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Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe park is home to a wondrous diversity of life.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Temporary Road and Facilities Closures
 
Road Closed sign
 

Huky 1, 2009

Weather-related road and facility closures may change throughout the day. For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast. You may wish to write this number down when traveling to the area for handy reference for road and weather updates. This webpage is updated 2-3 times a week. For the most current report, please call the number listed above.



Roads and Facilities

Seasonal Closures
For information about seasonal closures during the winter months, please see:
Seasonal Road Closures 
Seasonal Facility Closures

Temporary Closures
• Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May 6 - Sept. 23 to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy the cove.

Road Construction
• US-441 (Newfound Gap Road) repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 16, 2009 through September 2010. Additional information
 


Backcountry Facilities

For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1231. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.

Bear Warnings - areas where bears are active. Please read What Do I Do If I See A Bear?  for important safety information about bears.
• Backcountry Campsites 6, 21, 24, 29, 35, 36, 37
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Icewater Spring Shelter
• Mt Collins Shelter
• Mt Le Conte Shelter
• Pecks Corner Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter
• Abrams Falls Trail
• Crooked Arm Ridge Trail (lower portion)
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Little River Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls area)

Campsites Closed
• Backcountry Campsites 10, 15, 40, and 93
• Russell Field Shelter

Trail Cautions
Please note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry. 
• The footlog bridge across Forney Creek to access backcountry camp site #70 from Forney Creek Trail has washed out. 
• Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek when lake levels are low are from the Ollie Cove Trailhead on the Hazel Creek embayment. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Ollie Cove Trail is new and therefore not yet on the trail map. New trail signs are in place to direct you from the Hazel Creek Trail and Lakeshore Trail intersection to Ollie Cove Trail that is one mile east on Lakeshore Trail from Hazel Creek.

Water Problems
• None

Cave and Mine Shaft Closure
Entry into all caves and mine shafts is prohibited due to concerns about the spread of white nose disease among bats. Additional information

Click to access maps of the national park
Download Park Maps
Maps of trails and campgrounds as well as general park maps are available.
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Download a Smokies Trip Planner
Download a Smokies Trip Planner
Information about favorite destinations, popular activities, and a park map
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Weather Forecasts
Weather Forecast
Current weather forecasts are available by phone and online.
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Fishing
Fishing in the Park
The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences for fishermen.
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Fontana Lake is formed by Fontana Dam.  

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: July 01, 2009 at 14:56 EST