Smokies Trip Planner

COVID-19

The National Park Service is working with federal, state, and local health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Check nps.gov/grsm for the

latest updates on open facilities and

access. All openings are based on available staffing. Temporary closures may occur on short notice.

Masks are required for everyone, regardless of location or vaccination status, in all park buildings and at crowded outdoor spaces.

Road closures

• Cades Cove Loop Road is closed Sept. 7 through Sept. 27 for paving work. • Seasonal closures include: Forge Creek Road (Oct. 31); Heintooga/Round Bottom and Straight Fork Roads (Nov. 1); Rich Mountain Road (Nov. 8); Clingmans Dome Road, Little Greenbrier Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (Nov. 28).

Camping in the national park

The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at nine locations in the park. Only Cades Cove and Smokemont are open in winter. There are no showers or hookups other than circuits for special medical uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont.

Campsite reservations are required at all park campgrounds, including Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Sites may be reserved up to six months in advance. Make your reservation at recreation.gov or call 877.444.6777.

Site occupancy is limited to six people and two vehicles (a trailer = one vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days.

Campsites for large groups are at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Reservations required and may be secured up to a year in advance.

The list below shows number of sites, elevations, closing dates, nightly fees, and maximum RV lengths. For more information, visit nps.gov/grsm. • Abrams Creek 16 sites, elev. 1,125', closes Oct. 31, $17.50, 12' trailers • Balsam Mountain 42 sites, elev. 5,310', closes Oct. 3, $17.50, 30' RVs • Big Creek 12 sites, elev. 1,700', closes Oct. 31, $17.50, tents only • Cades Cove 159 sites, elev. 1,807', open year-round, $21-$25, 35'–40' RVs • Cataloochee 27 sites, elev. 2,610', closes Oct. 31, $25, 31' RVs • Cosby 157 sites, elev. 2,459', $17.50, closes Oct. 31, 25' RVs • Deep Creek 92 sites, elev. 1,800', closes Oct. 31, $25, 26' RVs • Elkmont 220 sites, elev. 2,150', closes Nov. 28, $21–$27, 32'–35' RVs

MOVING ROCKS HARMS AQUATIC LIFE.

• Smokemont 142 sites, elev. 2,198', open year-round, $21–$25, 35'–40' RVs • Look Rock closed in 2021

Accommodations

• LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail only, open through Nov. 28) provides the only lodging in the park. 865.429.5704 or lecontelodge.com • Bryson City 800.867.9246 or greatsmokies.com • Cherokee 800.438.1601 or visitcherokeenc.com • Fontana 800.849.2258 or fontanavillage.com • Gatlinburg 800.588.1817 or gatlinburg.com • Maggie Valley 800.624.4431 or maggievalley.org • Pigeon Forge 800.251.9100 or mypigeonforge.com • Sevierville 888.766.5948 or visitsevierville.com • Townsend 800.525.6834 or smokymountains.org

Firewood

To prevent the spread of destructive pests, the NPS has banned outside firewood from entering the park unless it is USDA- or state-certified heat-treated wood. Campers may gather dead and down wood in the park for campfires.

Visitor centers Hours may be modified due to COVID.

Oconaluftee, Sugarlands, and Cades Cove: 9–5. Cades Cove closed Sept. 7–27 for paving work. Clingmans Dome: 10–6 Sept.–Oct.; 10–5 Nov. Cable Mill and Mingus Mill operate daily through October 31 and Friday–Sunday in November.

SMOKIES GUIDE

Smokies Guide is produced four times per year by Great Smoky Mountains Association and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Publication dates

Spring: mid-March Summer: early June Autumn: mid-Sept. Winter: mid-Dec.

Senior Editor

Frances Figart

Writers

Korrin Bishop Martha Hunter Valerie Polk Sarah Shiver

Lead Designer

Karen Key

Design Assistants

Emma DuFort Lisa Horstman

NPS Coordinator

Stephanie Kyriazis

Other services

There are no gas stations, showers, or restaurants in the national park.

