Presents
Great Smoky Mountain National Park Information
Dial 911 for Emergencies
Non- life threating emergencies call park emergency line at 865.436.9171.
Non- life threating emergencies call park emergency line at 865.436.9171.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Cable Mill in Cades Cove is open from mid-March through late November.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.However some secondary roads, campgrounds, and other visitor facilities close in winter.
Please click the following links for information about seasonal opening and closing dates.
Roads
Cable Mill in Cades Cove is open from mid-March through late November.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.However some secondary roads, campgrounds, and other visitor facilities close in winter.
Please click the following links for information about seasonal opening and closing dates.
Roads
Campgrounds
Picnic Areas
Visitor Centers
Historic Grist Mills
All roads and facilities are subject to temporary closures due to weather and construction. For updated information about closures, please call 865.436.1200.
Picnic Areas
Visitor Centers
Historic Grist Mills
All roads and facilities are subject to temporary closures due to weather and construction. For updated information about closures, please call 865.436.1200.
Traffic & Travel Tips
There are 384 miles of road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are maintained in suitable condition for standard passenger cars. But driving in the mountains presents new challenges for many drivers. Roads in the park are narrow and winding with blind curves and low shoulders. Speed limits are generally 35 mph or less.
Motorcyclists must be especially cautious while driving in the park.
Don't Drive Impaired!
The park's mountainous roads are narrow, winding and heavily traveled. They are unforgiving for a careless driver;or worse, for a driver whose mental state is compromised by alcohol or drugs. Every year, several alcohol-related fatalities occur within the park.
Weather Related Closures
Road conditions can change rapidly during periods of inclement weather, sometimes forcing the temporary closure of park roads. These closures are usually short in duration and are dictated by the current weather conditions. At times travel may be restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles or vehicles with tire chains. Some of the smaller secondary roads are closed during the winter months.
Restrictions on Large Vehicles
Trailers, RVs, and buses are prohibited on some secondary roads in the park, including Balsam Mountain Road, Greenbrier Road past the ranger station, Heintooga Ridge Road, Rich Mountain Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and the road exiting the park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Caution is also advised when traveling on Little River Road between the Townsend entrance to the park and Elkmont Campground, and on the road leading into Cataloochee Valley.
Overheated Engines and Brakes
When traveling uphill on hot days, watch your engine temperature carefully to make sure it is not overheating. If overheating occurs, stop at a pullout to allow your vehicle to cool down before continuing.
When driving downhill on steep mountain roads, it is important that you shift to a lower gear to use the braking power of your engine to prevent your brakes from over heating and failing. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, use "L" or "2." (Overheated brakes smoke and give off an acrid smell.) Keep an extra cushion of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you as protection against sudden stops.
Avoid Collisions with Animals
Watch for animals crossing roads, especially at night. Scores of bears and other animals are killed by motorists every year. Following posted speed limits will reduce your chances of hitting wildlife.
Use Pullouts if Driving Slowly
As a courtesy to other park visitors, slow moving vehicles should use pullouts to let other cars pass. Pullouts are located every mile or so on most park roads.
Road Markers
Numbered posts along park roads are keyed to the book Smokies Road Guide or to booklets on specific park areas (Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, etc.). These publications are available at park visitor centers or by calling 888.898.9102.
Gas Stations
There are no gas stations or other related services available in the park. Complete services are available in Cherokee, NC, Gatlinburg, TN, and Townsend, TN.
There are 384 miles of road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are maintained in suitable condition for standard passenger cars. But driving in the mountains presents new challenges for many drivers. Roads in the park are narrow and winding with blind curves and low shoulders. Speed limits are generally 35 mph or less.
Motorcyclists must be especially cautious while driving in the park.
Don't Drive Impaired!
The park's mountainous roads are narrow, winding and heavily traveled. They are unforgiving for a careless driver;or worse, for a driver whose mental state is compromised by alcohol or drugs. Every year, several alcohol-related fatalities occur within the park.
Weather Related Closures
Road conditions can change rapidly during periods of inclement weather, sometimes forcing the temporary closure of park roads. These closures are usually short in duration and are dictated by the current weather conditions. At times travel may be restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles or vehicles with tire chains. Some of the smaller secondary roads are closed during the winter months.
