Great Smoky Mountains alerts

Hurricane Helene damage has restricted backcountry trail access; avoid damaged crossings and observe trail-specific limits.

• Big Creek Trail is open only to hikers and equestrians for its first two miles; it is closed beyond Mouse Creek Falls because of significant trail damage, and campsites 36 and 37 cannot be reached from this trail.
• On Swallow Fork, a footlog and the large bridge between the trail and campsite 37 are out; fording this crossing may be high-risk during rain.

Check current trail closures and cautions before hiking.

Laurel Falls Trail and the Fighting Creek Gap Road section of Sugarlands Mountain Trail are closed during trail rehabilitation; choose another route or waterfall.

• Laurel Falls Trail is closed from its Fighting Creek Gap Road trailhead to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails; Sugarlands Mountain Trail is closed from its trailhead to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail.
• During work on Laurel Falls’ lower viewing platform, crews encountered different geotechnical conditions than anticipated, requiring design modifications; the park anticipates Laurel Falls will reopen sometime in 2027.

Check current trail closures before hiking.

Bullhead Trail is closed Monday through Thursday, excluding federal holidays, through November 19, for rehabilitation work.

• Plan another hike during weekday closures; the park is continuing trail rehabilitation with Friends of the Smokies.

Check current trail closures before hiking.

Scott Mountain Trail is closed between campsite 6 and Schoolhouse Gap.

• Use another route for that section; campsite 6 remains open.

Check current trail closures before hiking.

Straight Fork Road and the one-way Heintooga Round Bottom Road are closed.

• Straight Fork’s 2026 season is listed as TBD due to Hurricane Helene impacts. Heintooga Round Bottom connects Balsam Mountain Picnic Area with Straight Fork, so access via these roads is unavailable.

Check current park road conditions before traveling.

Carlos Campbell Overlook on Newfound Gap Road is temporarily closed while crews assess cracks in the pavement and sidewalk; do not stop there until it reopens.

• The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will reopen it after completing their assessments and any needed repairs.

Check current trail and facility closures before traveling.