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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, 2020, 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. Currently, the Upper Tremont Road is
closed, as well as the Deep Creek Road near the picnic area. 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. Work on the Bote Mountain
tunnel has been completed, and Laurel Creek Road from Cades Cove to just
before the entrance to Tremont has reopened. Intermittant single lane closures on Laurel Gap Road will
continue from March 1 – June 15, 2020. Single-lane
closures will be implemented through March 27, 2020, for short durations on
Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, Foothills Parkway West, and Lakeview
Drive as well as the developed areas in Deep Creek, Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. 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, 2020. For
up-to-date information about roads and trail closures, visit the Park’s
website, Facebook and Twitter. 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. |
