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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Seasonal Road Schedule

Primary roads such as US-441 (Newfound Gap Road), Little River Road, and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open year round, weather permitting. Click for information about temporary weather and construction related road closures of these roads.

Secondary roads are subject to seasonal closures. Seasonal opening and closing dates for secondary roads are listed below:

• Balsam Mountain Road
This road will be closed during 2013.

• Cades Cove Loop Road
This road is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. from May 8 through September 25, 2013 to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the cove. Otherwise the road is open daily from sunrise until sunset, weather permitting.

• Clingmans Dome Road
Open April 1 - November 30, 2013.

• Forge Creek Road
Subject to closure from December through mid-April due to mud.

• Heintooga Ridge Road
This road will be closed during 2013.

• Little Greenbrier Road
Open April 12- December 31, 2013.
Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this road.

• Parson Branch Road
Open April 11 - Novmeber 17, 2013.
Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this one-way, gravel road.
Please note: When Forge Creek Road is closed due to mud, Parson Branch Road is not accessible to motor vehicles.

• Rich Mountain Road
Open March 22 - November 17, 2013.
Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this one-way road.

• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Open April 12- November 30, 2013.
Buses, RVs and motorhomes are prohibited on this one-way road.

• Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road
Open April 1- November 11, 2013.

  • Auto Touring Auto Touring

    Auto Touring is a popular way to explore the park. Read More

  • Weather Forecast Weather Forecast

    Current weather forecasts are available by phone and online. Read More

  • Download a Smokies Trip Planner Download a Smokies Trip Planner

    Information about favorite destinations, popular activities, and a park map Read More

  • Download Park Maps Download Park Maps

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

Did You Know?

Scientists estimate that 100,000 different species live in the park.

What lives in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Although the question sounds simple, it is actually extremely complex. Right now scientists think that we only know about 17 percent of the plants and animals that live in the park, or about 17,000 species of a probable 100,000 different organisms.