Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
About the Authors Return to Hiking in
the Smokies |
2021
Trail and Campsite Closings Cooper
Creek Trail has been officially closed by the Park Service, and removed from
the list of trails for the 900-miler club. It is recommended that hikers
avoid this trail due to negative interactions with adjacent land owners. If you
have any edition prior to the 4th edition, updated (August 2020),
you can combine Hike 5 in the Deep Creek area with Hike 14, starting and
ending the loop with Mingus Mill Trail (16.4 miles total). Updated List of Trail Closures (as of August 28,
2021): The following trails will be closed for rehabilitation work from
May 10 – November 10, 2021: Abrams Falls – open Friday-Sunday; parking area also closed week
days Ogle Nature Trail Oconaluftee River Trail Fighting Creek Gap Nature Trail The 3.3 mile section of Bradley Fork trail between Hughes Ridge
and Cabin Flats trails will be closed Mon-Thurs for trail rehab work from
August 16 – Oct 28. This section will be closed to all horse traffic until
May 1, 2022 to allow for the proper recovery of the trail. • Scott Mountain is still closed due to storm damage, from
campsite 6 to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite 6 open, accessible from Cades Cove
area). It is unclear at this time if the Park Service will repair and reopen
this section of trail, or leave it closed permanently. • Gunter Fork opened, but caution urged due to landslides. The following trails have had footlogs
washed out, and in times of high water, the crossings might be very difficult
and/or dangerous: Rabbit Creek at Abrams Campground Boogerman/Caldwell Fork Trails – there is no plan at present
to replace these bridges Porters Creek Trail Deep Creek/Fork Ridge intersection Bear warnings
are in effect for Laurel Falls and Little River trails. Campsites 9,
57, 70, and 71 are closed due to bear activity. |
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