Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

About the Authors Liz Etnier Mike Etnier Return to Hiking in the Smokies

2023 Trail and Campsite Closings Cooper Creek Trail has been officially closed by the Park Service, and removed from the list of trails for the 900-miler club. It is recommended that hikers avoid this trail due to negative interactions with adjacent land owners. If you have any edition prior to the 4^th edition, updated (August 2020), you can combine Hike 5 in the Deep Creek area with Hike 14, starting and ending the loop with Mingus Mill Trail (16.4 miles total). Ramsey Cascades, Porters Creek, Old Settlers (east end), Grapeyard Ridge (west end), and Brushy Mountain trails cannot be accessed from Greenbrier Road, which has been closed due to past flooding. The road is scheduled to reopen March 31, 2023. There are a number of trees down on Deep Creek Trail just north of CS54, as well as a section of trail that has washed out north of CS55. These issues make the trail almost impassable, and have been reported by hikers to Backcountry. • Scott Mountain is still closed due to storm damage, from campsite 6 to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite 6 open, accessible from Cades Cove area). It is unclear at this time if the Park Service will repair and reopen this section of trail, or leave it closed permanently. • Gunter Fork opened, but caution urged due to landslides. The following trails have had footlogs washed out, and in times of high water, the crossings might be very difficult and/or dangerous: Rabbit Creek at Abrams Campground Boogerman/Caldwell Fork Trails – there is no plan at present to replace these bridges Porters Creek Trail Deep Creek/Fork Ridge intersection