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"Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee" by Niagara66 is licensed under CC by 4.0, this image was edited to better fit this page.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Park News

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas Social Distancing Required Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed
Click this box for more information.
If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know by using the link after clicking this box.

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know here.
So what does "Park Phased Reopening" mean?

According to the U.S. National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently working on reopening. This can mean that certain areas are closed. It can include trails, campgrounds, facilities, visitor centers, etc. Visit the source link below for more detailed information regarding this park's status.

What we know:

The below source link has more information about the status of the park. The National Park Service requires everyone at this park, regardless of vaccination status, to continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces, such as narrow/busy trails, overlooks, visitor center patios, & other congested areas.

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently requiring masks or face coverings in certain or all areas. Depending on your vaccination status, if you are not fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks after your final vaccination), and according to CDC guidelines, which currently depends on the COVID-19 transmissibility rate in the community in and around the park. Most parks requiring masks indoors have put an alert out (found below in the Alerts section). Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and the local community for more detailed information.

Social Distancing Required

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently requiring everyone to social distance, 6 feet or more, from others. This usually means outside of your immediate group. Some parks may also have size restrictions on gatherings to help assist in social distancing. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and the local community for more detailed information.

Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed

Great Smoky Mountains National Park currently has visitors centers, stores, or other facilities closed due to Covid-19. It is highly suggested that you bring all the supplies you may need in case a store is closed or shopping is limited due to local communities or the park. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and the local community for more detailed information.

Last Updated: September 16, 2021
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Park Alerts (4)

***Discover Our Parks, LLC takes no responsability in the accuracy of these alerts, which are taken directly from NPS.gov, and we provide them for informational purposes only. Please refer to NPS.gov for more information.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park News

Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Great Smoky Mountains National Park - News section for more.

  • Park Announces Cause of Death in 2020 Hazel Creek Fatality

    August 19, 2021 | 9:30 am

    The North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner recently released a final report confirming that Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor Patrick Madura died last summer likely due to trauma caused by a bear.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Laurel Falls Congestion Management Pilot Project begins Sept. 7

    August 17, 2021 | 2:36 pm

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Laurel Falls Trail parking will be available by reservation only from Sept. 7 through Oct. 3, 2021 as part of the Laurel Falls Congestion Management Pilot Project.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Tourism to Great Smoky Mountain National Park creates $1.38 Billion in Economic Benefits

    June 29, 2021 | 1:00 pm

    A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 12,095,721 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2020 spent $1,024,024,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 14,707 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.38 billion.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Park Announces Shuttle Opportunity for Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Wednesdays

    June 28, 2021 | 2:03 pm

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are pleased to announce a shuttle opportunity for visitors to access Cades Cove on Vehicle-Free Wednesdays beginning July 7 through September 1. The shuttle service will be provided by Rocky Top Tours from Townsend, TN to Cades Cove between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each Wednesday.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Fatal Single-Car Accident on Spur

    May 3, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Park Rangers responded to a fatality accident on the Spur at 3:06 a.m. on Sunday, May 2. Gian Montano Spagnolo, age 25, of Venezuela, was traveling south on the Spur when he lost control of his 2008 Nissan sedan near Caney Creek Road.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates

    April 27, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Tuesday, June 1 through Tuesday, June 8. The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through www.recreation.gov. The lottery opens for vehicle pass applications on Friday, April 30 at 10:00 a.m. through Monday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Greenbrier Area Closure Extended through May 15

    April 22, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Park officials announced that the Greenbrier area will remain temporarily closed beyond the Greenbrier Ranger Station to all motorists and pedestrians through May 15. The repairs were expected to be complete at the by April 23, but the work has been delayed due to the availability of construction materials for the Ramsey Prong bridge replacement and the Porters Creek culvert replacement.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Motorcycle Fatality on Clingmans Dome Road

    April 20, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Park Rangers responded to a report of a motorcycle wreck on Clingmans Dome Road at 4:08 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. Maynoy Alexander Ardon, age 20, of Guatemala, was traveling down Clingmans Dome Road when he lost control of his motorcycle near Collins Gap.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Upcoming Single-lane Closures on Spur for Maintenance Activity

    April 8, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Park maintenance crews will implement temporary, single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, beginning Monday, April 12 through Thursday, April 29. Roadside work will include litter removal, string trimming, mowing, shoulder reconditioning, culvert cleaning, and survey work in the tunnel. These temporary closures better ensure the safety of workers along the narrow shoulders on the heavily trafficked road.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Greenbrier Area Temporarily Closed at Ranger Station through April 23

    April 6, 2021 | 12:00 pm

    Park officials announced that the Greenbrier area will be temporarily closed, effective today, at the Greenbrier Ranger Station to all motorists and pedestrians through April 23. Previously the closure was in place at the picnic area. The closure area has been expanded due to pedestrian use beyond the picnic area into the construction zone which poses an unacceptable safety risk to visitors and workers.

    Read more at nps.gov

data source: nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/newsreleases.htm
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