Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

 

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About the Authors

 

Liz Etnier

 

Mike Etnier

 

Spring Wildflower Hikes in the Smokies

 

Gregory Bald

 

Roundtop

 

Schoolhouse Gap

 

Chestnut Top

 

Defeat Ridge

 

Return to Hiking in the Smokies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Closings 2019

 

The final 33-mile section of Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley has been completed, and opened to the public for motor use.

 

The Little River Road is being repaired between Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Townsend “Y.” Drivers will experience single-lane closures from February 19 – June 14, 2019, and again from August 19 – September 20, 2019. These closures will be in effect from 7 AM on Mondays until noon on Fridays. Both lanes will be open on weekends, peak summer months, Federal holidays, and during Easter week (April 12 – 26, 2019). Elkmont Road will be single lane also sometime during this repaving process.

 

Parsons Branch Road is closed following a washout near Sam’s Gap, and blockage by many downed trees. Standing dead pines along the road need to be removed, and is prolonging the road closure. The road is closed to vehicular traffic, but will be open to hikers and horseback riders who should assess the risk for travel as they would in any area of the backcountry. Due to the nature of wide corridor, bicyclists are allowed to use the road during the closure. Dogs on a 6-foot leash will also be allowed.