If Cades Cove or the Roaring Fork area is on your plan for the next few days, check the road status before you leave the hotel. Strong winds blew trees down across Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday, November 4, and the park closed three roads, including the Cades Cove Loop Road.
Which roads closed on November 4
The park posted each closure on its official X account as crews found trees across the pavement:
- Cades Cove Loop Road: Temporarily closed due to downed trees, posted Wednesday morning.
- Cherokee Orchard Road: Closed due to gusty winds and downed trees. This is the road above downtown Gatlinburg that leads to the Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap trailheads and to the start of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
- Parson Branch Road: Closed due to gusty winds and downed trees, posted Wednesday afternoon. Parson Branch starts from the back of Cades Cove.
WBIR reported that the park gave no estimated reopening time. A National Weather Service wind advisory was in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday, with gusts up to 55 mph expected, according to Knox News. When a visitor asked Wednesday evening whether Cades Cove had reopened, the park replied that the road was still closed.
Downed trees usually mean crews have to cut and clear before cars can go back through, so these roads can reopen at different times. We’ll keep an eye on it, but the park’s own updates are always the quickest way to know.
How to check before you drive
- Look at the park’s current conditions page on nps.gov, which links to road, trail and facility closures.
- Check the park’s X account, @GreatSmokyNPS, where closures and reopenings are usually posted first.
- Call the park at 865-436-1200 if you’re not sure.
- If you’re heading for the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, remember that you reach it by way of Cherokee Orchard Road, so if that road is still closed, so is your way in. Our Roaring Fork post has more on the drive.
If Cades Cove is still closed when you visit, Little River Road between Sugarlands and Townsend and Newfound Gap Road over the mountains are both year-round roads, and both are lovely this time of year. Even on open roads, watch for limbs and leaves on the pavement after a windy day.
More Cades Cove and seasonal road dates coming up
- Sunday, November 8: The Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to cars Sunday morning for the Loop Lope race. Our Loop Lope post has the times.
- Monday, November 9: Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road close for the season at sunset, according to the park’s seasonal road update. If the wind closure lasts until then, Parson Branch may not reopen before its seasonal closing. Our post on the two back roads covers both.
- Sunday, November 29: Kuwohi Road, Little Greenbrier Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close for the season at sunset. The park notes that weather can close any of them sooner.
Late fall is a wonderful time in the Smokies, with thinner crowds and long views through the bare trees. A quick road check before you go is all it takes to keep your day on track.