News Release

Park closed today due to hazardous conditions

Date: January 19, 2024
Contact: Katie Liming, 865-712-4928
Contact: Emily Davis, 865-440-0066

1.20.24 Update

Crews continue to clear roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park today, Saturday, January 20
Due to light snow and icy roads, Sugarlands Visitor Center will have a delayed start at 11 am. Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Deep Creek facilities are open.

Many park roads remain closed including Newfound Gap, Little River, Cherokee Orchard at park boundary, Laurel Creek, Cades Cove Loop, Upper Tremont, Foothills Parkway East & West, Wears Cove Gap, Old NC 284, Lakeview Drive, Greenbrier, Cataloochee Entrance and Tom Branch. Check the park website or park's Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) for the latest updates on road closures and reopenings.  

Please use caution on open roadways that may have lingering patches of snow and ice.

1.19.24 Update 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed today, Friday, January 19, due to hazardous weather and icy roads. 

Most park roads are closed including Newfound Gap, Little River, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cherokee Orchard at park boundary, Laurel Creek, Cades Cove Loop, Upper Tremont, Foothills Parkway East & West, Wears Cove Gap, Old NC 284, Lakeview Drive, Greenbrier, Cataloochee Entrance and Tom Branch. All park facilities, including visitor centers, are also closed today.

Park staff continue to maintain access to the Spur and to Newfound Gap Road from Cherokee to Towstring, and from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands.

Rangers and road crews will assess conditions and will determine when roads are safe to open. The park will share updates on the park website and social media. 


1.16.24 Update

Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed today due to hazardous weather conditions. Park roads are covered with ice and snow. Sub-freezing temperatures are expected throughout today. 

Most park roads are closed including Newfound Gap, Little River, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cherokee Orchard at park boundary, Laurel Creek, Cades Cove Loop, Upper Tremont, Foothills Parkway East & West, Wears Cove Gap, Old NC 284, Lakeview Drive, Greenbrier, Cataloochee Entrance and Tom Branch. All park facilities, including visitor centers, are also closed today.

Park staff continue to maintain access to the Spur and to Newfound Gap Road from Cherokee to Towstring, and from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands.

Rangers and road crews will assess conditions and will determine when roads are safe to open. The park will share updates on the park website and social media. 

1.15.24
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed today due to current hazardous weather conditions. Most park roads are closed including Newfound Gap, Little River, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cherokee Orchard at park boundary, Laurel Creek, Cades Cove Loop, Upper Tremont, Foothills Parkway East & West, Wears Cove Gap, Old NC 284, Lakeview Drive, Greenbrier, Cataloochee Entrance and Tom Branch. All park facilities, including visitor centers, are also closed today. 

Park staff will continue to maintain access to the Spur and to Newfound Gap Road from Cherokee to Towstring, and from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands. 

Rangers and road crews will assess conditions and will determine when roads are safe to open. The park will share updates on the park website and social media and will send an updated news release early tomorrow.