Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains national park open despite federal shutdown

Despite the federal government shutdown that went into effect on Oct. 1, Western North Carolina’s national park properties will remain mostly open — but a few things will look different.

The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both a part of the National Park Service. According to the organization’s shutdown contingency plan, park roads, lookouts, trails and open air memorials will remain accessible to visitors.

“Critical functions that protect life, property, and public health will remain in place, including visitor access in many locations, law enforcement, and emergency response,” according to a National Park Service statement to the Charlotte Observer. That said, updated communications from the National Park Services will be limited.

During the shutdown, National Park websites and social media will not be maintained except for emergencies, the contingency plan says. Parks will not provide regular road and trail condition updates. According to the contingency plan, park staff will post signs notifying visitors about any limited services.

Impact on leaf season

This government shutdown comes as Western North Carolina approaches peak leaf season — the region’s busiest economic quarter of the year.

Last fall, Helene not only killed at least 108 people in North Carolina and severely damaged communities, it brought tourism and many small businesses in the region to their knees.

According to a study conducted by the North Carolina Economic Development Partnership, Western North Carolina experienced $1.8 billion in financial losses from Helene during the last quarter of 2024.

National Parks play a significant role in tourism in Western North Carolina. Last fall, the National Park Service announced that North Carolina’s national parks contributed $4.1 billion to the state’s economy in 2023.

To see a government shut down on the heels of that progress is disheartening, Explore Asheville CEO Vic Isley said. Just, last month, 114 contiguous miles were reopened on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

That said, people should still come, Isley wrote in a statement to The Charlotte Observer.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest remain open to drivers and hikers so that you can experience the iconic scenic drives, overlooks, and mountain trails that make autumn in Asheville so special.”

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park published this update on closed locations on Oct. 1:

• Cades Cove Loop Road
• Cades Cove Picnic Area
• Cades Cove Visitor Center
• Chimneys Picnic Area
• Sugarlands Visitor Center

As of Oct. 2, the majority of the Blue Ridge Parkway was open with the exception of sites damaged by remnants of Hurricane Helene or are undergoing construction.

This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 6:30 AM.