean Up. Volunteers are needed Friday, November 3, 2023 through Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 9 a.m. to[Read More >>]
National Park Hosts Tour Of Historic Daisy Town. Rangers and volunteers invite the public to Daisy Town Day in the Elkmont Historic Distric[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Ghost Stories. The Smoky Mountain region is steeped in strange and unexplainable occurrences that some say are supernatural. We h[Read More >>]
Don't miss this years Craftmen's Fair
Gatlinburg Craftmen's Fair will be held October 5, 2023 thru October 22, 2023 daily from 10 am to 7 [Read More >>]
… feeling great at SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTER!
The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must stop for any visit to the Great Smoky Mountains! Entrance [Read More >>]
Little River Trail Closure. Great Smoky Mountains National Park trail crews will be repairing Little River Trail Monday, September 11, 2023[Read More >>]
Love is in the air for Smoky Mountain Elk.
Smoky Mountain Elk Rut is on. The call of the wild echoes in the Smokies as Bull Elks seek mates.[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Look Rock tower closed. The popular observation tower and access trail at Look Rock, located on the Foothills Parkway, will [Read More >>]
You will love HeySmokies' delicious tomato pie!
Smoky Mountain Tomato Pie recipe is a favorite with the HeySmokies.com culinary crew. This s[Read More >>]
Trail volunteers needed in the Great Smoky Mountains
Smoky Mountains Need You! Volunteers are needed for Ramsey Cascades and Little Cataloo[Read More >>]
Cades Cove car ban is under way.
Cades Cove Car Ban began May 4, 2023 and lasts through September 28, 2023. Cove visitors are encouraged to[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain synchronous fireflies are amazing!
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2023. These aren’t your average backya[Read More >>]
The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for those who are looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten path and awa[Read More >>]
10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. Packing the 10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is like your insurance [Read More >>]
Tick Safety Tips! Ticks and what you need to know to stay safe! It is that time of year in the Smoky Mountains. Summertime and outdoor activitie[Read More >>]