Learn about some of the area history and have fun!

 

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Where heritage meets hands-on history—experience the rich traditions of Appalachian Mountain life at the annual Mountain Life Festival, happening Sept. 20 at the Mountain Farm Museum, located just behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC.

Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., this free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian region through interactive demonstrations, live music and hands-on activities. The festival celebrates the legacy of the many families who once lived on the lands that later became Great Smoky Mountains National Park, preserving the diverse customs and skills passed down through generations.

Visitors can engage with living historians and cultural demonstrators to learn what daily life was like in the mountains. Highlights include traditional sorghum milling, hearth cooking, apple butter making, apple cider pressing, broom making, hominy preparation and demonstrations of Cherokee culture. Seasonal activities will also showcase the crafts and customs that defined autumn in the region’s past.

No reservations are required, but visitors are reminded that a parking tag is required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. Parking tags can be obtained in advance online or at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Road maintenance planned in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Great Smoky Mountains News Release  

GATLINBURG, Tenn.— The National Park Service will complete important maintenance along popular roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this June. This will require temporary partial closures of Little River Road and single-lane closures along the Spur to allow park staff to safely and efficiently complete this work.   

Little River Road closures: 

On June 3 and 4, the park will close Townsend Wye to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area from 7 a.m. to noon. Visitors can use Wears Valley Road (US 321) between Townsend and Line Springs Road as a detour. 

On June 5, the park will close Metcalf Bottoms to Elkmont Junction from 7 a.m. to noon. Visitors can use Wears Valley Road between Line Springs Road and Pigeon Forge as a detour.  

Motor homes, buses and vans longer than 25 feet, as well as any passenger vehicles towing a trailer, are prohibited on Wear Cove Gap Road from the park boundary to and including the Metcalf Bottoms bridge.  

Popular sites including Elkmont, Metcalf Bottoms and Cades Cove will remain accessible during this closure but may require detours. Visitors should plan for increased travel time.  

Spur single-lane closures: From June 9-12, the park will implement temporary single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitor may see some traffic delays.  

Check the park website for up-to-date information on road closures and construction. 

Trail Advisories in the GSMNP

 The following link will take you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website page, where you'll find more details about trail advisories and closures. 

There has been lots of water damage from winter and early spring rains, as well as the destruction brought on by hurricane Helene.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Balsam Mountain Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. No significant storm damage was found from Heintooga to Gunter Fork Trail junction. The trail has not been assessed from Gunter Fork to the Appalachian Trail. Gunter Fork Trail is closed.

Big Fork Ridge Trail

Foot logs are out at Caldwell and Cataloochee Valley Road junction. No other significant damage.

Boogerman Trail

Hiking on this trail is not advised due to a deep water crossing. The first foot log on this trail, which was 55 feet in length, was washed away. This water crossing is typically more than two feet deep even when water levels are low.

Caldwell Fork Trail

Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away; numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path; and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

Hemphill Bald Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. From Double Gap to Polls Gap there is no significant damage. From Double Gap to Caldwell junction there are two sections of trail impacted by landslides; one root ball has torn up the trail tread. Closed to equestrians.

Palmer Creek Trail

Second foot log is gone. No other significant damage.

Pretty Hollow Gap Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. Trail/road is washed out from Little Cataloochee trail junction to campsite #39. Closed to equestrians.

Rough Fork Trail

First and third foot logs are out, extensive trail erosion from the first creek crossing to the junction with Woody house. No significant damage from Woody house to junction with Caldwell Fork. Closed to equestrians.

Big Creek Area

Big Creek Trail

Trail only open for first two miles to hikers and equestrians. Trail is closed beyond the first two miles at Mouse Creek Falls due to significant trail damage. There is no access to campsites #36 and #37 from the Big Creek Trail. Parking only available near ranger station and walk to trailhead is approximately ¾ mile. Due to a bridge being out north of campsite #37, hikers traveling between Swallow Fork Trail and campsite #37 must cross Big Creek. Big Creek may be impassable during high water. Hikers should use extreme caution when fording (crossing) Big Creek and do so at their own risk.

Gunter Fork Trail

Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away; numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path; and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

Swallow Fork Trail

This trail is closed to all users due to significant damage.

Backcountry campsite closures and cautions due to Hurricane Helene damage

Backcountry campsites #41 and #42 are closed.
Backcountry campsites #39 and #40 are open, but closed to stock.

 

North Carolina Haoe Fire Updatel 16, 2025

 

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail closed due to fire risk

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 16, 2025 – Firefighters continue to respond to the Haoe Fire, which has grown to approximately 800 acres within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area on the Nantahala National Forest.

Out of an abundance of caution, the USDA Forest Service has expanded the official closure for the area to now include the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and Recreation Area to ensure firefighter and public safety.

Visitors are advised to avoid the closure area and exercise caution while traveling on surrounding roads. Fire traffic is present on roadways and smoke may impact visibility. Smoke may be visible from Robbinsville, N.C. and surrounding communities.

 The rugged terrain, remote location and weather conditions (including high winds and low humidity) continue to provide challenges to fire personnel working to gain containment. Air resources are being utilized as weather conditions allow.

For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit www.fs.usda

Wildfire Prompts Closure in Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area

 

This just in from the National Forest Service/North Carolina..... ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 15, 2025 – The USDA Forest Service issued a closure order for portions of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest to entry to mitigate the risks to public safety in response to the ongoing Haoe Fire. As a result of this order the following trails are Closed: Stratton Bald- TR 54 Haoe Lead- TR 53 Wolf Laurel- TR 57 Strawberry Knob- TR 217 H Naked Ground- TR 55 Hangover Lead- TR 56 Jenkins Meadow- TR 56 Slickrock Creek- TR 42 Visitor and employee safety are the highest priorities for the Forest Service, so the public should stay out of this area while fire crews work to contain the blaze. Currently reaching approximately 120 acres, the Haoe fire started on April 12 by a lightning strike. The fire is located 2 miles from the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and separated by several natural features, including the Little Santeetlah Creek drainage. Forest Service crews continue to monitor the situation and will work to mitigate impacts on the area's natural resources. For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc.

Park Burn Ban is Back in Place

 "Due to dry conditions, low relative humidity, a continued high fire danger, and a high wind watch, the National Park Service (NPS) is instituting an immediate ban on all campfires and charcoal use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This fire ban will remain in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. 

Campers, backpackers, and visitors using picnic areas may continue to use cookstoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that feature an on/off switch. Stoves and grills must be attended at all times.

The NPS is collaborating with multiple agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions. Visitors are urged to exercise extra caution while recreating on public lands, including national parks and national forests, in North Carolina and Tennessee when fire danger is elevated."

For the latest information regarding the fire ban in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please visit the park's current conditions webpage.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Dangerously High Winds close many Roads in the GSMNP

 Be aware!

 For the GSMNP Alerts: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

And, from the noaa weather site: https://www.weather.gov/mrx/

Gust over 100mph?!

Be smart.