GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK TO FULLY REOPEN TOMORROW
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is set to fully reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to an agreement between the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Sevier County. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters expressed disappointment in the federal government’s failure to prevent a shutdown that threatens national parks and local communities, emphasizing the park’s critical role in the regional economy during the peak fall season.
He highlighted the collaboration with state and local partners to keep the park accessible for the hundreds of thousands of expected visitors. Governor Bill Lee also confirmed on Thursday that the park, America’s most visited, would remain open, crediting the partnership with local leadership and the Trump Administration. Since the shutdown began on October 1, areas such as Cades Cove Loop Road, picnic areas, and visitor centers, including Sugarlands, have been closed.
Sevier County officials, alongside Tennessee, North Carolina, Blount County, local cities, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have coordinated funding to ensure the park stays open to support local economies. For a complete list of closures, visit the National Park Service website.
