Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced temporary closures on a section of Little River Road for essential road maintenance scheduled for September 15 and 17, 2026. The closures will affect the stretch of road between the Townsend Wye and Elkmont, impacting travel through a significant portion of the park.
On Monday, September 15, the park will close the section of Little River Road from the Townsend Wye to the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. This closure is scheduled to occur from 7 a.m. to noon. During this period, visitors traveling between Townsend and Line Springs Road will be directed to use Wears Valley Road (US 321) as a detour.
Two days later, on Wednesday, September 17, another segment of Little River Road will be closed. This closure will extend from Metcalf Bottoms to Elkmont Junction, also from 7 a.m. to noon. For this closure, visitors needing to navigate between Line Springs Road and Pigeon Forge will be advised to utilize Wears Valley Road as their detour route.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park emphasized that popular destinations within the park, including Elkmont, Metcalf Bottoms, and Cades Cove, will remain accessible to the public during these maintenance periods. However, the park noted that accessing these sites may necessitate using the specified detours, and visitors should anticipate increased travel time due to the altered routes.
Travelers should be aware of specific vehicle restrictions applicable to a portion of the detour route. Motor homes, buses, and vans exceeding 25 feet in length are prohibited on Wear Cove Gap Road. Additionally, any passenger vehicles towing a trailer are also restricted from this segment. These prohibitions apply from the park boundary to, and including, the Metcalf Bottoms bridge on Wear Cove Gap Road.
The implementation of temporary closures on Little River Road for essential road maintenance is a practice first established by the park in 2024. These short-duration closures, which collectively total less than 10 hours, enable park staff to conduct vital upkeep efficiently and safely. Work typically performed during these scheduled closures includes the mowing and trimming of 24 miles along roadsides. Park staff also routinely repair 27 damaged road shoulder areas during these maintenance windows.
To stay informed about the latest developments regarding road closures and ongoing construction within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors are encouraged to check the park's official website for up-to-date information before planning their trips.
