Cherokee National Forest officials announced the annual seasonal closures of certain roads to motorized vehicles on the northern portion of the forest to protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, and reduce road maintenance costs.
These seasonal road closures are from Sep. 11 to Dec. 20 on specific roads in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan, and Johnson counties. However, some of these roads are temporarily opened for short periods to provide seasonal public access for various uses including fall color viewing, hunting, and other uses.
Roads may be closed earlier than scheduled due to poor road conditions brought on by extreme weather conditions. These weather conditions may include freezing/thawing, extreme drought, fire danger, or storm damage. In some cases, roads sustain severe damage from vehicle use and are closed to protect the various resources.
Forest visitors are asked to leave all gates free of obstructions and to not block gates when parking. Hunters are reminded it is illegal to discharge firearms from or across a National Forest System Road. For additional information, contact the following Forest Service offices: Unaka Ranger Station, Greeneville, TN at (423) 638-4109; Watauga Ranger Station, Unicoi, TN at (423) 735-1500.
For information regarding hunting seasons and regulations, contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Region IV, Morristown, TN- Phone: 1 (800) 332-0900.
Cherokee National Forest
Unaka and Watauga Ranger Districts
Road Openings and Closings, Fall/Winter 2023-2024
The Forest Service announces a schedule of systematic road openings and closures through December 20, 2023. These roads are in the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area – Cherokee National Forest in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan, and Johnson Counties in East Tennessee.
Fall Road Openings
Roads open September 11 – December 20, 2023
Carter County
Moffett Laurel – NFSR 4331 – Open to second gate
Jenkins Mountain – NFSR 53102
Piney Grove – NFSR 53351 – Open to second gate
George Creek – NFSR 53301 – Open to second gate
Little Pond Mountain – NFSR 6034
Greene County
Greystone – NFSR 88 – Open from Round Knob Picnic Area to dead end
Rough Branch – NFSR 422A – Dead end at MP 2.6 due to road failure. No access to Shad Road (NFSR 422)
Johnson County
Parks Branch – NFSR 6049 – 1.0 mile to second gate
Robbins Hollow – NFSR 4052 – Open to 4.6 miles to second gate. In Bear Reserve.
Sullivan County
Pine Mountain – NFSR 4002 – From US Highway 421 to middle gate. From Wyatt Hollow side to second gate
Washington County
Ramsey Creek – NSFR 4355 – Spur (NSFR 4355a) is closed
Tellico Branch – NFSR 53711 – Open to second gate
Fall Road Closings
Carter County
Cedar Gap – NFSR 293A – Closed for timber sale
Griffith Branch – NSFR 5081 – Closed for timber sale
Sullivan County
Flatwoods – NFSR 87 – Closed for construction from MP 6.56 to MP 12.95 (Cross Roads)
Camp Tom Howard – NFSR 6099 – Closed for timber sale
Fishdam SE – NFSR 87A – Closed for construction
Fishdam NE – NFSR 87B – Closed for timber sale
Unicoi County
Unaka Mountain – NFSR 230 – Closed for construction starting Oct. 2
Winter Road Closings
Roads closed December 20 – March 18, 2024
Carter County
Frog Level – NFSR 50F
Holston Mountain – NFSR 5202
Mill Creek (Panhandle Road) – NFSR 56
Bitter End – NFSR 293
White Rock – NFSR 5314
George Creek – NFSR 53301
Cocke County
Wolf Creek – NFSR 96-1
Big Clifty – NFSR 404
Meadow Creek Mountain – NFSR 142
Weaver Bend Road – NFSR 209C
Rattlesnake – NSFR 3242
Greene County
Little Paint Creek – NFSR 31B
Old Forge (Jennings Creek) – NFSR 331
Shad Road – NFSR 422
Upper Rough Branch – NFSR 93D/93E
Firescald (Kennedy Cabin) – NFSR 358/358A
Johnson County
Gouge Tract (Colorado Gap) – NFSR 602101
Sullivan County
Little Oak – NFSR 87G
Unicoi County
Irishman’s Branch – NFSR 313
Little Mountain – NFSR 359
Unaka Mountain Road – NFSR 230
Long Branch/Dark Hollow – NFSR 4365
Washington County
Briar Creek (Pinnacle Mountain) – NFSR 188 – And all spurs
Rich Mountain – NFSR 190
Horse Cove Gap – NFSR 5352
The following National Forest System Roads are not scheduled to be opened due to resource or storm damage:
Sullivan County: Dogwood Bench (NFSR 4431)
Johnson County: Whetstone Branch (NFSR 124)
Unicoi County: Martin Creek (NFSR 410) and Rocky Branch (NFSR 4343)
Carter County: Cherry Flats (NFSR 50A) – Permanently Closed
