Planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains or already have one booked? Here’s the good news: the mountains are still open. The beautiful scenery, fresh mountain air, and local attractions are here waiting for you. Everything travelers love about the Smokies is still available to enjoy! We're here to keep you updated about the status of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the federal government shutdown.
October 31, 2025 Update
Since the federal government shutdown began in early October, state and local partners have provided funding to maintain full operations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These partners, with the addition of Smokies Life, have agreed to continue supporting the park to ensure key areas remain open to the public through Sunday, January 4, 2026, should the shutdown continue.
Visitor services will operate as normal, with traditional seasonal closings taking place in November and December. All visitor centers will remain open through January 4, with the exception of Kuwohi Visitor Center, which closes on November 30. Cades Cove Campground and Smokemont Campground will remain open, with Elkmont Campground closing as normal on November 30. The Cades Cove Picnic Area, Deep Creek Picnic Area, Greenbrier Picnic Area, and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area will remain open, while Chimneys Picnic Area will close as normal on November 30.
Partners will to meet again in mid-December to discuss next steps if the shutdown remains in effect.
Here is a full list of faciliites and trails and when they're open:
Visitor Centers:
- Cades Cove (Cable Mill) Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and Sugarlands Visitor Center are open year-round
- Kuwohi Visitor Center and Kuwohi Road are open until November 30, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
Roads and Motor Nature Trails
- Anthony Creek Horse Camp - open until November 8
- Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop Road, Upper Tremont Road, Wear Cove Road, Cataloochee Road, and the Foothills Parkway - open year-round, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
- Kuwohi Road - open until November 30, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
- Forge Creek Road - open until December 31, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
- Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road - open until November 9
- Little Greenbrier Road - open until November 29
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - open until November 29, subject to closure due to snow, ice and other hazardous weather events
Hiking Trails
- Most hiking trails remain open year-round; however, some trailheads may be inaccessible to motor vehicles due to seasonal or weather-related road closures. Numerous trails remain closed in the Cataloochee area due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Check the park website for the latest status on all trails.
Park Concessions
- Smokemont Riding Stable - open until November 22
- LeConte Lodge - open until November 25
- Cades Cove Riding Stable and Sugarlands Riding Stable - open until December 6
- Cades Cove Campground Store and Bike Rental - open until December 13
Before your visit, always check the park's website to verify what's open and closed.
Update: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fully Reopened on Saturday, Oct. 4th!
We're so happy to announce that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park resumed full operations on Saturday morning, Oct. 4th, despite the federal government shutdown! Through a partnership among local and state governments, as well as the Friends of the Smokies and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, there's enough financial support to keep the park fully open and operational. This means that areas that were previously closed, such as Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, Cades Cove Loop Road, Cades Cove Visitor Center, and Cades Cove Picnic Area, are open!
The funding also means that staff are on duty to service restrooms, help visitors who need it, and provide essential services to protect wildlife. We can't wait to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to enjoy this beautiful fall season in the Smoky Mountains! You can read the full release here.
The Smokies Are OPEN During the Government Shutdown
Yes, the government is shut down. But the mountains are still open. Roads, trails, waterfalls, and the famous Smoky Mountain beauty are here for you. Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge are alive with shows, shopping, and dining.
Some areas were initially closed, including Sugarlands and Cades Cove Visitor Centers, Cades Cove Loop Road, and a few picnic areas. Ranger programs and staffed services were also paused. The reason people travel here, the fall colors, the drives, and the mountain views, however, remained untouched.
Local, state, and tribal partners worked with the National Park Service to restore full operations as quickly as possible. The Smokies are the most visited national park in the United States, and it was important to ensure it was open for all visitors.
Note: These areas reopened Oct. 4th.
What’s Open for Your Visit
Scenic Drives & Mountain Views: Roads like Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop Road remain open, giving you easy access to breathtaking mountain views.
Trails & Wildlife: Hiking trails are still open, with the exception of seasonal closures, so you can enjoy waterfalls, wildlife sightings, and crisp autumn hikes.
Local Fun: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are unaffected by the shutdown. From Dollywood to dinner shows to cozy cabin stays, all the restaurants, attractions, and shops are open for business!
What’s Limited in the National Park
Some services and facilities were closed until Oct. 4th. Those closures included:
- Cades Cove Loop Road, Picnic Area, and Visitor Center
- Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Chimneys Picnic Area
- Straight Fork and part of Balsam Mountain Road
- Park Headquarters Road and part of the Gatlinburg Trail
- Old NC 284 from Cataloochee Creek to Cataloochee Valley
Now, visitor services will operate as normal through the new year.
Why Your Trip Is Worth It
There's never a bad time to be in the Smokies. Whether you're catching the fall colors before they fade for the season or you're hoping to see snow-covered mountain peaks, you're in for a treat. Despite the government shutdown, there is more than enough open to make your trip unforgettable. And remember, the towns surrounding the park, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, are full of attractions, shows, shopping, and dining that are completely unaffected by the shutdown.
Stay Updated
The situation may change, so before you head out, check the National Park Service Alerts Page for the latest updates.
Bottom line: The Smoky Mountains are open. The mountains and the memories are waiting for you.
