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.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parkwide Burn Ban

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Due to continued dry conditions, winds, and high fire danger, the National Park Service (NPS) is banning all campfires and charcoal use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park effective immediately. 

The fire ban will be in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. This is consistent with the Sevier County burn ban and the National Weather Service Red Flag Warning in our area. 

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

Visitors should use extra caution recreating on public lands including national parks and national forests in North Carolina and Tennessee when fire danger is increased.   

Snow closing roads in the GSMNP

 US 441/Newfound Gap Road and Foothills Parkway West will close at 6pm on Tuesday 2/18

Due to forecasted snow and ice, US 441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC and Foothills Parkway West will close at 6pm 2/18/25

Most Roads in the GSMNP CLOSED

 

US441/Newfound Gap Road and most other roads closed due to snow/ice

This notice was posted on Sunday 1/19/2025 and has not changed. It barely made it into the 20's today in the foothills. The sun and blue skies took over after a dusting of snow which fell throughout the morning.
The following roads are closed: US441/Newfound Gap Rd, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cades Cove Loop, Cherokee Orchard Rd, Laurel Creek Rd, Foothills Pkwy, Greenbrier Rd, Sparks Ln., Little River Rd. (Sugarlands VC to the Townsend Wye), Lakeview Dr.

 

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers to open at noon on Jan. 20; Cable Mill VC is closed.

Posted 1/20/2025

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers will open at noon on Jan. 20. The Cable Mill Visitor Center in Cades Cove is currently closed.Follow the link below to the GSMNP Conditions page
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Seasonal restrictions near peregrine falcon nesting areas in North Carolind

 Seasonal restrictions near peregrine falcon nesting areas to resume on Pisgah, Nantahala National Forests

Activities such as climbing and drone use prohibited until mid-August 2025

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 14, 2025) -- The annual closure of rock faces used by nesting peregrine falcons begins again on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests starting Jan. 15, 2025, the U.S. Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announced today.

The sheer cliff faces on the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are popular destinations for climbers, so the Forest Service and NCWRC work with partners such as the Carolina Climbers Coalition each year to ensure that peregrine falcon closures balance conservation of the species with access to climbing destinations.

Follow this link for the details

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1169651.pdf

Winter Weather

 

With High Winds and ice and snow expected in the higher elevations today and tonight, Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee NC is closed. The link below will bring you full and current information for other closures in the Great Smoky Mtns.NP.

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