Snowfall Forces Closure of Major Roads in Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Cherokee Link Impacted
Winter weather caused the closure of Newfound Gap Road and Foothills Parkway West in the Great Smoky Mountains on Friday at 8 a.m. These important routes link Gatlinburg, TN, to Cherokee, NC. The closures are due to snow, with more winter weather, including freezing rain and sleet, expected in East Tennessee on Sunday, as reported by Knox News.
Newfound Gap, with elevations over 5,000 feet, faces major traffic risks during snowfall, with conditions too dangerous for plow trucks, according to the National Park Service.
While a few inches of snow are expected on the highest peaks, East Tennessee saw light snow clearing on Friday afternoon, but a winter mix is forecast for the weekend, as mentioned by WBIR.
The closure of scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains is a precautionary measure due to inclement weather, with park authorities prioritizing safety amid slick conditions caused by snow cover. There is no official word from the National Park Service on when the roads will reopen. Travelers and locals are advised to download the WVLT First Alert Weather app for real-time weather updates and forecasts to stay informed.
We’ve visited the Smoky Mountains every winter for 15 years. It’s the perfect spot for a fun, scenic vacation in the US.
- I’ve visited the Smoky Mountains with my husband every winter for the past 15 years.
- With large-scale holiday events and snow-capped mountains, this area is perfect for a getaway.
- There’s so much to do, including visiting museums, going to Dollywood, and dining out.
About 15 years ago, I moved to Nashville and was excited to learn that it was located just a short drive away from Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.
Since then, it’s been a regular trip for my husband and me. Our favorite time to visit is during the winter, and we make a point of doing so every year.
The mountain area is perfect for a couples’ getaway (or family one) with its many activities, eats, and scenic views.
I love the range of hotel options in the area
When we visit the Smoky Mountains, we typically stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, the two main tourist towns in the area.
Both have a variety of hotels for a range of budgets.
My favorite in winter is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Its luxe, rustic feel sets the perfect tone for the season, and I love its on-site dining options.
I also love the Margaritaville Island Hotel, which has a year-round tropical vacation feel. Its location is ideal as it has several restaurants and tourist attractions steps away.
The food scene is pretty awesome
I’ve dined at many restaurants in the area, and my favorite is definitely Smoky Mountain Brewery.
The local spot has its own craft beers on tap and tasty bar classics, like pretzels with housemade beer cheese. There’s often live music, which makes it the perfect place to relax after a busy day.
I also love that Pigeon Forge has several dinner shows to choose from.
One of my favorites is the Dolly Parton Stampede, which combines a thrilling show with horses and aerial performances with a multicourse meal.
Breakfast is also a huge deal in the Smoky Mountains. The area has tons of impressive breakfast spots, and my favorite is Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe.
The food is excellent, and the restaurant is highly themed with dozens of animatronic chickens. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been to.
There’s also so much to do in the area
I love Dollywood year-round, but the theme park is extra special during the winter because of its Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.
This time of year, Dollywood is adorned with gorgeous decorations and tons of lights. Plus, the park has special seasonal shows and incredible winter-inspired menus.
As a seasoned theme-park reporter, Dollywood’s holiday celebration is well worth the visit alone — it’s my favorite theme-park event.
While in the area, I’ll also typically stop at the Titanic Museum. I’m continually impressed with how it honors the passengers.
