News Release

Additional Closures Announced Ahead of Tropical Storm Florence

Date: September 15, 2018
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 865-436-1207

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced additional closures for Saturday, September 15, related to the potentially hazardous conditions associated with what is now Tropical Storm Florence. Predictions from the National Weather Service call for strong, gusty winds and rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches moving into the park on Saturday evening, with Sunday morning seeing the worst of the storm. The higher rainfall totals are most likely for the North Carolina side of the park.  Due to the potential for hazardous conditions from downed trees, flooding, and landslides, the closures listed below will be put into effect out of concern for public safety.
 
These closures will make most park trailheads inaccessible.  Overnight backcountry use is not recommended beginning Saturday through Monday due to the potential threat of downed trees and flooded stream crossings causing rivers and trails to become hazardous.  All backcountry reservation holders are encouraged to change their itinerary or cancel their permit and receive a refund.  Refunds will be available to those who are unable to reschedule their trip for an alternative date.
 
The following park roads and facilities will remain open throughout the storm, conditions permitting: the Spur, Gatlinburg Bypass, Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands, and Newfound Gap Road from Cherokee to Smokemont.  The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers are scheduled to remain open 8 am to 6 pm each day. Park officials will continue to monitor the track of the storm closely and make changes to this schedule as necessary.
 
For up-to-date information about roads and trail closures, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm, follow the park on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS, or follow “SmokiesRoadsNPS” on Twitter.
 
NEW/UPCOMING CLOSURES: Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 8 pm (unless noted)
 
Picnic Areas
·Cades Cove, Chimneys, Collins Creek, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, Twin Creeks
 
Front Country Campgrounds
·Cades Cove,  Deep Creek, Elkmont, Smokemont
 
Horse Campgrounds
·Anthony Creek, Tow String
 
Roads
             Tennessee
·Cades Cove Loop Road
·Cherokee Orchard to Twin Creeks Road
·Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
·Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove
·Foothills Parkway West, from Look Rock to Hwy 129
·Little River Road (Sugarlands to Metcalf Bottoms entrance) – midnight Saturday
·Little River Road (Metcalf Bottoms to Townsend Wye)
·Newfound Gap Road, from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Newfound Gap
·Wear Cove Gap Road - midnight Saturday
·Tremont Road (Upper) from Tremont Institute to Middle Prong Trailhead
 
North Carolina
·Clingmans Dome Road
·Lakeview Drive
·Newfound Gap Road, from Smokemont to Newfound Gap
 
Facilities/Concession Operations
·All Cades Cove facilities
 
 
Facilities and Roads Already Closed


Picnic Areas
·Big Creek, Cosby, Greenbrier, Heintooga/Balsam Mountain
 
 
Front Country Campgrounds
·Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cataloochee, and Cosby
 

Horse Campgrounds
·Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom
 
Roads
             Tennessee
·Abrams Creek Road
·Balsam Mountain Road
·Cosby Access Road
·Foothills Parkway East
·Greenbrier Road
·Heintooga Ridge Road/Round Bottom Road/ Straight Fork Road
·Ramsey Cascade Road including Ramsey Cascade Trail
 
North Carolina
·Cataloochee Entrance Road
·NC Hwy 284
·Twentymile
 
Facilities/Concession Operations
·Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob
·Appalachian Clubhouse
·Le Conte Lodge
·Spence Cabin
 
For up-to-date information about roads and trail closures, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm, follow the park on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS, or follow “SmokiesRoadsNPS” on Twitter.