Officials: GSMNP to Resume Full Operations Beginning Saturday Despite Government Shutdown

Partnership will keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open

(The Center Square) – A partnership will keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park operating at full capacity beginning Saturday morning, officials in Tennessee's Sevier County said Friday.

Full operations to resume at Great Smoky Mountains National Park despite shutdown

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — Full operations at Great Smoky Mountains National Park will resume this weekend as state and local governments have come together to fund normal services. While some areas remained open after the shutdown began on Wednesday, the park will be fully operational beginning Saturday, October 4, through an agreement with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Sevier County. Local and state partners w…

Officials: GSMNP to resume full operations beginning Saturday despite government shutdown

According to an agreement, local and state partners will fund $61,703.18 each day to ensure full operations of the national park.

Government Shutdown is Impacting Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It’s no secret that I love the Great Smoky Mountains and try to spend as much time there as I can every year. The federal government shutdown obviously will impact visitors to the Smokies for an uncertain period. The Friends of the Smokies issued a statement Wednesday updating what has already been impacted at the park: “Cades Cove Loop Road, Cades Cove Picnic Area, Cades Cove Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Sugarlands Visitor Center a…