Picnic areas

Picnic areas at Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms are open year-round. Big Creek, Collins Creek, Cosby, Heintooga, and Look Rock close Oct. 31, and Chimneys closes Nov. 27. Picnic pavilions may be reserved for $12.50–$60 at recreation.gov.

For rent

The Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin at Elkmont can be reserved for daytime events at recreation.gov.

Horseback riding

Some 550 miles of park trails are open to horses. See park trail map for trails and rules. Horse camps are available at Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Tow String. Visit recreation.gov for reservations.

Four concession horseback riding stables offer rides from March through November. Call for exact closing dates. • Cades Cove 865.448.9009 cadescovestables.com • Smokemont 828.497.2373 smokemontridingstable.com • Smoky Mtn. 865.436.5634 smokymountainridingstables.com • Sugarlands 865.436.3535 sugarlandsridingstables.com

Bicycling

Most park roads are too narrow and heavily traveled by automobiles for safe or enjoyable bicycling. Bicycles are permitted on park roads but prohibited on trails except Gatlinburg, Oconaluftee River, and lower Deep Creek and Indian

E Printed on recycled paper

Susan Sachs Paul Super Stephanie Sutton Rhonda Wise © 2021 GSMA P.O. Box 130 Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Creek trails. Helmets are required by law for persons age 16 and under and strongly recommended for all.

Bicycles may be rented at the Cades Cove Campground store.

Pets in the park

Pets are allowed in frontcountry campgrounds and along roads as long as they are restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on park trails, except for Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails. Dogs must be kept in control on a leash no longer than six feet.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted year-round in the park. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required. Either state license is valid throughout the park. No trout stamp is required. Fishing with bait is prohibited in the park. A special permit is required for the Qualla Boundary and Gatlinburg. Licenses are available in nearby towns. A free fishing map with a complete list of all park fishing regulations is available at visitor centers.

Special events

Check nps.gov/grsm or inquire at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers and Cades Cove Orientation Shelter for information about ranger-led programs and cultural demonstrations.

Backcountry camping

Camping can be an exciting adventure for those who are properly equipped and informed. To facilitate this activity, the NPS maintains more than 800 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites and shelters throughout the park. One of the greatest challenges for backcountry campers is deciding where to go. Here are some tools to help.

1. Get the map.

Go online to view the park’s official trail map (nps.gov/grsm/ planyourvisit/maps. htm), which shows all park trails, campsites, and shelters. Park rules and regulations are also listed here. You can purchase the printed version of the trail map for $1 at any park visitor center or by calling 865.436.7318, ext. 226, or by shopping online at SmokiesInformation.org.

2. Plan your trip.

Call or stop by the park’s backcountry office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for trip planning help. The office is located in Sugarlands Visitor Center, two miles south of Gatlinburg on US 441. 865.436.1297.

3. Get a permit.

Make your reservation and obtain your permit through the backcountry office at Sugarlands Visitor Center (by phone or in person) or online at smokiespermits.nps.gov.

Reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. The cost is $4 per person per night. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance.

Fall hikers should be especially aware of abrupt weather changes and the danger of hypothermia—the dangerous lowering of body temperature. The combination of rain, cold, and wind (especially at the higher elevations) is extremely dangerous.

Carry reliable rain gear at all times. Layer clothing that provides warmth when wet (not cotton). Always carry an ample supply of water and food. Know your limits. See page 12 for more trip essentials.

Park weather

In autumn, a pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights emerges by mid-September. However, cool, rainy days may also occur. Snow may fall at higher elevations beginning in November. As winter arrives, days can be sunny and 65°F or snowy with highs in the 20s. Snows of an inch or more may occur at lower elevations.

These temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. An average of over 84" (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Smokies.

GSMNP

BY THE NUMBERS