Friends of the Smokies joined a partnership of state and local entities that funded the reopening and full staffing of the national park from Oct. 4 through Nov. 2. During that time, all furloughed park employees returned to work, received paychecks, and continued their efforts to serve visitors and protect the park during the busiest tourism month of the year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts an average of more than 1.6 million visitors each October.

As the national park transitions to a relatively slower visitation season, the latest agreement from Nov. 3, through Jan. 4, 2026, will reduce the funded staff positions to those directly related to basic visitor services. Many park employees will be furloughed as the shutdown continues.

The official agreement to keep the park open is specifically between Sevier County government and the National Park Service. Under the arrangement, Sevier County pays the federal government directly, and the other partners pay their share to Sevier County. The funding effort has been supported by Sevier County; the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge; Blount County; the State of Tennessee's Department of Tourism; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Friends of the Smokies.

Under the Nov. 3 through Jan. 4 agreement, the total cost to keep the park open with basic services and reduced staffing is approximately $80,000 per week. The State of Tennessee will contribute $25,000 of that weekly total while the remaining seven partners provide $7,000 weekly. Fees collected by the national park for recreation and parking will also be used to fund essential operations.

Restrooms, campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers will remain open and accessible to the public on the park's normal seasonal schedule. Parking tags will still be available for purchase and are required for anyone parking in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes.