The Smoky Mountains National Park is closing the Smokemont Frontcountry campgrounds, the Tow String Horse camp and access to hiking trails in the area from January 2nd until at least the end of February while water and sewer lines are installed in the area.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Utility Department workers in cooperation with the national park service bringing in almost 3-1/2 miles of new water lines and sewer lines that will be connected to the existing Cherokee, NC water and sewer lines already in service.
In what can be described as a win win scenario this construction project in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will save the park service from having to update the terribly outdated sewer plant and water treatment facility within the park serving the area while also allowing residents of the Qualla Cherokee Reservation the ability to connect to municipal water and sewer lines.
The projected cost of this project is around $2.4 million to be split between both the Great Smoky Mountains national park which will provide approximately $1.5 Million and the Eastern Band of Cherokee will provide the remaining $900,000. It has not been released by the park service as to who will foot the bill for any cost overruns.
Winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees far fewer visitors in the park and even fewer campers who are willing to brave the cold weather. Even though Smokemont is one of the only 2 frontcountry campgrounds that remain open year round, there were less than a dozen campsites being used this weekend. For those who brave the cold, the peace and quiet and additional privacy that camping on the winter provides are well worth bundling up.
While the Smokemont campgrounds remain closed, campers who wish to stay in developed campgrounds may still camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Cades Cove Campgrounds. For those who wish to camp in Smokemont in early March, it is advised to check with the park service ahead of time as any construction delays most likely due to bad weather.
The Great Smoky Mountains national park service press release started that Deputy Superintendent FitzGerald said, "While we regret having to shut down the campground this winter, we are very eager to get out of the water and waste water-treatment business. The Smokemont Sewer plant is old and would need substantial work to meet current water quality standards, so we can save money now, and over the long term, by connecting to municipal services."
Construction will begin shortly and you can already see markings on the pavement and stakes along Newfound Gap Road. In order to run the new water and sewer lines the park service is going to block off the bridges that take vehicles from Newfound Gap Road (441) over the Oconaluftee River to the Smokemont area. As a result of the bridge closing both hikers and equestrians will find that they will no longer to be able to reach the Bradley Fork or Tow String Trails via the Smokemont campgrounds.
The other bridge nearby along Newfound Gap Road to the Tow String area will have to remain open so that residents on the Tow String area of Qualla Cherokee Reservation can still enter and leave their community which has no other access to the outside.
