**PRESS RELEASE**

Re: Great Smoky Mountains National Park To Remain Fully Operational During Federal Government Shutdown

Blount County, Tennessee (October 3, 2025) – Joint Statement

The 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.

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 Great Smoky Mountains National Park fully operational in the event of a federal government shutdown. Once the shutdown commenced on Wednesday, October 1, the local and state partners began discussions with the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service. 

As of 12:01 AM on Saturday, October 4, the 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, will be open and operational beginning Saturday morning. Importantly, 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. 

“I am grateful for the cooperation between our State and Local Governments and the Park Services team for taking care of what the federal government is unable to do at this moment – that is to put the good of the people first.  I especially want to thank Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters and Interim Park Superintendent Charles Sellars for their leadership,” said Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell. “We are entering our peak color season and closing any part of our Great Smoky Mountains is detrimental to Blount County and our entire region. We need to take these actions to ensure the least impact possible to our local economy and the economic benefits that our local businesses derive from the National Park.”

The 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.

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