Cherokee National Forest officials announced the annual schedule for temporary disrupted access to motorized vehicles on the northern portion of the forest to protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs and public safety.
These disrupted road access are from Dec. 20 through March 18, 2025, 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. 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 at 1 (800) 332-0900.
Winter Seasonal Temporary Access Road Closures For Cocke and Greene Counties
Roads closed Dec. 20, 2024 – March 18, 2025
Meadow Creek Mountain, Road #142, Cocke County
Weaver Bend Road, Road #209C, Cocke County
Little Paint Creek, Road #31B, Greene County
Old Forge (Jennings Creek), Road #331, Greene County
Shad Road, Road #422, Greene County
Firescald (Kennedy Cabin), Road #358/358A, Greene County
Greystone, Road #88, Greene County, Open from Round Knob Picnic Area to dead end
Upper Rough Branch, Road #93D, Greene County
Rough Branch, Road #422A, Greene County, Dead end at MP 2.6 due to road failure. No access to Shad Rd (NFSR 422)
Cemetery Road, Road #93C, Greene County
Devils Kitchen, Road #93B, Greene County
Devils Kitchen Spur, Road #93E, Greene County
For road designations, please reference the Motor Vehicle User Map (MVUM) for additional information: Cherokee National Forest – Maps & Publications (usda.gov)