Restrictions on Large Vehicles
Trailers, RVs, and buses are prohibited on some secondary roads in the park, including Balsam Mountain Road, Greenbrier Road past the ranger station, Heintooga Ridge Road, Rich Mountain Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and the road exiting the park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Caution is also advised when traveling on Little River Road between the Townsend entrance to the park and Elkmont Campground, and on the road leading into Cataloochee Valley.
Overheated Engines and Brakes
When traveling uphill on hot days, watch your engine temperature carefully to make sure it is not overheating. If overheating occurs, stop at a pullout to allow your vehicle to cool down before continuing.
When driving downhill on steep mountain roads, it is important that you shift to a lower gear to use the braking power of your engine to prevent your brakes from over heating and failing. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, use "L" or "2." (Overheated brakes smoke and give off an acrid smell.) Keep an extra cushion of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you as protection against sudden stops.
Avoid Collisions with Animals
Watch for animals crossing roads, especially at night. Scores of bears and other animals are killed by motorists every year. Following posted speed limits will reduce your chances of hitting wildlife.
Use Pullouts if Driving Slowly
As a courtesy to other park visitors, slow moving vehicles should use pullouts to let other cars pass. Pullouts are located every mile or so on most park roads.
Road Markers
Numbered posts along park roads are keyed to the book Smokies Road Guide or to booklets on specific park areas (Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, etc.). These publications are available at park visitor centers or by calling 888.898.9102.
Gas Stations
There are no gas stations or other related services available in the park. Complete services are available in Cherokee, NC, Gatlinburg, TN, and Townsend, TN.
Get your own Great Smoky Mountains Signature Series Coffee.
Homemade Foods Store is proud to offer Great Smoky Mountains Signature Series Coffee.
This coffee is a blend of three single source whole bean coffees. It is blended at the perfect ratio to represent the best qualities of each coffee. The result is a unique blend that registers between medium and bold.
We also donate 10% of the sales profits to help the GSMNP.
Click the link below to get more information about the coffee.
Homemade Foods Store is proud to offer Great Smoky Mountains Signature Series Coffee.
This coffee is a blend of three single source whole bean coffees. It is blended at the perfect ratio to represent the best qualities of each coffee. The result is a unique blend that registers between medium and bold.
We also donate 10% of the sales profits to help the GSMNP.
Click the link below to get more information about the coffee.
Water recreation is not recommended in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park.
Water recreation is not recommended in Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to numerous hazards and dangers. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park. Innumerable injuries have resulted from people swimming and riding inner tubes in park waters. Serious water-related injuries occur every year in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These injuries can easily be avoided. Medical assistance for injured persons may be many hours away. Closely supervise children at all times. There are no life-guarded swimming areas in the park. River levels can rise rapidly after a heavy rainfall. A localized thunderstorm dumping rain far upstream on the park's highest peaks can create sudden and unexpected flood conditions at lower elevations. You may not even have felt a raindrop! As river levels rise and water velocity increases, the risk of serious injury or drowning becomes greater. Do not wade in or attempt to cross a rain-swollen stream! Hikers must use good judgment when deciding to cross streams. It is better to turn back or wait for flooding streams to recede than risk your life in cold, swift waters.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park.
Water recreation is not recommended in Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to numerous hazards and dangers. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the park. Innumerable injuries have resulted from people swimming and riding inner tubes in park waters. Serious water-related injuries occur every year in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These injuries can easily be avoided. Medical assistance for injured persons may be many hours away. Closely supervise children at all times. There are no life-guarded swimming areas in the park. River levels can rise rapidly after a heavy rainfall. A localized thunderstorm dumping rain far upstream on the park's highest peaks can create sudden and unexpected flood conditions at lower elevations. You may not even have felt a raindrop! As river levels rise and water velocity increases, the risk of serious injury or drowning becomes greater. Do not wade in or attempt to cross a rain-swollen stream! Hikers must use good judgment when deciding to cross streams. It is better to turn back or wait for flooding streams to recede than risk your life in cold, swift waters.
Source Credit: GSMNP website.
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