Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reopen portions of Cataloochee on April 4

Date:
April 3, 2025
Contact: Kendra Straub

Gatlinburg, TN - On April 4 by 12 PM EST, the National Park Service (NPS) will reopen portions of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee Valley has been closed since September 2024 following significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Within the park, Cataloochee Valley saw the worst impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Since September, the NPS has addressed the following damage throughout Cataloochee:

• Re-graveled sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House, and Cataloochee Group Camp Road.
• Completed emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn.
• Addressed many downed and hazard trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley.
• Assessed trail conditions across 60 miles of trails and completed some trail restoration.
• Addressed significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School.

The park continues to work to restore roads, trails and facilities throughout Cataloochee Valley.
Cataloochee roads The following roads will open to vehicles in Cataloochee on April 4:

• Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
• Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
• Old Highway 284. Visitors will be able to drive Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.

Visitors will be able to park near Beech Grove School and walk the rest of Upper Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road but should use extreme caution as the road is very uneven and has large ditches. This section of road saw the most significant damage from the hurricane and is not accessible to motor vehicles at this time. The park is currently evaluating options for rehabilitating the rest of Cataloochee Entrance Road.

Visitors are reminded that the entrance to Cataloochee Valley from Cove Creek Road is a winding, gravel road that has steep drop offs with no guard rails. The road is narrow, so drivers may be required to stop or back up their vehicles to allow oncoming motorists to pass. Horse trailer traffic may be encountered on the road. Please use caution when driving on this road.
The park plans to open Old Highway 284 open on April 4. Old Highway 284 is also a winding, gravel road. The park closes Old Highway 284 in cases of severe weather and/or heavy rain.

Trail conditions following Hurricane Helene
Most trails in Cataloochee Valley are open, but hikers should exercise extra caution as there are still downed trees, rutted or damaged sections of trail, exposed tree root balls, and landslides. Hikers should also plan for stream crossings on trails-most foot logs in Cataloochee Valley were lost during Hurricane Helene and have not been replaced. Several Cataloochee trails are closed to horses due to unstable trail surfaces and tree debris.

Please check the latest trail conditions and hiking safety tips on the park website as you plan your trip. Hikers are reminded that Cataloochee is in a remote area of the park where rescue will not be immediate. Hikers are responsible for their own safety.

Campgrounds and picnic areas
The campground, group campground, and horse camp in Cataloochee is currently closed. The park will open additional campgrounds if operational capacity allows.

Please visit our website for more information on current trail closures, as well as seasonal availability dates for frontcountry campgrounds, group campgrounds, horse camps, and backcountry campsites. Our current conditions page has the most up-to-date information on road closures.

--NPS--