Hiking in the
|
About the Authors Spring Wildflower
Hikes in the Smokies Return to Hiking in the Smokies |
Road Closings 2021 Great Smoky Mountains National Park
officials announced that intermittent single- and full-lane closures will
affect Newfound Gap road through November 30, 2021. These closures will be in
effect from 7 AM Mondays to noon on Fridays. Cades Cove Loop Road will be
vehicle-free on Wednesdays, from May 5 – September 1, 2021. It will be fully
closed for resurfacing from September 7 – 27, 2021. Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove is
still closed for bridge repair work as of August 28, 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. Parking for Laurel
Falls trail is undergoing a congestion monitoring Pilot study from Sept 30 –
October 3, 2021. Reservations for 2-hr parking in the designated area will be
required and will cost $14. They can be made on-line at www.recreation.gov. There wil
be no parking allowed along Little River Rd except in designated pull-offs. 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. |
