The following park roads and facilities opened Saturday, May 9. Hikers should plan ahead to choose routes with accessible trailheads for parking.
Open Roads: Newfound Gap Road Little River Road Cherokee Orchard Road Laurel Creek Road Cades Cove Loop Road (During this phase, the road will open daily at 8:00 a.m. and there will not be any closures for bicycles only.) Lakeview Drive Road Deep Creek Road Gatlinburg Bypass Wear Cove Road
Open Restrooms: Restrooms at Newfound Gap Restrooms at Sugarlands Visitor Center Restrooms at Oconaluftee Visitor Center Restrooms near Cable Mill in Cades Cove Restrooms at Abram Falls Trailhead Restrooms at Rainbow Falls Trailhead Restrooms at open picnic areas
Open Picnic Areas: Chimney Tops Picnic Area Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area (pavilion closed) Collins Creek Picnic Area (pavilion closed) Deep Creek Picnic Area (pavilion closed) Cades Cove Picnic Area
Backcountry Operations: Laurel Falls Trail Closed Alum Cave Trail Closed Chimney Tops Trail Closed Clingmans Dome Tower Closed All other trails and backcountry campsites & shelters are open with reduced capacity limits. Many trailheads will not be accessible due to road access. Backcountry Permits can be obtained beginning May 9. AT thru-hiker Permits will not be issued
Visitor Centers and Campgrounds remain closed.
The following roads remain closed for motorists but will be open for pedestrians and cyclists: Clingmans Dome Road, Elkmont Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Tremont Road, Greenbrier Road, Cosby Road, Big Creek Road, Hwy 284, Cataloochee Road, Abrams Creek Road, Forge Creek Road, Rich Mountain Road, Little Greenbrier Road, Balsam Mountain Road, Heintooga Round Bottom Road, Straight Fork Road, Twentymile Road.
Special Park Use Permits are limited to small groups, up to 10 people, at outdoor locations only for up to 30 minutes.
Inclement weather is expected at higher elevations on Friday evening which could result in a delayed opening for Newfound Gap Road due to ice or snow. Follow SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter for information on weather-related closures and openings for main park roads.
For the most up to date information about facility openings, service hours, and access, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. Park rangers remain available to answer questions and help with trip planning via email or phone during business hours at (865) 436-1291, (828) 506-8620, or GRSM_Smokies_Information@nps.gov.
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