Great Smoky Mountains National Park open again

Information from WYSH Radio

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officially reopened on Thursday, Oct. 17, under federal funding.

The park had been closed for the first two weeks of October during the peak fall tourist season due to a lapse in Congressional appropriations.

The park and its facilities had originally reopened to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 16, due to the donation of funds from the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, who worked in partnership with Blount and Sevier counties. Their funding would have allowed the park to stay open for five days.

“We would once again like to express our gratitude to our county neighbors and the states of Tennessee and North Carolina for the donation which allowed the park to open and serve our visitors,” said Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “The support they have shown is truly remarkable and is indicative of the strong relationship Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds with our local communities. We are happy the park is now open for the long term, and can be fully enjoyed by our visitors through the popular autumn season.”

For more information about the visiting the park, visit www.nps.gov/grsm.

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