Going to the Smoky Mountains in June? Watch out for these closures

By Sarah Joseph Published May 31, 2025 3:30 AM

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Wolfgang Kaehler / Getty Images

Repairs and renovations at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park continue as the National Park Service continues to prepare the mountains for the 2025 summer season. If you’re planning on visiting the Smokies in June, watch out for these spring closures that could add additional travel time to your trip.

First, off, let’s look at the closures affecting sections of Little River Road. The first one will take place from June 3rd through 4th, from 7:00 a.m. to noon. During this time, there will be no direct travel from Townsend Wye to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, so visitors will need to detour through Wears Valley Road (US 321) between Townsend and Line Springs Road.

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On the 5th, the section from Metcalf Bottoms to Elkmont Junction will be closed from 7 am to noon. Visitors will need to detour via the Wears Valley Road between Line Springs Road and Pigeon Forge.

Please note that while popular sites like Elkmont, Metcalf Bottoms, and Cascade Cove will remain mostly accessible, all motor homes, buses, passenger vehicles towing trailers, and vans longer than 25 feet will not be allowed on the Wear Cove Gap Road until these maintenance projects are completed.

There will also be a series of single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur. These closures will happen from June 9th to 12th, from 7 am to 4:30 pm, and will include important roadside maintenance such as mowing, pruning, ditch and culvert cleaning, shoulder drop-off repair, and the mitigation of hazardous trees.

These projects are subject to change, so make sure that you check with the National Park Service for updates before traveling.

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With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…

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