Great Smoky Mountains National Park resumed full operations beginning this morning, despite the federal government shutdown. This effort is made possible through a partnership among local and state governments, as well as the Friends of the Smokies and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
In anticipation of the federal government shutdown, Sevier County, the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, began working together on a plan to provide financial support to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park fully operational in the event of a federal government shutdown. Once the shutdown commenced on Wednesday, October 1, the local and state partners began discussions with the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service.
As of 12:01 AM this morning, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fully open and operational, per an agreement with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, and Sevier County, Tennessee. Under the agreement, areas that were previously closed, such as Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Cades Cove Loop Road, Visitor Center, and Picnic Area, will be open and operational beginning this morning. Importantly, this funding also ensures that staff are on duty to service restrooms, respond to visitors in need, and provide essential services to protect wildlife during this peak visitor season. Per the terms of the agreement, local and state partners will fund $61,703.18 each day to ensure full operations of the national park. Additionally, the national park will fund remaining daily operational costs through recreation fee revenue, which includes revenue from campgrounds and parking tags.
“It is disappointing that the federal government has once again failed to prevent a shutdown that puts our national parks and communities at risk,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “Thankfully, our state and local partners have stepped up once again to ensure Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains open. The park is a vital part of our regional economy, and closing it during peak fall season is simply not an option. We are proud to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will come to enjoy the Smokies in the weeks ahead.”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains the most visited national park in the United States. A recent National Park Service report shows that in 2024, the park welcomed approximately 12.2 million visitors who spent more than $2 billion in communities near the park. That spending supported thousands of jobs in gateway areas and provided a cumulative benefit of more than $2.8 billion to the local economy.
Visitors who have planned trips to the Smokies this fall, as well as those considering a visit, are encouraged to come and enjoy the beauty of the season. Fall in the Smokies is one of the most popular times of the year, and the park and surrounding communities look forward to welcoming guests from across the country.
Sevier County and the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Pittman Center extend special thanks to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty, U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger, State Senators Jessie Seal and Steve Southerland, State Representatives Andrew Farmer and Fred Atchley, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell for their leadership and advocacy at the state and federal levels. Additionally, a special thank you to Great Smoky Mountains National Park leadership for their hard work and coordination throughout this process.
