If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ve likely heard about the 2025 government shutdown. Many folks, especially those with upcoming trips planned to the Smokies, have the same question: is Smoky Mountain National Park open during the shutdown? With fall colors beginning to paint the landscape during this popular time of year, we want to share all the latest information. The good news: Smoky Mountain National Park has now fully reopened as of October 4th, 2025! Here’s everything you need to know:
Smoky Mountain National Park is Fully Open
As of October 4th, 2025, all areas of Smoky Mountain National Park have been reopened! You can still enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, waterfalls, and of course the stunning views when visiting the Smokies. Outside of the park, everything in the area is operating as usual so you can still experience everything that makes Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville so special.
After a few days of portions of the park being closed, it resumed all operations thanks to partnership between local and state governments, Friends of the Smokies, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In addition to all areas being open, funding ensures staff are on duty to clean restrooms, respond to emergencies and needs of guests, and provide essential services.
What To Do When Visiting the Smokies
Here are a few things you can do when visiting the Smoky Mountain National Park:
- Scenic Drives & Fall Foliage: The area’s top scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Foothills Parkway are open, meaning guests can still enjoy the spectacular display of fall foliage.
- Hiking Trails: The majority of hiking trails remain open for guests to explore when visiting the Smokies.
- Wildlife Viewing: Since trails remain open, you should still be able to spot wildlife inside of Smoky Mountain National Park.
- Surrounding Communities: The communities that surround the national park are unaffected by the government shutdown, so you can still enjoy your favorite attractions, restaurants, and stores in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville.
What Was Temporarily Closed in Smoky Mountain National Park?
Before the full reopening of Smoky Mountain National Park, a handful of areas were temporarily closed. They were:
- Cades Cove Loop Road, Visitor Center, & Picnic Area
- Chimneys Picnic Area
- Sugarlands Visitor Center
Unrelated to the government shutdown, some areas of the park are closed due to damage or rehabilitation projects. They are:
- Straight Fork & the one-way portion of Balsam Mountain Road
- Park Headquarters Road & part of the Gatlinburg Trail
- Old NC 284 from Cataloochee Creek to Cataloochee Valley
- Laurel Falls Trail
You can keep up with the status of these closures as well as any future closures by checking out the National Park Service Alert Page.
Why You Should Visit Smoky Mountain National Park
Visiting the Smokies is an experience that you won’t forget, particularly during fall! Autumn is a vibrant time of year as fall colors paint a masterpiece of natural beauty across the Smokies. There are endless areas to visit full of spectacular beauty that have a way of refreshing the soul during fall in the Smokies.
We’re thrilled that Smoky Mountain National Park is now fully operational despite the 2025 government shutdown! Are you excited for your upcoming trip to the Smokies? Be sure to learn more about some of the most popular places in Smoky Mountain National Park as you plan your visit!
