Road OPEN Smoky Mountains NP - Newfound Gap Rd

[Smokyroo]

Here is a heads up. We got maybe upwards of 12 inches of rain last week ( January 14-19)and it caused a 200 foot section of Newfound Gap Road (US 441) on the NC side just past Collins Creek Picnic Grounds to fall 1,000 off the mountain. I do not have a link or anything, but it is my observation this will take many many months to repair and open the road. You can get to Newfound Gap itself via the TN side of the park. However, you will not be going from Cherokee to Gatlinburg anytime soon.

[AquaMan]

Wow! We have reservations for the first of June in Cherokee for the bluegrass festival. Had planned on spending a week and visiting the park. May have to make a reservation on the north end for a few days.

[Smokyroo]

Last week January 14-19 we had nearly a foot of rain and it caused land slides here in the Smoky Mountains. US 441 through the park experienced a massive landslide where 300 feet of the road is gone in a landslide and it is at the bottom of a valley 1,000 feet below. Newfound Gap Road is not open between Cherokee and Gatlinburg due to the slide. You can camp at Smokemont but can not go past it on 441. I suspect this will take many months to repair...well into the summer 2013 for sure.

[Smokyroo]

If you wish to stay on the TN side, you will be taking 74 to 40 and 40 west over. This could be a 3 hour drive. Trust me I know as we have a second store in Pigeon Forge and I now will be driving this long way around every week. Not looking forward to spending 6 hours a day in the car every week. There is a lot to do and see on the NC side of the Smokies.

[RVFamily5]

Here is a picture.

[KyDan]

A bit more info here but not much.
They say follow developments on twitter--

Temporary Road and Facilities Closures - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I'm also going to move this thread to the On the Road- Eastern US
forum found here-
Eastern USA - Forest River Forums

[Helmsey]

Crap, forgot to post that here when I posted it at the other RV site.
They said on the news here last night that they should have an estimated time frame for repairs by next week.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Smokyroo

If you wish to stay on the TN side, you will be taking 74 to 40 and 40 west over. This could be a 3 hour drive. Trust me I know as we have a second store in Pigeon Forge and I now will be driving this long way around every week. Not looking forward to spending 6 hours a day in the car every week. There is a lot to do and see on the NC side of the Smokies.

We'll actually be coming down from the north, and the festival is at the end of the week in Cherokee. Will probably make a stop in Pigeon Forge for a couple days first, then head out and around. Couldn't cut through park to Cherokee anyway because of height.

[KyDan]

Here's a couple more links to local news stories.

Newfound Gap Road landslide affects tourism in Gatlinburg

Landslide closes Newfound Gap Road

Here's a link to National Park updates on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/NewfoundGapRoad

[KyDan]

NPS are saying late Spring for Newfound Gap Rd opening.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Road Conditions

[acadianbob]

Thanks for posting this! We are looking to go to that national park in April; coming up from Mississippi/Alabama.

[KyDan]

According to the NPS website and also their twitter feed--

US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC is now open with no restrictions!!

I believe this is sooner than earlier estimates!

[AquaMan]

That's great news! We head down to Cherokee second week of June, although cant travel it with trailer in tow, will make it nice to get to north side if park.