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Archived Outdoors

Smokies trails see status changes

Smokies trails see status changes

Closures and openings have resulted in status changes for some trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Ramsey Cascades Trail is now open, having been closed since August 2016 when a foot log was damaged by a fallen tree. The log spanned a section of Ramsey Prong that was too dangerous for hikers to safely rock-hop across the river. 

The Little River Trail in the Elkmont area of the park is now fully open following a month-long closure as structures along the trail scheduled for demolition were removed. 

The Jakes Creek Trail in the Elkmont area will be closed from the trailhead to its junction with Cucumber Gap Trail through May 26, though it will be open during all weekends and backcountry campsites will remain accessible. 

The Rainbow Falls Trail will be closed from 7 a.m. Mondays to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays from May 8 to Nov. 16 for a trail rehabilitation project. The trailhead parking lot will also be closed through June 15 but will reopen afterward.