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In Episode 016 – Smoky Mountains Area Reopening, join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities in the aftermath of the COVID virus. Learn about the current status of attractions, hiking trails, dining, shopping and road closures. Plus, up to date information regarding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Let’s take a look at the park. It can be quite confusing as to what is open and what is closed. Let’s touch on what is still closed first.
Closed:
All the visitor’s centers – Closed
Campgrounds – Closed
Clingman’s Dome – Closed
Trails Closed:
Laurel Falls Trail – Closed
Alum Cave Trail – Closed
Chimney Tops Trail- Closed
Why are those three mentioned specifically? It’s because they are on major roadways that are now open. Little River Road & Newfound Gap Rd.
All other trails and backcountry campsites & shelters (accessible from open roads) will open with reduced capacity limits
The only open roads are:
Spur and Foothills Parkway
Newfound Gap Road
Gatlinburg Bypass
Little River Road
Wear Cove Road (Metcalf Bottoms)
Laurel Creek Road
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cherokee Orchard Road (Historic Nature Trail)
Lakeview Drive Road* -Down near Bryson City
Deep Creek Road and Trailheads* – Down near Bryson City
Picnic Areas that are Open:
Chimney Tops
Cades Cove
Metcalf Bottoms – Pavilion Closed
Deep Creek– Pavilion Closed*
Collins Creek– Pavilion Closed* – Smokemont Area
Open Restrooms:
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Newfound Gap
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Cades Cove Cable Mill
Abram Falls Trailhead
Rainbow Falls Trailhead
Restrooms in the listed open picnic areas.
For up to date park information regarding the Smoky Mountains Area Reopening please visit the GSMNP website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
For information regarding businesses in the Smoky Mountains Area Reopening please visit: https://www.pigeonforge.com/coronavirus-updates
I’m going to be doing podcast updates every Thursday from this point on. I apologize if I got some things wrong here on this current podcast but there is a lot of information to sift through and not every business is updating their websites or Facebook pages.
Are you planning a visit to the Smokies and are wondering how to fit it all in? Check out our sample itineraries: https://dancingbearfoot.blog/2018/08/30/smoky-mountains-vacation-itinerary-day-1/
If this is your fist time coming to the Smokies and renting a cabin check out out blog post in what to look for when renting a log cabin.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more about our cabin or other great things to see while visiting the Smoky Mountains please visit us at Dancing Bearfoot.com.
Like our Pizza Bear? Check out the other great artwork from Kenton Visser https://www.kentonvisser.com/
