Great Smoky Mountains National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Great Smoky Mountains National Park - News section for more.
Abrams Falls Trail closed for trail maintenance June 16-18
June 16, 2025 | 6:00 am
The National Park Service will close Abrams Falls Trail and trailhead parking lot in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from June 16 through June 18 to allow crews to complete trail maintenance. Visitors will not be able to access the falls from any trail during this closure.
Spring road maintenance planned in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May 30, 2025 | 1:19 pm
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.
Discover the Smokies with new summer and fall public programs
May 29, 2025 | 11:56 am
Join us this summer and fall for a series of exciting, family-friendly programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, starting June 7. Visitors are invited to take a hike with a ranger, learn about mountain life, meet some of the creatures that call the Smokies' home, trek into the dark and much more.
Cosby Area reopened as park completes major culvert replacement
May 9, 2025 | 2:51 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has reopened the Cosby Area following the construction of a new culvert under Cosby Entrance Road.
Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days to begin on June 18
May 7, 2025 | 4:20 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer the first Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Day of the year on June 18. Vehicle-free days provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles.
Synchronous firefly lottery and viewing dates for 2025
April 29, 2025 | 10:06 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host its annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont from May 29-June 5. The public can apply for this opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle reservation through recreation.gov. The lottery for reservation applications opens on Friday, May 2 at 10 a.m. EDT and closes on Monday, May 5 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. This lottery system ensures that all applicants have an equal chance of securing a reservation.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park begins multi-year rehabilitation of iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
April 25, 2025 | 8:27 am
The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
Plan for routine road maintenance along the Spur in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
April 23, 2025 | 2:18 pm
Visitors should prepare for planned routine road maintenance in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park announces selection of park concessioner to operate LeConte Lodge
April 22, 2025 | 9:18 am
GATLINBURG, Tenn.– The National Park Service has selected LeConte Lodge L.P. as the concessioner for the new contract to provide services at LeConte Lodge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This contract will be effective for 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reopen portions of Cataloochee on April 4
April 3, 2025 | 1:00 pm
Gatlinburg, TN – On April 4 by 12 PM EST, the National Park Service (NPS) will reopen portions of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee Valley has been closed since September 2024 following significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Within the park, Cataloochee Valley saw the worst impacts from Hurricane Helene.