On the Open Roads in the Smokies 

Summer is upon us and the seasonal roads through the backwoods and the high country are (mostly) open for exploration

Spring is all but gone and summer is upon us? What’s that mean? It means it’s time to get into the Smokies and explore. Luckily, it also means all the seasonal roads in the Smokies are open and ready to be travelled. 

What are seasonal roads? In the Smokies, there are several roads that are only open in the warmer months. This is for a variety of reasons, mostly due to the possibility of winter weather making them too dangerous for drivers, especially for drivers unfamiliar with navigating steep mountain roads in the winter. 

But now that summer’s upon us – and barring any temporary closing due to severe weather – the seasonal roads in the Smokies are open for business. 

Are all the seasonal roads deep in the mountains? 

No. In fact several of them are attached to some of the most prominent attractions in the mountains. 

For example? Kuwohi Road which leads the way up to the former Clingman’s Dome from Newfound Gap Road. It is among the most travelled roads in the mountains. However, it is closed from the end of November until April 1. Why? It’s steep and twisting roads can be intimidating under the best of conditions. You don’t want to be navigating down that mountain and hit a patch of ice.

Another easy to get to seasonal road is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is located just above Gatlinburg, it’s entrance and exit are only a few minutes from the strip. The Roaring Fork – is lesser known than Cades Cove and offers very different views – but ultimately is a similar experience. There are preserved cabins and homesteads, some of which may or may not be haunted. The Roaring Fork is also home to multiple trail heads. This includes the one to Grotto Fails, a relatively manageable hike that leads you behind a Smoky Mountain waterfall. The road is closed from the end of November until Mid-April. 

It’s also an excellent opportunity for bear viewing and, occasionally, for the bears to have human viewing. 

Motorhomes, buses, and vans longer than 25 feet, plus passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited.

Roads splintered from Cades Cove Loop

Two more of the seasonal roads splinter off the Cades Cove Loop. The Rich Mountain Road (closed 11/29 – 4/10) splits off of the Loop and heads back over the mountain to Townsend. The road is one way. Motorhomes, buses, and vans longer than 25 feet, plus passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited.

It offers interesting views back over the cove, excellent wildflower viewing and some hiking trails that are somewhat off the beaten path. Another seasonal road that will really take you deep into the mountains is Parsons Branch Road, closed from early November until May. As you approaching the visitors’ center parking area, you can turn left and continue on the loop. Or you can continue forward into Forge Creek Road. From there, you can visit the Henry Whitehead House, an example of the less primitive structures of the late 18 and early 1900s in the Cove. 

After a bit, you’ll come to the Parson Branch Road, an adventurous 8-mile one-way trek across ridgetops. High clearance vehicles are recommended. Motorhomes, buses, and vans longer than 25 feet and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited.

It’s an opportunity to see some of the truly deeper parts of the Smokies. You’ll come out on Highway 129 – the infamous Tail of the Dragon which you can take all the way down to Robbinsville, North Carolina or back into Blount County, connecting with Highway 411 South of Maryville.

Are there any roads still closed? 

Yes, but not because of the dangers of the weather, or at least not any current dangers from the weather. Heintooga Round Bottom Road and Straight Fork Road are both closed due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene which wreaked havoc on the region in the fall of 2024. While we’re mentioning it, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina isn’t a seasonal road. But it will be closed for inclement weather, sometimes.

Currently the Parkway is open-ish. Large sections remain closed after the Hurricane. That section of North Carolina took the brunt of the storm. The National Park Service is projecting reopenings for the hardest-hit areas in late 2026.

But, there are roads that remain open year round. 

Are there other seasonal roads we should explore while we have the chance?

Sure. 

While you can’t take the low road (Heintooga Round Bottom Road) – the high road (Heintooga Ridge Road) is open for business. This two-way, paved road connects the Blue Ridge Parkway and Heintooga Round Bottom Road – aka the Balsam Mountain Road. It is 11 miles of scenic wonder. 

No surprising that motorhomes, buses, and vans longer than 25 feet, plus passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited on this road that runs through the high mountains. Closed for late October until Mid-May, this a path that most of the mountains tourists never travel. 

Other seasonal roads are the Little Greenbrier – which leads to the Little Greenbrier schoolhouse above Wears Valley. Closed from the end of November to early May, the Little Greenbrier makes for a nice family trip into the mountains. You can explore the old schoolhouse and make your way up to the famous Walkers Sisters Cabin. On the way back down, stop for a nice picnic or cookout at Metcalf Bottoms. 

Earlier we mentioned the Ford Creek Road – which leads to the Henry Whitehead Cabin on your way up to Parson Branch Road. It is also a seasonal road, closed from the end of December to early March. 

Do you visit the Smokies to drive and view the scenery? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!