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.
Foothills Parkway new temporary closure begins June 20
June 17, 2022 | 2:35 pm
Park officials remind the public that the Foothills Parkway will be fully closed from the Flats Road intersection near Look Rock to the Highway 321 intersection near Walland, TN beginning Monday, June 20 through Wednesday, August 31 for a paving project.
Park responds to bear incident in Elkmont Campground
June 13, 2022 | 10:00 am
Park wildlife biologists and park rangers responded to Elkmont Campground on Sunday, June 12, following a bear incident that resulted in human injury. After an investigation and on-the-site monitoring, wildlife biologists successfully captured the responsible bear.
Upcoming Single Lane Closures on the Spur
June 9, 2022 | 8:30 am
Park maintenance crews will implement temporary, single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, beginning Monday, June 13 through Thursday, June 16 for routine maintenance operations. The single-lane closures will be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.
Park continues efforts to eliminate unsafe roadside parking at Laurel Falls Trailhead
June 8, 2022 | 4:55 pm
Park staff will continue efforts to eliminate unsafe roadside parking at Laurel Falls Trailhead. Temporary roadside barriers will be re-established during the busy summer season through fall, beginning Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Park seeks help in Identifying historic homesites
June 1, 2022 | 10:30 am
Park is seeking help to identify and document former homesite locations in the park. Volunteer-In-Park Frank March, in conjunction with Park Archeologist Allison Harvey, is leading these research efforts which includes documenting field locations with associated historic records.
Park reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure
May 26, 2022 | 1:45 pm
Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event honoring the crews who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies who provided critical funding to support the efforts. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure.
Upcoming closures for Alum Cave and Chimney Tops Trails due to Newfound Gap Road paving project
April 28, 2022 | 3:00 pm
Park officials have announced that Alum Cave and Chimney Tops Trails will be closed beginning Tuesday, May 3 through Wednesday, May 4 to accommodate repaving of all trailhead associated parking areas. This work is part of the pavement preservation project along Newfound Gap Road between Chimneys Picnic Area and Newfound Gap.
MEDIA UPDATE: Public comment period on fee program changes for 2023 extended through May 11
April 26, 2022 | 3:00 pm
Park officials announced that the public comment period on the proposed Smokies Parking Tag, camping fee, and day-use facility rate changes has been extended through May 11 due to an upcoming network outage that is scheduled to occur from April 29 through May 1. The online portal for comment submissions won't be accessible during this four-day outage. Written comments can continue to be submitted throughout the comment period.
Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates for 2022
April 26, 2022 | 10:15 am
Park officials announce the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Friday, June 3 through Friday, June 10. 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 29 at 10:00 a.m. through Tuesday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. All applications, regardless of the time or date of entry, are considered equally in the pool of lottery applicants.
Newfound Gap Road paving project resumes April 25
April 20, 2022 | 6:30 am
Park officials announced that daytime, single-lane closures on Newfound Gap Road will resume on April 25 to complete a paving project along an 8-mile section between Chimneys Picnic Area and Newfound Gap.