Heading up Cherokee Orchard Road for the Roaring Fork area or a hike near Gatlinburg? Plan to keep your feet inside the car for now. As of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Cherokee Orchard Road to pedestrians because of bear activity.

What the Closure Means

You can still drive the road. According to the park’s Current Cautions and Closures page, everyone traveling on Cherokee Orchard Road between the park boundary and the Ogle Homesite has to stay inside their vehicle. That means no walking or jogging along the road, and no stepping out to snap a closer photo of a bear.

If you want to watch wildlife, you can pull into a designated pullout, but only if it’s more than 50 yards from the nearest bear and everyone stays in the vehicle. The park hasn’t said how long the closure will last; it’s tied to the bears’ behavior, so check the alerts page before you go.

Other Bear Closures and Warnings Right Now

Cherokee Orchard isn’t the only spot where bears are keeping rangers busy this fall. The park’s wildlife closures and warnings list currently includes:

• Twin Creeks Trail, which is listed under the park’s bear closures.
• Cosby Knob Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, which is closed. The park asks hikers not to stay there or even stop for a break or lunch.
• Backcountry campsites #5 and #70, closed for bear activity, plus #19 and #91, closed because their bear cable systems are down.
• Trillium Gap Trail, which carries a bear warning, so use extra caution if you’re hiking to Grotto Falls.

Why Fall Is Busy Bear Season

This time of year, black bears are eating everything they can find to fatten up for winter. The park says acorns and other nuts are especially important fall foods, and bears can nearly double their weight before they start settling into winter dens, usually between late October and mid-December. A hungry bear near a road full of visitors is how trouble starts, which is why the park is keeping people in their cars here.

Quick Bear Safety Reminders

• Stay at least 50 yards (150 feet) from bears. Getting closer on purpose, or close enough to disturb a bear, is illegal in the park and can lead to fines or arrest.
• Never feed wildlife, and put all trash in bear-proof containers or take it with you. The park warns that bears that learn to eat human food often end up being euthanized.
• Lock your car. The park notes that bears can open car doors.
• If a bear changes its behavior because of you, you’re too close. Back away slowly while facing the bear, and never run.
• Report unusual bear encounters to the park at (865) 436-1230, and call 911 in an emergency.

One More Trail Update: Laurel Falls Pushed to 2027

If you were hoping Laurel Falls Trail would reopen soon, the park now expects it to reopen sometime in 2027. Crews building the lower viewing platform ran into unexpected ground conditions that required design changes. The trail has been closed for rehabilitation since January 6, 2025, so pick another waterfall hike for this trip.

Check Before You Go

Bear closures can change from one day to the next. Before you head out, check the park’s Current Cautions and Closures page, the Current Conditions page, and the latest posts from @GreatSmokyNPS. The park’s Black Bears page has more on staying safe in bear country.

Give the bears their space, enjoy the view from the car, and have a great fall trip to the Smokies.