Cades Cove Closure Scheduled

Cades Cove Closure Scheduled. Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the Cades Cove Loop Road will close for three weeks in September, 2021 to resurface the roadway. Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies and hosts over two million visitors per year. The one-way road will be closed to all motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders from Tuesday, September 7, 2021 through Monday, September 27, 2021.  

The loop road was resurfaced in 2010. This pavement treatment will help to maintain the heavily used road and keep it in good condition.  A full closure is necessary to allow logistical movement of trucks and paving equipment along the narrow, one-way road.  

While the contract duration is expected to be two months, the actual asphalt paving operation will occur over the three-week closure period. Work also includes resurfacing the campground entrance road from Laurel Creek Road to the Cades Campground and the parking area adjacent to the Cades Cove Campground Store. The campground, picnic area, campground store, and horse stables will remain open and accessible throughout the duration of the paving project. 

Roadwork in Cades Cove along Forge Creek Road has been extended. Forge Creek Road has been closed to all use since November 2, 2020 to replace five bridges. The closure has been extended through Saturday, July 31, 2021. Due to the complete removal of the bridges and the use of large equipment to perform repair work, the road will continue to be closed to all use. The full closure prevents all access (by foot, bicycle, or horse) to the Henry Whitehead Place and Gregory Ridge, Gregory Bald, and Hannah Mountain trailheads. Gregory Bald is accessible from trails outside the Cades Cove area, including Wolf Ridge Trail, Long Hungry Trail, or a section of the Appalachian Trail.  

Source material: GSMNP