Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Permit System!
Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Permits
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that all park areas, except the Foothills Parkway and the Spur, are closed as of noon on Tuesday, March 24 through Monday, April 6, in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Visitors will be unable to obtain a backcountry permit until the park re-opens.
The park will continue to assess changing conditions in our region and work with local communities to extend or terminate closures, as appropriate to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners.
All access to the park, including the backcountry, ALL trails, roads and facilities, are temporarily closed in response to Executive Order 117 issued by NC Governor Roy Cooper, Executive Order 17 issued by TN Governor Bill Lee of TN, Executive Order 6 issued by Principal Chief Richard Sneed of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Graham County travel restrictions, Swain County closure request, Sevier County partial closure request, Bryson City, NC closure request, and Pigeon Forge, TN Safe-at-Home Advisory.
During the closure period, visitors can experience the park using digital tools including our social media platforms and website where near real-time views can be seen via park webcams at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. The NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor COVID-19 and to consider other operational adjustments accordingly. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm and social media.
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Permits v3.0.015 - Last Update: October 22, 2018 |