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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park to conduct Spur maintenance beginning May 11
May 8, 2026 | 1:35 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will complete essential maintenance along the Spur starting May 11. This will require temporary single-lane closures to allow park staff to safely and efficiently complete this work.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Seeks Tips to Identify Suspect in Illegal Vulture Dumping
May 5, 2026 | 8:35 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is requesting tips from the public to aid in an ongoing investigation of 33 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) dumped on the Foothills Parkway.
Backcountry Camping Fee Change Takes Effect on April 30 at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April 29, 2026 | 3:43 pm
Beginning April 30, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will transition its backcountry permit reservation system to Recreation.gov. This transition will improve reliability, security and customer support for backcountry users. Visitors with existing reservations do not need to do anything—the park will honor all permits issued before the switch.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces Dates for 2026 Annual Firefly Viewing Event
April 21, 2026 | 12:54 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host its annual synchronous firefly event at Elkmont from May 20-27. A lottery for vehicle reservations opens at 10 a.m. April 24 EDT and closes at 11:59 p.m. April 27 EDT.
Bear Incidents Prompts Trail Closure, Safety Reminder in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April 20, 2026 | 6:38 pm
Rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park responded to three bear‑related incidents at Ramsey Cascades Trail this past weekend, including two encounters in which a bear approached visitors and took two backpacks, and a third in which a bear displayed aggressive behavior and briefly chased a group. Ramsey Prong Road and Ramsey Cascades Trail are closed as rangers monitor bear activity.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Continues Rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail to Mount Le Conte
April 20, 2026 | 10:18 am
Beginning May 4, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 19. During this time, the park will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.
Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days Begin May 6
April 14, 2026 | 10:59 am
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days every Wednesday from May 6 to Sept. 30. These designated days give pedestrians and cyclists an opportunity to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins 2026 Season of Adaptive Programming
April 8, 2026 | 4:22 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin its 2026 season of adaptive programming this spring with ranger‑led experiences designed for visitors with limited mobility and their families.
National Park Service Requests Public Input on Proposed Oconaluftee River Trail Improvements
April 7, 2026 | 3:44 pm
The National Park Service is seeking public input on proposed improvements to the Oconaluftee River Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through this project, the park would improve connectivity with the gateway community of Cherokee, increase accessibility, repair riverbank erosion and enhance safety and the visitor experience. The NPS will accept comments through April 22.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Urges Visitors to Plan and Prepare Following High Number of Emergency Incidents This March
April 2, 2026 | 4:06 pm
The National Park Services urges visitors to plan ahead, prepare for changing conditions and know their personal limits while recreating in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park rangers have been responding to an increased number of emergencies and are reminding visitors that rescue is not a certainty.