Great Smoky MountainsTennessee

America’s Most Visited National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

More than 11 million people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2016, a record number and more than twice the number that typically visit the Grand Canyon (the second most popular park). Highlights include the hiking trails, waterfalls and tremendous views from Clingmans Dome and the rest of the mountain peaks in the area.

Open / Close / Reopening Status of Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Great Smoky Mountains has announced a phased reopening beginning May 9th. Many roads and trails are expected to reopen. Roads identified for reopening include Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road.

Park managers will examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. Campgrounds, picnic pavilions, visitor centers, and many secondary roads will remain closed during the first reopening phase, which is expected to last for at least two weeks.

The park initially announced a two-week closure following the state of Tennessee decisions to close businesses and urge people to stay home. It applied to most areas of the park including a section of 441 which cuts through the park from the southern edge of Gatlinburg to North Carolina. Only Foothills Parkway a stretch of U.S. Highway 441 known as the Spur that serves as the main road connecting Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge are open. On March 22nd, it announced that campgrounds, picnic areas, and restrooms will be closed beginning on Monday, March 23.

The park has cancelled the synchronous firefly viewing event at Elkmont which happens annually in late May or early June. The area is not big enough to support social distancing with an estimated 1000 people each night.

More information about Great Smoky Mountains

Last Updated: May 2, 2020