GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is inviting the public to review a Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Oconaluftee River Trail as planning continues for future improvements to the heavily used pathway.
The document will be available for public review through September 7 and outlines how the National Park Service evaluated flood risks and potential impacts associated with proposed upgrades to the trail.
The Oconaluftee River Trail is a 1.6-mile pedestrian and bicycle trail that links downtown Cherokee, North Carolina, with the park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum. According to park officials, more than 100,000 visitors use the trail each year.
Because sections of the trail are located within the Oconaluftee River floodplain, the National Park Service conducted an analysis to determine how proposed improvements could affect flood-prone areas and how future flood risks could impact the trail.
Park officials say the proposed upgrades are designed to strengthen connections between the national park and the gateway community of Cherokee while improving accessibility and visitor safety.
Plans also include repairing riverbank erosion and making enhancements intended to improve the overall visitor experience along the trail corridor.
The National Park Service gathered public input on the proposed improvements during the spring of 2026. After reviewing comments and feedback, officials will move forward with final design and compliance work and continue efforts to identify funding sources for construction.
The floodplain review is an important step in the planning process and allows the public to examine how environmental considerations are being addressed before any construction begins.
Anyone interested in reviewing the Floodplain Statement of Findings can access the document through the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at parkplanning.nps.gov/ORT through September 7.
Once the review period closes, the National Park Service will consider any additional feedback as it advances plans to enhance one of the most popular walking and biking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains region.
