Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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About the Authors 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 (visit https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm). Eric Anderson,
Co-director of the 900 Miler Club has posted information on the 900 Miler
Club FB page regarding trail closures and how they impact the requirements
for the 900 Miler Club. Areas/trails closed for the foreseeable future will
not be required for the 900 Miler Club challenge until reopened. As of early April, some
Cataloochee trails are now open. Please visit the NPS website for updated
information, and please hike responsibly and safely. For updated trail
information: Cataloochee
Area trail warnings and closures due to Hurricane Helene damage: Balsam
Mountain Trail open but use caution Big Fork
Ridge Trail open but several footlogs are out Boogerman Trail hiking inadvisable due to deep water
crossings Caldwell
Fork Trail closed Hemphill
Bald Trail open but use caution; closed to horses McKee Branch open. Palmer Creek Trail open Pretty
Hollow Gap Trail open but extra caution advised; closed to horses Rough Fork Trail open but not recommended as
some footlogs are out; closed to horses Big Creek Area trail warnings and
closures due to Hurricane Helene damage: Big Creek
Trail – open for ONLY the first 2 miles Gunter Fork
Trail closed Swallow Fork
Trail – open but no access from Big Creek Camel Gap
open; closed to horses Backcountry
campsite closures due to Hurricane Helene damage: 41, 42 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. 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.
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