Current Great Smoky Mountain National Park Status from Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene brought severe flooding and erosion, particularly impacting the North Carolina side of the park, including Cataloochee Valley, Big Creek, and Balsam Mountain. Many trails and roads remain closed, such as those in Cataloochee Valley and Balsam Mountain, where infrastructure like footbridges and roads have been washed out. While some trails on the Tennessee side are accessible, park staff continue to repair backcountry trails and historic sites, including the Caldwell Barn, which sustained structural damage. Visitors should consult the park’s website for updated trail conditions before hiking
Many park areas remain open, but certain campgrounds and visitor centers on the North Carolina side, like the Smokemont Campground and Kuwohi Visitor Center (formerly Clingmans Dome Visitor Center), are closed as repairs continue. Roads such as Foothills Parkway East and Newfound Gap Road are only partially open. For those traveling through affected areas, road conditions should be checked regularly for safety updates
