Here’s What You Need to Know About What’s Open (& What’s Not Open) in the Smoky Mountains
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Updated January 8, 2025: Should I reschedule my visit to the Smokies after Hurricane Helene?
Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is going to look different for a while after massive flooding caused unfathomable damage from the national park to Western North Carolina. If you’re considering a visit of your own, we want to help you understand what’s open, what’s closed, where to go, and where to avoid.
Western North Carolina took the brunt of the storm, with an initial warning in the aftermath that all roads should be considered closed.
What warnings didn’t accomplish, nature did, as part of I-40 was washed away at the North Carolina/Tennesse state line on the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Asheville and the collection of smaller towns in Western North Carolina were hit the hardest by the flooding related to three days of rain around Hurricane Helene.
The Tennessee side wasn’t unscathed, with serious issues on the east side of the national park and communities near the Tri-Cities.
Let’s look at each section of the Smokies and travel resources one at a time.
Check Road Conditions Before You Go
Initially, reports stated that more than 400 roads in Western North Carolina were damaged or destroyed. We now know that number is up to 7,000 roads and bridges.
The most impactful is probably the washout of I-40 near the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines. In late October, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said the earliest possible opening date would be January 4.
Interstate 26 was also impacted, but at least one lane is now open in both directions.
Bookmark the sites or download the apps for Tennessee’s Road Conditions and North Carolina’s Road Updates. One update we want to mention as of November 1 is that most live cameras are working again, giving you a chance to see the road before you travel.
If you prefer to call, dial 511 while you’re in Tennessee or North Carolina. You can also call from out of state. For North Carolina, that number is (877) 511-4662, and for Tennessee road conditions, dial (877) 244-0065.
Within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can check the alerts page for the most recent road conditions and closures. Call (865) 436-1200 to get road conditions by phone. You can check on Newfound Gap, Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road on the X account for Smokies Road Info.
What’s Open? Tennessee
Most of the major damage was limited to the eastern edge of the park and far east Tennessee. Those worst-hit counties include Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.
That puts most of Tennessee, including Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville in the clear.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
RESOURCES:
The most important thing to note when planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the impact the storm had on Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee, and Big Creek areas. Expect longer-term closures in these areas.
It’s worth emphasizing safety guidance while driving Newfound Gap Road due to the challenges of commercial traffic. Semi-trucks are not allowed on this twisty, winding, and steep road, but vehicles keep trying to “cut through” with I-40 closed.
“Since the storm, the park has turned around over 1,000 commercial vehicles trying to enter the park and responded to multiple incidents involving large commercial trucks.” – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, October 25
The park has done an excellent job of stopping vehicles, but it’s impossible to catch them all.
More popular areas like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail are open, but some of those will be impacted by the seasonal closures that aren’t related to Hurricane Helene.
Use the resources listed above to check any road, trail, or campsite you wish to visit. Be prepared for even easy hikes to be more challenging with the potential for downed trees, debris, or other types of storm damage.
The best advice is to talk to a ranger before your hike and ask about trail conditions or alternate options.
NOTE: In the summer of 2024, the Kuwohi name was restored to the highest peak in the Smokies, formerly known as Clingmans Dome. That means the road, visitor’s center, and destination are now referred to as Kuwohi in all NPS publications and local maps.
Blue Ridge Parkway
RESOURCES:
- Blue Ridge Parkway NPS Alerts
- Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook
- Park Phone Number: 828-298-0398
Nearly 80 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway were closed before the remnants of Helene arrived, with the closure expanding to all of North Carolina and part of Virginia in the immediate aftermath.
We’ve been pleasantly surprised to see the progress being made on this famous stretch of road, which is the busiest of the entire National Park Service system.
By mid-October, the first 200 miles from Shenandoah National Park to Sunbelt Road in Virginia were open. By the end of the month, several smaller sections between milepost 200 and Great Smoky Mountains National Park were opened.
Above-average winter weather conditions led to many more closures and possible construction delays into spring or summer. Check road closures and status updates on the resources we’ve listed above.
Also, if a section of the road is closed, any trailhead or vantage point is off-limits to skiers or hikers.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is designed to have limited exits and only natural surroundings throughout the length. The entrances and exits (and associated closures) will be clearly marked. The NPS has done an excellent job of updating social media with new section openings.
Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Flooding Impacts
RESOURCES:
After Helene passed through the Smokies, the Tennessee cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg were surveyed and deemed safe to stay open.
At the start of 2025, the biggest challenge was for anyone coming from the east and navigating the detours around I-40 and in Western North Carolina.
Dollywood closed for just one day during the storm and has been operating since. The storm did not impact other popular spots like Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg SkyPark.
Cocke County – The Adventure Side of the Smokies
RESOURCES:
On the Tennessee side of the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Cocke County. This area was the hardest hit of all the Tennessee counties, especially from Cosby east to the North Carolina state line.
The communities of Newport and Hartford will face a long road to recovery. Before considering staying there, reach out to local leaders to get more information about the rebuilding process.
We can tell you that by Halloween, Newport was back to holding community events while storm cleanup continued.
Hartford is eyeing the spring rafting season, with massive flooding impacts possibly posing big challenges due to a lack of road accessibility.
“We’re hoping we can start to spur those conversations so we can in turn know what 2025 looks like and how to plan best for our businesses,” Pigeon River Permittees Association Secretary Lacy Bramlett told WVLT News.
If you’re looking for whitewater rafting, you should know there are plenty of vendors in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley, and Townsend, too.
Erwin, Tennessee
RESOURCES:
If you saw the video of people trapped on the roof of a hospital with flooding all around, that was in Erwin, Tennessee, in Unicoi County. It’s part of the Tri-Cities metro area, including Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol.
Erwin is also where two bridges over I-26 were destroyed by floodwaters on the Nolichucky River. That interstate is also one of the main routes to get into Asheville.
By late October, one lane in each direction of the interstate had opened. Check the map before you go, but expect access between mile markers 39 and 40. Commercial traffic and wide loads should follow the detour signs.
Wears Valley/Townsend
Over on the “Quiet Side of the Smokies” in Wears Valley and Townsend, everything is open for business. This is another area that escaped relatively unscathed after the remnants of Hurricane Helene moved through.
The Foothills Parkway East near Crosby opened in November. The much longer and more scenic western section of the Foothills Parkway from Wears Valley to Chilhowee wasn’t impacted.
What’s Open? North Carolina
In the days following the devastation, Western North Carolina, west of I-77, was listed as closed for business, recreation, and travel. A new interactive map can help you see what areas are open and which remain closed.
The non-essential travel ban was lifted in late October, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper sent this message to anyone considering a visit, “Tourism is a critical part of Western North Carolina’s economy, and there are still many wonderful spots in the region open and accepting visitors.”
To get information by phone, call the Visit North Carolina Call Center at 800-847-4862.
Cherokee
RESOURCES:
Near the Oconaluftee Visitors’ Center at the southern terminus of Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee is home to the Eastern Bank of Cherokee Indians. Their community is on sovereign land known as the Qualla Boundary.
While the community sustained damage, efforts were made to make things as normal as possible, including the 112th Cherokee Indian Fair. The only challenge about visiting Cherokee is that you have to drive around the western edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to get there.
Use the NC 511 website to check road conditions, but it’s worth noting that by November 1, all regions west of Canton were listed as “Open to Visitors” on the interactive travel map.
Bryson City
RESOURCES:
Swain County was prepared for the worst, and while Bryson City saw some flooding, it largely escaped the worst of the worst.
Many attractions were closed in the days following the storm, but ongoing efforts had most places up and running within the week. You can see the link above for travel advisories, which is a great resource to use before planning a trip.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad closed for one day during the storm but resumed operations the following week.
Nantahala National Forest closed during and after the storm. As of 2025, Nantahala is open again.
Waynesville
RESOURCES:
We initially told you to avoid Waynesville as the city got hit hard. Safety was such a concern that a curfew was put into place.
However, by mid-October, the city was hosting festivals and Halloween events.
Haywood County also posted a link to businesses open throughout the area, which will be helpful for anyone planning a holiday visit.
