GSMNP Announces Winter Closures

November 9, 2013
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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced Friday its list of closures and hours for the winter months.

Park officials said as cooler weather approaches, various facilities and services will close, including campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor services.

VISITOR CENTERS

Hours through Dec. 1

Sugarlands Visitor Center (located 2 miles south of Gatlinburg): 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center (located 2 miles north of Cherokee, N.C.): 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Cades Cove Visitor Center (located halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road near Townsend): 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Clingmans Dome Visitor Center (located near Clingsman Dome parking lot): 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Hours after Dec. 1

Sugarlands Visitor Center: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cades Cove Visitor Center: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Clingmans Dome Visitor Center: CLOSED

ROADS

Secondary Road Closures

Two-way segment of Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road (just outside Cherokee): Tuesday, Nov. 12
Parson Branch and Rich Mountain Roads: Monday, Nov. 18
Clingmans Dome: Monday, Dec. 2
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: Monday, Dec. 2

Main Roads Schedule

Newfound Gap (U.S. 441): OPEN all year except for temporary closures due to extreme weather
Little River: OPEN all year except for temporary closures due to extreme weather

Other Roads

The Gatlinburg Bypass: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Cades Cove Loop Road: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Cosby Road: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Greenbrier Road: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Upper Tremont: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Forge Creek: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Lakeview Drive: opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate
Foothills Parkway (East and West): opens and closes as road and weather conditions mandate

LODGING

LeConte Lodge: CLOSES FOR THE SEASON on Tuesday, Nov. 26

CAMPING

Cades Cove: OPEN ALL YEAR
Smokemont in N.C.: OPEN ALL YEAR
Elkmont: Remains open through Thanksgiving weekend; CLOSES Sunday, Dec. 1
Self-Registration Campgrounds
Cosby
Cataloochee
Deep Creek
Big Creek

CADES COVE CAMPGROUND

Will continue to offer all services daily through Sunday, Dec. 1.
Souvenir and ice cream area will be open on Saturday and Sunday only, weather permitting: Monday, Dec. 2 – Sunday, Jan. 5
Main store building will be closed after Dec. 2
Public restrooms at the store will be open on the same schedule as the souvenir and ice cream area
Vending machines at the store will remain in service throughout the winter

PICNICKING

Picnic Areas Open Through Winter

Cades Cove
Deep Creek (Click here to reserve picnic pavilions)
Greenbrier (Click here to reserve picnic pavilions)
Metcalf Bottoms

Picnic Closures

Chimneys Picnic Area: Open until Sunday, Dec. 1
Picnic Areas Already Closed
Big Creek
Collins Creek
Cosby
Twin Creeks

HORSEBACK STABLES

Smokemont Riding Stables: CLOSED FOR SEASON
Sugarlands Riding Stables: Closes Sunday, Dec. 1
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables: Closes Sunday, Dec. 1
Cades Cove Riding Stables open daily through Sunday, Dec. 1; After Dec. 1 – open Saturday and Sunday ONLY, weather permitting

HORSE CAMPS