Sevier County, TN – (WOKI) – A contingency plan from the National Park Service has outlined some of the steps parks like the Great Smoky Mountains are taking as the federal government sees its first shutdown since 2018.
According to the September 2025 version of the Department of the Interior National Park Service Contingency Plan for a Potential Lapse in Appropriations, like a government shutdown, accessible areas will generally remain open to visitors.
Accessible areas are defined as park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials.
The Smokies’ website lists Cades Cove Loop Road, picnic area, visitor center and Sugarlands Visitor Center and other popular spots in the park, as closed. For a full list of closures, visit https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
Sevier County officials say they are working with the State of Tennessee and State of North Carolina, local cities and other local counties including Blount County and the Cherokee Nation to coordinate funding to ensure the park remains open to support local economies.
