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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Operating Hours & Seasons

Cable Mill in Cades Cove

Cable Mill in Cades Cove is open from mid-March through late November.

Samuel Hobbs Photo courtesy of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However some secondary roads, campgrounds, and other visitor facilities close in winter. Please visit the following pages for information about seasonal opening and closing dates for:

Roads
Campgrounds
Picnic Areas
Visitor Centers
Historic Grist Mills
All roads and facilities are subject to temporary closures due to weather and construction. For updated information about closures, please call (865) 436-1200.
 

Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.

  • Download Park Maps Download Park Maps

    Maps of trails and campgrounds as well as general park maps are available. Read More

  • Elk Elk

    Elk were reintroduced to the park in 2001. Read More

Did You Know?

Visitors can often spot bears in trees at the edges of forests.

Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the park. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley.