GSMNP, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park service announced closures ahead of storms on Friday and announced additional closures on Saturday.
Closures will go into effect starting today, and additional closures may go into effect on Sunday.
"Overnight backcountry use is not recommended beginning Saturday through Monday due to potential threat of downed trees and flooded stream crossings causing rivers and trails to become hazardous," the park service said.
Officials said that reservation holders are encouraged to change their itineraries or cancel their permits and receive a refund.
September 14 closures:
Picnic Areas
- Heintooga/Balsam Mountain
- Front Country Campgrounds
- Balsam Mountain
- Horse Campgrounds
- Round Bottom
Roads
- Balsam Mountain Road
- Heintooga Ridge Road/Round Bottom Road/ Straight Fork Road
September 15 closures:
Picnic Areas
- Big Creek, Cosby, and Greenbrier
- Front Country Campgrounds
- Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, and Cosby
- Horse Campgrounds
- Big Creek and Cataloochee
Roads
Tennessee
- Abrams Creek Road
- Cosby Access Road
- Foothills Parkway East
- Foothills Parkway West, from Look Rock to Hwy 129 - at 8 pm
- Greenbrier Road
- Newfound Gap Road, from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Newfound Gap - at 8 pm
- Ramsey Cascade Road including Ramsey Cascade Trail
- Rich Mountain Road- at 8 pm
- Tremont Road (Upper) from Tremont Institute to Middle Prong - -Trailhead- at 8 pm
- Wear Cove Gap Road- at 8 pm
North Carolina
- Cataloochee Entrance Road
- Clingmans Dome Road- at 8 pm
- Newfound Gap Road, from Smokemont to Newfound Gap- at 8 pm
- NC Hwy 284
- Twentymile
- Facilities/Concession Operations
- Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob
- Appalachian Clubhouse- after last reservation
- Clingmans Dome Information Center-at 8 pm
- Leconte Lodge
- Spence Cabin- after last reservation
Additional closures beginning September 15 at 8 p.m.:
Picnic Areas
- Cades Cove, Chimneys, Collins Creek, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, Twin Creeks
Front Country Campgrounds
- Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Smokemont
Horse Campgrounds
- Anthony Creek, Tow String
Roads
- Tennessee
- Cades Cove Loop Road
- Cherokee Orchard to Twin Creeks Road
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove
- Foothills Parkway West, from Look Rock to Hwy 129
- Little River Road (Sugarlands to Metcalf Bottoms entrance) – midnight Saturday
- Little River Road (Metcalf Bottoms to Townsend Wye)
- Newfound Gap Road, from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Newfound Gap
- Wear Cove Gap Road - midnight Saturday
- Tremont Road (Upper) from Tremont Institute to Middle Prong Trailhead
North Carolina
- Clingmans Dome Road
- Lakeview Drive
- Newfound Gap Road, from Smokemont to Newfound Gap
Facilities/Concession Operations
- All Cades Cove facilities
For more information, visit the park's website.
