Savannah Seay Photo
It’s no secret that I love the Great Smoky Mountains and try to spend as much time there as I can every year.
The federal government shutdown obviously will impact visitors to the Smokies for an uncertain period.
The Friends of the Smokies issued a statement Wednesday updating what has already been impacted at the park:
“Cades Cove Loop Road, Cades Cove Picnic Area, Cades Cove Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Sugarlands Visitor Center are currently closed. However, most roads, trails, and restrooms are open. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is open. Most campgrounds and picnic areas are currently open. Trash collection will continue during the shutdown.
“Please understand if you visit, some services and staffing will be limited. Use caution and common sense. Fewer on-site staff could mean longer response times from rangers and first responders in an emergency.
“The park has posted a brief closure update at the top of its Current Conditions webpage. As always, check the park website for the most up to date information.”
Even with the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies will continue to operate because it is not part of the federal government. It is a nonprofit partner of the national park that raises money to help finance projects the park needs but cannot do based on its annual budget.
“We cannot thank you enough for being Friends who support the park through specialty license plates, personal gifts, fundraising events, donation boxes in the park, legacy and estate giving, and more. Thank you, Friends,” the Friends of the Smokies posted on its monthly newsletter.
The annual Cades Cove Loop Lope s the only organized footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Smokies and projects it funds. This year’s 5K and 10-mile runs are Nov. 9 and the race sold out in a matter of hours when registration opens. However, as of today Friends of the Smokies expects everything to go on as scheduled with the Cades Cove Loop Lope.
