Friends of the Smokies helps fund full reopening of Great Smoky Mountains National Park during federal government shutdown
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The nonprofit Friends of the Smokies will help pay to fully reopen Great Smoky Mountains National Park for one week during the ongoing federal government shutdown. The park will be fully open and operational from Saturday, Oct. 4, through Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Closures have been in effect since the start of the shutdown Oct. 1 for Cades Cove Loop Road, two visitor centers at Sugarlands and Cades Cove, and two picnic areas at Chimneys and Cades Cove. All will reopen Saturday.
Friends of the Smokies joins the State of Tennessee, Sevier County, Blount County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville to fund the resumption of full operations by park staff.
The leadership at Friends of the Smokies is proud to help ensure the national park is fully operational during a critical tourism season for gateway communities.
"Importantly, this funding ensures that staff are on duty for servicing restrooms, responding to visitors in need, and providing essential services to protect wildlife during this peak visitor season," said Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies.
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The State of Tennessee has agreed to provide $80,000 with all other entities contributing more than $45,500 each for the week. Some of the costs of operating the park are also offset by recreations fees from parking tags and campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Until the park fully reopens Saturday, the aforementioned closures remain in effect. Most roads, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and restrooms are accessible. There are welcome and visitor centers open at Oconaluftee, Kuwohi, Swain County, Gatlinburg and Townsend.
Check the park's Current Conditions page for the latest closures.
