Good news if the top of the Smokies is still on your fall list. Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road) is open again after the park closed it for forecast ice last weekend. As of Thursday morning, October 22, the road no longer appears on the park’s alerts or on its closures and cautions page. The park didn’t post a separate reopening notice, but the gate is no longer listed as closed, so you can drive up to the summit area again.
Getting to the top
Kuwohi Road leaves Newfound Gap Road near Newfound Gap and winds about 7 miles to the large parking area at the end, with pullouts for views along the way. The park describes it as a scenic two-lane paved road. From the lot, a paved trail climbs about half a mile past the visitor information center to the Kuwohi Observation Tower. The trail is short but very steep, so give yourself time and take breaks. The park’s Hike to Kuwohi page has more on the walk and a bypass trail option.
Parking fills up on nice fall days. The park says demand at Kuwohi often runs past capacity, so it helps to arrive early and have a backup stop in mind. Newfound Gap Overlook is close by if the lot is full. Never park with your wheels in the roadway. The park’s Kuwohi and Newfound Gap area page covers the details.
Dress for 6,643 feet
Kuwohi is the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet, and the park notes it often runs 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the lowlands. Clouds and cold wind are common up there in late October, even when Gatlinburg is sunny and mild. Bring a warm jacket and gloves, and don’t count on a clear view. Some mornings the tower sits right in the clouds.
Parking tag and closing date
You’ll need a parking tag for any stop longer than 15 minutes, and that includes the Kuwohi lot. The park lists a daily tag at $5 and a weekly tag at $15. Pricing can change, so check the park’s website for current rates before you go.
There isn’t much time left this year. Kuwohi Road closes for the season on November 29, according to the park’s seasonal road schedule, and it can close sooner at any time for snow or ice. Our post on Smokies campground and road closings has the other fall dates. Since the high country can ice over again on any cold night, check the park’s current conditions page the morning you head up.
Photo at top: the Kuwohi Observation Tower above the spruce-fir forest by Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized).