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November 4, 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
• Fontana Dam access road will be closed October 1st through January 31, 2010. Pedestrian access will be allowed. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will have signs posted.
• The Cades Cove Loop Road is scheduled to be closed to all public use from March 1-May 21, 2010 for repaving. Weather conditions may affect these closure dates.
• Clingmans Dome Road is tentatively scheduled to be closed to all public use from December 2009 through May 2010 for repaving. Specific closure dates will be posted here once they become available.
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is tentatively scheduled to be closed from December 2009 until June 2010 for repaving. Specific closure dates will be posted here once they become available.
• The parking area at the Sinks on Little River Road is tentatively scheduled to be closed from November 2009 through May 2010 for redesign and repaving. Specific closure dates will be posted here once they become available.
Road Construction
• US-441 (Newfound Gap Road) repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 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.
Trailheads Closed
Trailhead access from roads within Cosby Campground to Lower Mount Cammerer Trail, Snake Den Ridge Trail, and Low Gap Trail are closed to facilitate repaving the campground. Although trailhead access from within the campground is closed, these trails will remain open and hikers can access them via connecting trails from the nearby Picnic Area parking lots.
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 Campsites 6, 10, 13, 21, 28, 34, 36, 37, and 84
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Mollies Ridge Shelter
• Mt Collins Shelter
• Mt Le Conte Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter
• Abrams Falls Trail
• Crooked Arm Ridge Trail (lower portion)
• Gabes Mountain Trail
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Little River Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls area)
Backcountry Campsites and Shelters Closed
• Backcountry Campsites 75, and 113
• Russell Field Shelter
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.
• 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 — 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
• Backcountry Campsite #26 (low flow)
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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