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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Seasonal Facility Schedule

Campgrounds
Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds remain open year-round. The park's eight other campgrounds and five horse camps close seasonally. Backcountry (backpacking) campsites are open year-round.
Family Campground schedule
Group Campground schedule
Horse Camp schedule

Picnic Areas
Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier and Metcalf Bottoms picnic areas are open year-round. The park's remaining picnic areas close seasonally. Picnic Area schedule

Roads
Primary roads such as Little River Road, Newfound Gap Road (US-441), and Cades Cove Loop Road remain open year-round, weather permitting. Secondary roads close seasonally.
Seasonal Road schedule
Temporary Road and Facilities Closures (usually weather or construction related)

Visitor Centers
Visitor Centers in the park are open year-round, except Christmas Day. Daily operating hours for visitor centers

Did You Know?

Fontana Lake is formed by Fontana Dam.

At 480 feet, Fontana Dam, located on the southwestern boundary of the park, is the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains. The dam impounds the Little Tennessee River forming Fontana Lake and produces hydroelectric power.