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Road Closings 2020 Great Smoky Mountains National Park
officials announced that single- and full-lane closures will affect several
park roads. These closures began on Monday, November 18 and some will
continue through Friday, March 31, 2021, for tree removal work. Closures are
necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and tree-removal crews along the
park’s narrow roadways during the work. Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove will be
closed for bridge repair work from November 2, 2020 to May 27, 2021. This will deny walking
or vehicular access to Gregory Bald, Gregory Ridge, and Hatcher Mountain
Trails. Seven other bridges will be replaced
or repaired during this time period, but will only involve single-lane road
closures. The schedule for this work has not been released. Partial single-lane closures will occur from 6:00
a.m. on Mondays to noon on Fridays throughout the work period, excluding
federal holidays. The work schedule is subject to change due to weather or
other unplanned delays. Currently, the one-way Cherokee Orchard Road Loop
Road will be closed from Dec 7 – 11. Also Elkmont
Road near the campground will be closed for bridge repairs from Dec 7 – 18;
it will be closed from 7 A.M on Mondays to noon on Fridays. Access to Little
River Trail and Jakes Creek Trail will not be possible during the week. Cove Creek
road leading into Cataloochee campground is closed to vehicle, bicycle, and horses, as
is the gravel road from Mt Sterling to Cataloochee (Hwy 284). Road work will
continue until May 20, 2021. For
up-to-date information about roads and trail closures, visit the Park’s
website, Facebook and Twitter or call 865-436-1200. Parsons Branch Road is closed following a washout near Sam’s
Gap, and blockage by many downed trees. The
road is closed to vehicular traffic, but will be open to hikers, bicyclists,
and horseback riders who should assess the risk for travel as they would in any area of
the backcountry. Dogs on a 6-foot leash will also be allowed. |
