facebook
Home » Blog » Smoky Mountains » Officially Open: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Officially Open: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ray of sunlight shining down on the Smoky Mountains at dawnVisit My Smokies is pleased to announce that vacationers can bid farewell to the barricades as they make their way into the Great Smoky Mountains! As of Thursday, October 17, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be open and fully operating.

Visit My Smokies has received many questions about the temporary closure, so we are glad that visitors will, once again, be able to enjoy the mountains and fall leaves, from every aspect of the park. The national park originally opened with state funds on Wednesday, October 16. Now, the United States government has authorized spending levels through January 15. Since you will be planning your vacation, we put together some information that will help you as you visit the national park this season!

Visitor Centers Open Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

  • Sugarlands Visitor Center
  • Clingmans Dome Visitor Center
  • Cades Cove Visitor Center

The information centers outside the national park, in Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Townsend, will remain open as well. In addition, all ranger-led programs and events within the national park will resume.

Best Places to View the Fall Color Displays:

  • Clingmans Dome
  • Cades Cove
  • Hiking trails
  • Driving tours
  • Picnic areas

October is the busiest month for the national park, and also the best time to see the fall colors, so vacationers should know to plan for extra time to sightsee. Many people will be making their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park throughout the coming weeks, so it is expected to be quite busy.

Remember to keep an eye on the Smoky Mountain weather when you are planning on spending time in the upper elevations. Our weather page is updated regularly and is a helpful tool for visitors planning their trip to the Smoky Mountains.

For more information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we recommend taking a look at our national park page. There, you can find detailed information for making the most out of your visit to the Smokies!