Old man winter is leaving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Spring is just around the corner in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the campgrounds, picnic areas and horseback riding stables in the national park are all starting to open and the visitor centers are starting to extend hours.

Less than 2 weeks ago the Great Smoky Mountains were still seeing snow falling on the lower elevations as seen by the snow and ice in the picture of a daffodil in Cades Cove but now the daily highs are generally in the 50s and 60s and continue to climb although it is not impossible to get snow in the Smokies as late as May.

We have updated the Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains national park page with the most up to date information about developed campgrounds and backcountry sites in the GSMNP.

The is also some updated information on pricing, opening dates and handicapped accessibility on the Horseback Riding in the Great Smoky Mountains national park page.

Roadways and Picnic Areas around the Great Smoky Mountains national park that were closed for the winter area are also opening on a staggered schedule which can be found on the main Great Smoky Mountains national park information page.

Since weather in the Smokies is unpredictable, it is still possible to have road closures from snow and ice for the next 2 months. Strong windstorms can close roads due to trees being knocked down year round.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Winter Schedule Starts Today

The leaves are still on most of the trees in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and you can still hike in the park in a short sleeved shirt, but as of today the winter schedule starts for campgrounds, picnic areas, horse camps, visitor centers, and some roads in the GSMNP.

The winter closing schedule for the park phases in during the month of November with final closures such as Clingmans Dome taking place December 1st. Some of the visitor centers hours of operation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will change monthly and at Your Smokies we will keep you up to date.

• Cades Cove Parsons Branch Road to Route 129 closed for the winter on November 9th
• Cades Cove Rich Mountain Road to Townsend Tennessee closed for the winter on November 9th
• Cades Cove Campground becomes self-registration with a reduced number of available campsites for winter on November 1st
• Cades Cove Campground Store closed for the winter on November 1st
• Cades Cove Riding Stables is closed for winter on November 5th
• Cades Cove picnic areas will remain open through the winter
• Cades Cove Visitor Center November hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm


• Anthony Creek Horse Camp closed for the winter on November 12th


• Abrams Creek Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st


• Balsam Mountain/Heintooga Roads is closed for winter on November 1st
• Balsam Mountain campgrounds closed for the winter


• Big Creek Horse Camp closed for the winter on November 12th
• Big Creek Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st
• Big Creek picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• Cataloochee Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st
• Cataloochee Horse Camp closed for the winter on November 12th


• Chimney Tops picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• The road to Clingmans Dome is closed for the winter on December 1st


• Cosby Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st
• Cosby picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• Deep Creek Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st
• Deep Creek picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• Elkmont Campground is closed for the winter on December 1st


• Greenbrier picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• Look Rock Campgrounds closed for winter on November 1st


• Metcalf picnic areas will remain open through the winter


• Le Conte Lodge closed for the winter on November 20th


• Oconaluftee Visitor Center hours from November to April 8:30 am - 4:30 pm


• The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is closed for the winter on December 1st


• Round Bottom Horse Camp closed for the winter on November 12th
• Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road is closed for winter on November 12th


• Smokemont Campground becomes self-registration with a reduced number of available campsites for winter on November 1st
• Smokemont Riding Stable is closed for winter


• Smoky Mountain Riding Stables is closed for winter on November 25th


• Sugarland's Horseback Riding Stables is closed for winter on November 1st


• Sugarlands Visitor Center November hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm


• Tow String Horse Camp closed for the winter on November 12th

Roads in the national park other then those listed as closed above will stay open all winter long unless closed due to the weather causing unsafe conditions such as ice, excessive snow, extreme winds or downed trees.

If you are unsure if a road is open during or just after bad weather you should contact the national park service in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.