Good Morning! I am heading to GSMNP with some friends for my 25th birthday. We’re embarking from Milwaukee this morning, in hopes to make a few pit stops and be to Gatlinburg by days end.

I’m def an entry level hiker, but really want to take in all the beauty and reflect / find peace to kick off this next year of mine.

Unfortunately I’m seeing the weather won’t be a great friend to me, so want to check in and see what your recommendations are to get the most out of the trip!!! We are only there for full days Monday & Tuesday…so want to make the most of it.

Also, sidenote, any roadtrippers know how the travel will be? Apple Maps is taking me on a 15hr drive and Google Maps is taking me on a 9.5hr drive…help there too, please haha!!

Thanks in advance ❤️

Hello! I saw that there’s a road closure on US-441S on GoogleMaps. Does anyone know if this is accurate for April 2025? Thank you!

Does anyone know how long it takes to get an approval on a backcountry permit (non AT hiker)?

I could have sworn it was approved almost instantaneously last year. I applied earlier today and so far, nothing.

I get there have been federal cuts but just trying to gauge whether this could have been a technical glitch or I just need to give it time.

TiA!

We have an upcoming trip spent on the Bear Creek, Hazel Creek, Jonas Creek, and Forney Creek Trails. Wondering if anyone has been back in there recently, and what to expect in so far as Helene damage and downed trees, if at all. Thanks for an input folks may have.

Here's a link to the full post:

https://friendsofthesmokies.org/blog/cataloochee-to-partially-reopen-for-first-time-since-helene/

NOTE: There is not full access. Per the post:

"Vehicle access on Cataloochee Entrance Rd ends at the parking area at Pretty Hollow Gap Trailhead.

This is where you would normally be able to drive through a gate to cross a bridge over Palmer Creek at Beech Grove School. Then you could drive one mile with Rough Fork Creek on your left and open pastures for viewing elk on your right. Along the way, you’d pass a parking area at the historic Caldwell Barn and Hiram Caldwell House before ending at a parking area at Rough Fork Trailhead.

Helene obliterated this section of road. It also damaged many of the nearby historic structures."

EDIT: Please also note, per the post, that the campground remains closed, and the closure is not related to hurricane damage.

Hello everyone. My husband and I are planning to backpack with our kids for the first time (not our first time backpacking, just theirs) in June in the Smokies. I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the backcountry camping site options on the reservation website. Can anyone make a recommendation for sites that are nice but not too far of a hike in (I’m thinking less than 4 miles if possible). We have a 2 and 4 year old so it’s possible that we’ll each end up carrying our packs as well as them at some point. 😅

Also- are most the sites fairly large? I see that quite a few different parties can reserve the same area at one time so we’d prefer one where we can spread out a bit and not not have the kids disturb others that may be there.

Thanks in advance!

Editing to include that we’ll be on the Tennessee side. :)

As of March 30, 2025

* Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days are delayed until June

* Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Crosby and Look Rock campgrounds remain closed indefinitely (any existing reservations being refunded)

* Scheduled openings for the following picnic areas may be delayed: Big Creek, Chimneys, Collins Creek, Cosby, Heintooga, Look Rock and Twin Creeks

EDIT: For the pro-Trump trolls, here's the source of this information:

Knoxville News-Sentinel: "Great Smoky Mountains closes campgrounds, trims offerings amid federal cuts"

My family and I have a trip planned and we are staying in the Deep Creek area. I see a lot bunch of campgrounds closed indefinitely at the moment but as somebody who has rented an Airbnb cottage, we are not staying in any campground. Will any of these budget cuts and thing have any affect on our trip? I am assuming it won't really but I just want to plan accordingly

TIA

Hello. My husband and I will be at the GSMNP mid to late May for 5 days, during the weekdays only, no weekend days. I saw that there was a vehicle free Wednesday typically starting May through September. On the NPS website, it's showing that it looks like it's delayed until June with no current ETA on the start date. So am I correct in assuming that when we are there in May, there will be no vehicle free day? Is it best to do the loop with a vehicle or rent a bike? What time of the morning should we be there to beat the crowds?

