Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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

2025 Trail and Campsite Closings Hurricane Helene hit the Great Smoky Mountains on September 27, 2024, and wreaked an incredible amount of destruction. Most of the damage occurred in the Western North Carolina portion of the Park, but many other sections have still to be assessed for damage and safety. The NPS has provided a notice of all the trails that are closed, and this list will be updated as trails are cleared and bridges replaced. From Eric Anderson, Co-director of the 900 Miler Club: Many of you may have seen the latest report on trail/area closures in the Eastern part of the GSMNP. I have just posted information on the 900 Miler Club FB page regarding trail closures and how they impact the requirements for the 900 Miler Club. Please consider the following areas/trails closed for the foreseeable future. They will not be required for the 900 Miler Club challenge at this time.  As of early April, some Cataloochee trails are now open. Please visit the NPS website for this information, and please hike responsibly and safely. Gunter Fork and Caldwell Fork remain closed to ALL use. Big Creek is open ONLY for the first 2 miles.  Mt Sterling, Cataloochee Divide, McKee Branch, Little Cataloochee, and Long Bunk Trails are open. Boogarman remains closed due to no access to either end of the trail. ALL of Caldwell Fork including the upper section from Big Fork Ridge up to Rough Fork remains closed. Access to McKee from Big Fork Ridge is open.  https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm Cataloochee Area trail closures due to Hurricane Helene damage:  Balsam Mountain Trail from the intersection with Mt Sterling Ridge Trail to the AT  Big Fork Ridge Trail  Boogerman Trail  Caldwell Fork Trail  Hemphill Bald Trail  Palmer Creek Trail  Pretty Hollow Gap Trail Rough Fork Trail Big Creek Area trail closures due to Hurricane Helene damage:  Big Creek Trail – open for ONLY the first 2 miles  Gunter Fork Trail  Swallow Fork Trail  Camel Gap (closed to equestrians) Backcountry campsite closures due to Hurricane Helene damage: 39, 40, 41, 42 Closures due to Flint Gap Fire impacts:  Backcountry campsite 14  Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Rabbit Creek Trail Lower Mount Cammerer, Hyatt Ridge, Enloe Creek, and Camel Gap Trails are closed to equestrian traffic but open to hikers until trail repairs are completed. Note that the Cosby entrance road is closed for repairs, expected to be completed spring 2025. Scott Mountain Trail is closed from campsite #6 to Schoolhouse Gap. Campsite #6 is open. Laurel Falls Trail to Cove Mountain and Sugarland Mt Trail from the road to Huskey Gap are both closed for 18 months for trail repairs. Additionally, access to Laurel Falls from other trails is prohibited. Trail Cautions  Rough Creek Trail—open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.  Bullhead Trail—open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage. Updates to this information will be provided as the NPS clears any trails and reopens them.