Current Road, Facility, Trail & Backcountry Cautions and Closures

Trail Closures, Warnings, & Cautions

For current backcountry trail and campsite information, please call (865) 436-1297.

Bear Closures & Warnings

Learn more about hiking in bear country.

Bears Closures—areas closed due to bear activity and cannot be accessed.

Trails

No closures due to bears

Shelters

No closures due to bears

Campsites

No closures due to bears

Bear Warnings—areas where bears are active, and extreme caution should be used.

Trails

No warnings due to bears

Shelters

No warnings due to bears

Campsites

No warning due to bears

Trail and Backcountry Cautions and Closures Due to Hurricane Helene Damage.

Cataloochee Area

Balsam Mountain Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. No significant storm damage was found from Heintooga to Gunter Fork Trail junction.The trail has not been assessed from Gunter Fork to the Appalachian Trail. Gunter Fork Trail is closed.

Big Fork Ridge Trail

Foot logs are out at Caldwell and Cataloochee Valley Road junction. No other significant damage.

Boogerman Trail

Hiking on this trail is not advised due to a deep water crossing. The first foot log on this trail, which was 55 feet in length, was washed away. This water crossing is typically more than two feet deep even when water levels are low.

Caldwell Fork Trail

Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away; numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path; and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

Hemphill Bald Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. From Double Gap to Polls Gap there is no significant damage. From Double Gap to Caldwell junction there are two sections of trail impacted by landslides; one root ball has torn up the trail tread. Closed to equestrians.

Palmer Creek Trail

Second foot log is gone. No other significant damage.

Pretty Hollow Gap Trail

Hikers should use extra caution. Trail/road is washed out from Little Cataloochee trail junction to campsite #39. Closed to equestrians.

Rough Fork Trail

First and third foot logs are out, extensive trail erosion from the first creek crossing to the junction with Woody house. No significant damage from Woody house to junction with Caldwell Fork. Closed to equestrians.

Big Creek Area

Big Creek Trail

Trail only open for first two miles to hikers and equestrians. Trail is closed beyond the first two miles at Mouse Creek Falls due to significant trail damage. There is no access to campsites #36 and #37 from the Big Creek Trail. Parking only available near ranger station and walk to trailhead is approximately ¾ mile. Due to a bridge being out north of campsite #37, hikers traveling between Swallow Fork Trail and campsite #37 must cross Big Creek. Big Creek may be impassable during high water. Hikers should use extreme caution when fording (crossing) Big Creek and do so at their own risk.

Gunter Fork Trail

Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away; numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path; and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

Swallow Fork Trail

This trail is closed to equestrians and other experienced hikers should use caution as the trail is not stable in some places. Hikers will need to cross an extremely challenging water crossing due to a missing foot log.

Backcountry campsite closures and cautions due to Hurricane Helene damage

Backcountry campsites #41 and #42 are closed.
Backcountry campsites #39 and #40 are open, but closed to stock.

Images of Hurricane Helene Damage on Caldwell Fork Trail

Other Trail Closures

Laurel Falls Trail

Closed as of January 6, 2025, for about 18 months of rehabilitation work. (Laurel Falls Trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails. For Sugarlands Mountain Trail, the trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail.)

Lower Mount Cammerer Trail

Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers who should use caution due to tread damage.

Hyatt Ridge Trail

Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

Enloe Creek Trail

Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

Camel Gap Trail

Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

Scott Mountain Trail

The trail is closed from campsite #6 to Schoolhouse Gap. Campsite #6 is still open.

Trail Cautions

Please note that the park's backcountry is managed as a wilderness area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of, however, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that still require caution. Always be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry and if trail conditions are not safe, turn back.

Park staff continue to assess trail conditions following Hurricane Helene, particularly on the eastern end of the park in both TN and NC. Most park trails are open; however, visitors are encouraged to check trail conditions on this page and/or talk to staff in the visitor centers or backcountry office.

Rough Creek Trail

Open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.

Bullhead Trail

Open but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.

Rabbit Creek Trail

The bridge where the trail crosses Abrams Creek is out. This is a wide water crossing that may be deep during high water events.

Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek

At certain times of the year Fontana Lake levels are lowered; during these times boat shuttles will need to drop/pickup occupants off at Ollie Cove instead of Hazel Creek. This will add 0.5 miles to the hike. When making reservations, ask the shuttle service for more information.

Road & Facility Delays or Closures

Some park roads may be closed. View a road closure map.

Carlos Campbell Overlook

This overlook on Newfound Gap Road is temporarily closed while maintenance crews assess cracks in the pavement and sidewalk. The overlook will reopen as soon as National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration crews make assessments and any needed repairs.

Mingus Mill

Temporarily closed for preservation and rehabilitation work.

Blue Ridge Parkway

For information about parkway closures, please call 828-298-0398 or visit the parkway's website.

Seasonal Closures

For information about seasonal closures please see these pages: Seasonal Road Closures and Seasonal Facility Closures.

Cave & Mine Shaft Closure

Entry into all caves and mine shafts is prohibited due to concerns about the spread of white nose syndrome among bats.