Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — Update (Sept. 8): Work on Little River Trail is going to take a little longer than expected.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said rainstorms earlier this summer hampered work on the trail, so it is pushing back the opening by a week.
The trail was originally expected to reopen after Sept. 7. The GSMNP said the trail will remain closed Monday, Sept. 11 through Thursday, Sept. 14 before fully reopening on Friday.
Backpackers that already have permits to use the Little River Trail will still be allowed to pass through the closure area to get to the backcountry campsites by showing crew members a printed copy of their permit.
Original Story:
Rangers with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said a popular trail would be temporarily closed through Sept. 7 so crews could make repairs and rehabilitate the trail.
They said the Little River Trail closures would start on July 31, and said that it would only be closed Mondays through Thursdays. Visitors can still enjoy the trail on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as federal holidays. They said sections of the trail would also be opened as work progresses.
They said backcountry campsites 24 and 30 would also be closed during the same time period.
According to a release, the closure is required while crews use heavy equipment to reestablish a drainage system along the trail, which is part of an old roadbed. they said the work would improve accessibility for visitors.
The trail starts in the Elkmont area, giving people a wide path to walk through the forest.