The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the United States, as it receives more than 10 million visitors every year. The National Park Service (NPS) is always working to keep the roads safe for the large volume of visitors. Read on to learn more about their most recent multi-year project and all the details about safety enhancements coming to the Gatlinburg Spur during the initial phase:
Where is the Gatlinburg Spur?
The Gatlinburg Spur is a 4.2-mile four-lane parkway connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fun fact: It is named after the popular accessory that early pioneers wore on their boots as they rode horses! Spurs were used to help guide the horses in the right direction.
This road brings many visitors to the Smokies every day. In fact, it handles up to 40,000 cars per day during peak season! The goal of the upcoming project is to make the Gatlinburg Spur safer and easier to navigate.
Anticipated Improvements
Here are some of the anticipated improvements to the Gatlinburg Spur:
- Paving Shoulders: The road will be smoother for visitors who need to pull over in the event of an emergency.
- Replacing Guardrails: Proper guardrails are an important feature in steep areas.
- Improving Gravel Pull-offs: Visitors will have better places to stop and enjoy the scenic views.
- Replacing Bridges: Later, the NPS will replace the bridges along the route and increase rockfall protection.
Road Closure Dates & Times
In order to make all these improvements, the NPS will need to implement some road closures on the Gatlinburg Spur. Starting in January 2026, the first phase of construction will include single-lane closures on weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm. These areas will not exceed 1 mile in length. They are hoping to have this first wave of improvements completed by mid-April. There will be no work done on weekends or federal holidays.
Pro Tip: During your visit, proceed with caution in work zones and keep an eye on the Smokies Road Info Page (@SmokiesRoadsNPS) on X for the most up-to-date information on closures. It is a good idea to come early and give yourself some extra time.
Ways to Avoid Traffic in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One way to avoid traffic while you’re in the park is by coming early in the morning. The park tends to be less crowded. The temperatures are also milder, making all your activities even more enjoyable! You can also plan a visit on rainy days. Just make sure you have proper gear, such as an umbrella and a waterproof jacket.
Another way to stay away from heavily congested areas is to explore the road less traveled! With these updates coming to the Gatlinburg Spur, you should check out the Wears Cove entrance to GSMNP, a secret entrance mostly used by the locals that bypasses Gatlinburg completely!
