The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will reopen part of Cataloochee Valley on Friday.
After Hurricane Helene, downed trees and damaged roads caused parts of the park to be closed. In the park, Cataloochee Valley saw the worst impacts of Hurricane Helene and has been closed since late September.
Officials plan to open Old Highway 284, a winding gravel road, on April 4 by noon.
The following roads will open to vehicles in Cataloochee on April 4:
- Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School
- Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
- Old Highway 284
Some areas are not open to vehicles such as Upper Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road.
Visitors may park near Beech Grove School and walk the rest of Upper Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road. Officials say this section of road saw the most significant damage from the hurricane and is still being evaluated.
The National Park Service has cleared many downed trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley as well as assessed conditions on 60 miles of trails. Sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House, and Cataloochee Group Camp Road all needed new gravel.
The emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn and significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School have also been addressed.
Most trails in Cataloochee Valley are open, but officials recommend hikers “exercise extra caution” because of downed trees, damaged sections of trail, and landslides.
“Hikers should also plan for stream crossings on trails — most foot logs in Cataloochee Valley were lost during Hurricane Helene and have not been replaced,” according to a press release.
The campground, group campground, and horse camp in Cataloochee are still closed.
Here is more information on current trail closures and up-to-date information on road closures.
