Trail and Backcountry Closures, Warnings & Cautions
For current backcountry trail and campsite information, please call (865) 436-1297.
Bear Closures—areas that are closed due to bear activity
Please read What if I see a bear? for important safety information about bears.
- Trails: None due to bears
- Shelters: Derricks Knob Shelter
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Campsites: 60
Bear Warnings—areas where bears are active
Please read What if I see a bear? for important safety information about bears.
- Trails: Bullhead Trail
- Shelters: Mount Le Conte Shelter, Mollies Ridge Shelter
- Campsites: None due to bears
Other Trail and Backcountry Closures
- The park is still assessing storm damage and may post more trail and backcountry closures.
- Oconaluftee Area trail closures due to Hurricane Helene damage:
- Cataloochee Area trail closures due to Hurricane Helene damage:
- Balsam Mountain Trail
- Big Fork Ridge Trail
- Boogerman Trail
- Caldwell Fork Trail
- Cataloochee Divide Trail
- Hemphill Bald Trail
- Little Cataloochee Trail
- Long Bunk Trail
- McKee Bridge Trail
- Mt. Sterling Trail
- Palmer Creek Trail
- Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
- Rough Fork Trail
- Big Creek Area trail closures due to Hurricane Helene damage:
- Big Creek Trail
- Gunter Fork Trail
- Swallow Fork Trail
- Camel Gap (closed to equestrians)
- Backcountry campsite closures due to Hurricane Helene damage: 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 47, 48
- Closures due to Flint Gap Fire impacts:
- Backcountry campsite 14
- Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Rabbit Creek Trail
- Lead Cove Trail is closed to horse traffic due to trail damage.
- Lower Mount Cammerer Trail is closed to equestrian traffic but open to hikers until trail repairs are completed.
- Scott Mountain Trail is closed from campsite #6 to Schoolhouse Gap. Campsite #6 is open.
Trail Cautions
Please note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry.
- Park staff continue to assess trail conditions following Hurricane Helene, particularly on the eastern end of the park in both TN and NC. Most park trails are open, however visitors are encouraged (as always) to check trail closures on this page and/or talk to staff in the visitor centers about current trail conditions.
- Rough Creek Trail—open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.
- Bullhead Trail—open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.
- Rabbit Creek Trail—the bridge where the trail crosses Abrams Creek is out. This is a wide crossing that may be deep during high water events.
- Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek when lake levels are low are from the Ollie Cove Trailhead on the Hazel Creek embankment. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about a half-mile to the hike. Trail signs are in place to direct you from the Hazel Creek Trail and Lakeshore Trail intersection to Ollie Cove Trail that is one mile east on Lakeshore Trail from Hazel Creek.
