What Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitors should know after Hurricane Helene

Park officials start clearing the hurricane debris from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

By Sarah Joseph October 5, 2024 7:30AM

Chadwell Gap Trail after Hurricane Helene at Cumberland National Historical Park — National Park Service / National Park Service

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, staff and volunteers at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park are working tirelessly to assess and address the damage caused by the storm. While significant progress has been made in restoring certain areas, there are still parts of the park that remain closed due to ongoing safety concerns.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene

Early recovery efforts have focused on reopening park roads and front country camping facilities. Wilderness Road Campground and State Road 988 (Sugar Run Road) have now fully reopened, allowing visitors access to these areas once again. However, Pinnacle Overlook remains off-limits, with the road to the popular viewpoint closed at the Thomas Walker parking area. Similarly, Lewis Hollow Road and its accompanying picnic area are also inaccessible.

Park trail crews have successfully cleared several trails, including Object Lesson Road, Wilderness Road, Tri-State, and Daniel Boone. Although these trails are now available for use, the park advises visitors against hiking on other trails because of the hundreds of fallen trees and additional hazards such as trail washouts and damaged bridges. Many other trees are at risk of falling, adding to the unpredictability of the park’s trail conditions.

In light of these challenges, all horse and bike trails, as well as backcountry campsites, are closed until further notice. For visitors looking to explore the park, the visitor center in Middlesboro, Bartlett Park, and Civic Park remain open. However, Gap Cave and Skylight Cave have closed for the winter, effective September 30, and guided tours to the historic Hensley Settlement are temporarily suspended due to road conditions leading to the site.

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National parks, monuments, and seashores close in preparation for Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene causes National Park closures in America's southeast

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As Hurricane Helene approaches the southeastern United States, several national parks are announcing closures to ensure the safety of all visitors and staff. Here are the latest updates from the National Park Service regarding closures and safety measures.
Latest closure updates from the National Park Service

Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah, GA
Fort Pulaski National Monument closed by noon on Wednesday, September 25, to complete safety and property preparations. Once damage assessments have been completed and the area is deemed safe for visitors, the monument will reopen.
Gulf Islands National Seashore in Gulf Breeze, FL
In preparation for Hurricane Helene, Gulf Islands National Seashore have closed the Fort Pickens and Okaloosa Areas. The Pensacola Bay City Ferry Sunset Cruise has been canceled for Thursday, the 26th, but plans to return by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, the 27th. The Ferry Service for the 27th remains canceled until further notice.
Great Smoky Mountains
Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains should anticipate closures and event cancellations due to the high winds and 6-10 inches of expected rain from Thursday to Friday. Gusts in this area are expected to reach up to 70 miles per hour, so the National Park Service has closed the Rich Mountain Road, the Balsam Mountain Road, and the Heintooga Ridge Road. The Balsam Mountain Campground has closed, and the Mountain Life Festival scheduled for the 28th has been canceled. The harvest-related cultural demonstrations will now take place on October 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Closures for the Blue Ridge Parkway will be from milepost 314-375.6 from north of Linville Falls to Ox Creek, and milepost 393-455 from NC191/French Broad overlook to the Soco Gap. Because of this, the Linville Falls Campground and the Pisgah Campground have also closed, in addition to the Linville Falls Visitor Center, Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, and the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center. If you are planning on driving near this area, the National Park Service advises that you use extreme caution and be aware of falling rocks or downed trees.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Due to mandatory evacuation notices, the Cumberland Island National Seashore will also be closed. All campers, visitors, staff, and volunteers have already left the island. The Mainland Museum and Plum Orchard will also be closed until further notice.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
Starting on September 26, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park will close by 11 a.m. This area is predicted to see heavy rain, high winds, and hazardous conditions. The park will reopen once damage assessments have been completed.

Visitors planning to travel to any national parks in the affected areas should check for the latest updates and exercise caution. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and additional closures may occur.

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