Maggie Valley
RESOURCES:
Downtown Maggie Valley is also open for business. City leaders send the message, “Yes, you’ll find Maggie Valley waiting for you, with open arms. While we remain cognizant of the impact Hurricane Helene has had on our region, work continues to be done but your visit will help our communities continue to rebuild.”
Of course, it’s wise to check the Haywood County Emergency Services Facebook before planning a trip. At the same time, you don’t need to avoid Maggie Valley or Haywood County.
Canton
RESOURCES:
Canton is one of the cities that has improved the most since the September disaster. Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers initially said, “The last time western North Carolina experienced a flood like this was in the book of Genesis and Noah.”
Even as city leaders and residents are still cleaning up the mess and making repairs, you are welcomed and encouraged to visit as a way to help in those efforts.
“Travel and tourism is the No. 1 driver of Haywood County’s economy, so it is also going to be the No. 1 driver in helping us recover from Helene,” Corrina Ruffieux, executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.
Asheville Flooding Impacts
RESOURCES:
Ashville’s resiliency in the face of this disaster is nothing short of inspirational. Initially, the fun, artsy, adventurous city was Ground Zero of the devastation in Western North Carolina.
Downtown Asheville escaped major damage, but Biltmore Village, Swannonoa, and the River Arts District are still facing an uphill battle.
The Asheville metro area will open in stages, with the Biltmore re-opening to guests in early November. City leaders ask that you visit “respectfully, with heart and patience.”
“We are filled with hope and heart as music venues begin to turn on stage lights and holiday events take shape.”
The Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest opened in mid-October, with several roads still closed to traffic. You can check updates on the Forest Service website before visiting.
Across rural Buncombe County, progress is steady but slow. By early 2025, the main focus was on debris cleanup.
“This isn’t a sprint; it will be a marathon as we recover from this disaster,” Buncombe County Manager Avril Pender added during a news conference.
Updates are posted on the county’s Facebook page.
West Carolina State Park Closures
We have an important update on state parks in Western North Carolina, which were all initially closed through October 31.
All but three parks are open in 2025 (winter and spring, weather permitting). That includes Stone Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, New River State Park, and Elk Knob.
As of the start of 2025, the following parks are still facing long-term closures:
- Chimney Rock
- Mount Mitchell (highest peak in North Carolina)
- South Mountains
Chimney Rock/Hickory Nut Gorge
RESOURCES:
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the initial days after the storm was the village of Chimney Rock, where the heart of the Hickory Nut Gorge went from picturesque to post-apocalyptic within a few hours.
The swollen Broad River that carved the gorge cut a path of destruction from Chimney Rock to Lake Lure.
The steep features that created the tourism destination ultimately boxed in the flood waters, ripping out roads and buildings along the way. That includes the destruction of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.
By the holiday season, relentless work was ongoing to clean up and start planning for the future. In the middle of it all—one of the most heartwarming scenes you could imagine. A memory Christmas tree was lit up with more than 3,000 people in attendance. Ornaments included debris from the storm and special mementos.
At the start of 2025, Mayor Peter O’Leary penned his thoughts, stating in part, “2025 starts with hope and the feeling that this is the year of recovery for Chimney Rock Village and Hickory Nut Gorge. I think we will look back on 2025 as an amazing year when the new Village started to rise from the muck and debris to become the future, even better Chimney Rock Village. I can see it, and you will soon start to see it, too.”
Indeed, it will reopen. Just give them time.
Deli owner Derek Hennessey told WSOC-TV, “The life in Chimney Rock is strong, like the rocks. Boulders may be moved, but we will come back together.”
Key Takeaway of What’s Open in the Smokies
We put together this guide in early 2025, hoping to give you as much updated information about what to expect as a fan of the Smokies, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Southern Appalachia. The region’s recovery efforts are ongoing, with rebuilding hopefully soon following.
We’ve given you the resources you’ll need to keep up with the days, weeks, and months to come.
It’s hard to understand just how cataclysmic this damage is because there’s nothing to compare it to. It’s a good thing that nothing compares to the tenacity and love of the Smokies and Blue Ridge region, either. Everyone wants to rebuild. It’s just going to take some time.