September 1, 2010

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.

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

Temporary Closures 
• Cherokee Orchard Road will be closed above the Noah "Bud" Ogle cabin for repaving from August 23-Sept 3 for repaving.
• Cherokee Orchard Road will be closed at the intersection of Historic Motor Nature Trail Road (below Mynatt Park) from Sept 7-10.
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed to all public use for repaving. The reopening date will be posted once it is available. more
• Foothills Parkway - the 4 mile section from the US-321 gate in Wears Valley that is normally closed to motor vehicles is closed to all public use. It is scheduled to remain closed until January 2012.

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

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.
• Appalachian Trail - Doe Knob area
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Ramsey Cascades Trail
• Sutton Ridge Overlook area on Lower Mount Cammerer Trail
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Icewater Spring Shelter
• Mollies Ridge Shelter
• Mount Collins Shelter
• Mt Le Conte Shelter and Lodge
• Pecks Corner Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter
• Backcountry Campsites 10, 13, 28, 36, 37, 39, 40, 90

Backcountry Campsites and Shelters Closed
• Backcountry Campsites 24, 26, 29, 35, 38
• Russell Field Shelter
• Little River/Jakes Creek Trail access road in the Elkmont area will be closed to public use through August 31.

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 footbridge crossing Deep Creek near the junction of Deep Creek Trail and Pole Road Creek Trail is washed out. Fording Deep Creek during periods of high water is very difficult.  
• 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 — 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.

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. more

Walks     Hikes    Backpacking    Hiker Shuttle     Trip Planning    Equipment Rental      Classes & Seminars     Mt. LeConte     Appalachian Trail     Groups Contact Us

Copyright ©1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 A Walk In The Woods.  May be reproduced  for  non-commercial  purposes as long as attribution is given.