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May 7, 2009
Weather-related road and facility closures may change throughout the day. For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast. You may wish to write this number down when traveling to the area for handy reference for road and weather updates. This webpage is updated 2-3 times a week. For the most current report, please call the number listed above.
Roads and Facilities
Seasonal Closures
For information about seasonal closures during the winter months, please see:
Seasonal Road Closures
Seasonal Facility Closures
Temporary Closures
• Parson Branch Road will be closed until late spring due to storm damage.
• Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May 6 - Sept. 23 to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy the cove.
• Cades Cove Loop Road - On Saturday, June 13, 2009 the Loop Road will have a varied opening and closing schedule. The road will open to all motor vehicles at sunrise (around 6:30 a.m.) and close at noon to all vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. The normal Saturday morning road closure for bicycle and pedestrian use on that Saturday will not be in effect.
Road Construction
• US-441 (Newfound Gap Road) repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 16, 2009 through September 2010. Additional information
Backcountry Facilities
For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1231. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.
Bear Warnings - areas where bears are active. Please read What Do I Do If I See A Bear? for important safety information about bears.
• Backcountry Campsite 40
• Mt LeConte Shelter
• Russell Field Shelter
Campsites Closed
• Backcountry Campsites #10, #24, #93
Trail Cautions
Please note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry.
• The footlog bridge across Forney Creek to access backcountry camp site #70 from Forney Creek Trail has washed out.
• Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek when lake levels are low are from the Ollie Cove Trailhead on the Hazel Creek embayment. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Ollie Cove Trail is new and therefore not yet on the trail map. New trail signs are in place to direct you from the Hazel Creek Trail and Lakeshore Trail intersection to Ollie Cove Trail that is one mile east on Lakeshore Trail from Hazel Creek.
Water Problems
• None
Cave and Mine Shaft Closure
Entry into all caves and mine shafts is prohibited due to concerns about the spread of white nose disease among bats. Additional information
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