Parks open for the season
Spring is here, and that means that most roads and facilities on the area’s many acres of public lands are either open or will open soon. Here’s run-down of opening dates for some of the region’s most popular areas.
• In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cataloochee Campground, Smokemont Campground, the Smokemont Riding Stable, and LeConte Lodge are already open. Balsam Mountain Road and Heintooga Ridge Road will open May 26, Big Creek Campground and Deep Creek Campground will open April 14, Balsam Mountain Campground will open May 26 and Big Creek Picnic Area will open April 14.
• On the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Inn & Restaurant is already open, the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center opens April 14 and Mt. Pisgah Campground opens May 5.
• In the Pisgah National Forest, Cataloochee Road is already open.
• In the Nantahala National Forest, Board Tree and Shingletree Branch roads will open at the end of April after timber crews finish working on areas adjacent to the roads. All other roads are open.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Always check for closures when planning a trip.
