• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Temporary Closure of Rich Mountain Road

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Date: June 5, 2012
Contact: Public Affairs, 865-436-1203

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that Rich Mountain Road off of the Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed on Monday, June 11 and Tuesday, June 12 to allow for vista clearing work. Crews will be trimming and removing vegetation from around two overlooks to restore the historically unobstructed views.

The work performed is a part of a park wide vista clearing project which is reopening the views from 34 park overlooks. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 1.

During the Rich Mountain Road closure visitors will not be able to drive the one way road from Cades Cove loop to the park boundary. The Indian Grave Gap trailhead will also be inaccessible.

Did You Know?

The park is named for the misty clouds that hang over the mountains.

The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees. On the high peaks of the Smokies, an average of 85 inches of rain falls each year, qualifying these upper elevation areas as temperate rain forests.