Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Resume Full Operations, Amid the Federal Government Shutdown

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will resume full operations beginning Saturday morning, October 4, despite the federal government shutdown. This effort is made possible through a partnership among local and state governments, as well as the Friends of the Smokies and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

"I'm proud that Tennessee and our local governments stepped up to keep our most treasured natural resource open," said Rep. Atchley. "The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the economic engine of our region, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars for our local economy. This partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when state and local leaders work together to serve our communities and protect the interests of working families."

In anticipation of the federal government shutdown, Sevier County, the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, began working together on a plan to provide financial support to keep the park fully operational.

As of 12:01 AM on Saturday, October 4, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fully open and operational, per an agreement with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, and Sevier County, Tennessee. Under the agreement, areas that were previously closed, such as Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Cades Cove Loop Road, Visitor Center, and Picnic Area, are now open and operational. This funding also ensures that staff are on duty to service restrooms, respond to visitors in need, and provide essential services to protect wildlife during this peak visitor season.

Per the terms of the agreement, local and state partners will fund $61,703.18 each day to ensure full operations of the national park. Additionally, the national park will fund remaining daily operational costs through recreation fee revenue, which includes revenue from campgrounds and parking tags.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains the most visited national park in the United States. A recent National Park Service report shows that in 2024, the park welcomed approximately 12.2 million visitors who spent more than $2 billion in communities near the park. That spending supported thousands of jobs in gateway areas and provided a cumulative benefit of more than $2.8 billion to the local economy.

Visitors who have planned trips to the Smokies this fall, as well as those considering a visit, are encouraged to come and enjoy the beauty of the season. Fall in the Smokies is one of the most popular times of the year, and the park and surrounding communities look forward to welcoming guests from across the country.

Rep. Atchley extends special thanks to Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, Sevierville Mayor Tyler Ailey, Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear, Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner, and Pittman Center Mayor Tony Crisp for their swift action and commitment to protecting our local economy. He also thanks Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty, U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger, State Senators Jessie Seal and Steve Southerland, State Representative Andrew Farmer, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell for their leadership and advocacy at the state and federal levels. Additionally, a special thank you to Great Smoky Mountains National Park leadership for their hard work and coordination throughout this process.