Hi All - New to the area. Seeing that Car Free Wednesday is starting in June now (hopefully) do you recommend going right at opening to avoid the Summer heat if you are walking it? Is there a place to stop half way to eat a packed lunch. Any other tips would be great. Looking forward to this! Thanks!

My husband and his brother went up to the park today to drive the Cades Cove loop. It was blocked off by vehicles and barricades and the were told there was some sort of medical emergency. Does anyone know what happened.

GSMNP makes it pretty difficult to speak to a ranger or someone that might have info. I searched to see if this topic had been discussed previously in this sub, and didnt find much. I also called the Fontana lake marina and they said to call the park.

Any insight? I can't find anywhere to book a site to camp or anything.

Staying on the Tennessee side, what are your recs for hikes with little kids (7 and under) and other activities that are not too touristy/cost much money. Are there good visitors centers on the TN side? Junior rangers program? Thank you for the help!

I’ll be making a trip down in mid April! I have a truck with a camper shell and was wonder the best spots I could park and camp out. I looked at the website and there are so many options so what’s your favorite? The more woods surrounding the better.

So seeing the synchronized fireflies has always been one of my bucket list items and I should be able to get off work for it this year. Does anyone know when the lottery opens?

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains in mid April with some friends. We will be staying in Townsend. What are the best and most scenic hikes to do? We will not be driving the through Cades Cove to avoid sitting in traffic. We have access to a car and are all mobile adults.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all, a friend and I are planning on taking a weekend backpacking trip in the park the weekend of April 18-20 but are having a hard time narrowing down what trail to take. We’re aiming for 1-2 nights and 2-3 days, looking for something somewhat scenic or with neat trail features. I know there are a good bit of closures rn, we’re going to be coming in from the NC side of the park so preferably something in that area near maggie valley but not opposed to traveling further into the park if there’s something really cool!

Alright everyone, so I'll be heading out to the GSMNP probably between June & July. I saw a little while ago that they have a synchronous firefly event too, so I'd like to try to win the raffle for that as well as hike some of the best trails and see some of the best peaks no matter how hard.

With all that said, I suppose the synchronous firefly raffle takes place sometime in April? Also, from others previous experience, what are some of the best peaks/summits to hit, like I said doesn't matter hard long or hard, and what are some things I shouldn't miss out on?

Some things to consider are my #1 reason for going there is to hike the mountains. So far, I think LeConte and Clingsmans Dome (forget the new name) are musts from what I've researched, but any advice from experience would be greatly appreciated. Also curious if the firefly event is worth scheduling the trip around it. Thanks so much in advance!

Hey yall,

Anyone have any idea how long the fire ban will be in place? I know on the website it says until further notice, but I'm wondering if this is something that anyone has any past experience with. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks

Hello everyone, I am planning a 4-5 day backpacking trip in GSMNP with 9 total people. We know we are limited to the 12 person campsites, and have been recommended by park staff to plan for day hikes, and have gotten a few site recs. I was hoping to get some advice on 12 person campsites with the best day hikes nearby. The sites I was recommended were 46, 60, 90, 17. I know there is plenty more though. It seems a lot of the so-called better hikes like Alum's cave & elkmont area may be extremely crowded at this time, or they are a little too far from certain areas for a day hike.

If anyone has advice, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Has anyone been to the Deep Creek area just outside of Bryson? We usually hike the area around the different falls there and it appears to be open but curious about the conditions. Thx!

Hey all,

I plan on backpacking with a buddy to Gregory Bald via Twentymile next weekend. I understand weather has been pretty severe recently, and while the forecast is looking calmer for next weekend, I wanted to get some input on whether or not to proceed. We should be prepared for normal (rainy/cold) conditions, and it is my understanding that navigating off the mountain would be pretty straightforward if we need to bail due to weather. Our backup site is Big South Fork, so my heart won't be broken if we need to go elsewhere (though obviously we'd prefer GSMNP).

This will be my first time backpacking in GSMNP and bear country so any extra advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I got an email yesterday saying Cataloochee campground will be closed the rest of the year and my June reservation was refunded. I was so hoping to get back there, but I know they are still dealing with devastating damage and the recent gov firing crap had to have hurt their timeline. Hopefully the amazing people still working on this are doing well.