August 29, 2014

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Closing

Have you heard the news? Our beloved Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be closing it’s gate later this year, and it may be a while before guests are invited back.

Now, before we all start to panic, it is important that we mention that this Smoky Mountain motor nature trail closes every year for scheduled maintenance, however, this year park officials recently announced that the trail will be closing earlier than usual this year.

Why is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Closing?

According to the National Park Service, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail is closing earlier than usual this year because they want to get a jump start on repairing and replacing a total of eight bridges found along the trail. Though most of the work will be completed this winter, the staff will need an extra month due to the large amount of work required for this process.

All construction is anticipated to be completed by next April, just in time for spring in the Smoky Mountains!

Please keep in mind that any trails or rest areas that are located along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail will also be inaccessible while the motor trail is closed. Smoky Mountain hiking trails that will be affected include:

• Trillium Gap Trail
• Grotto Falls trailhead
• Grapeyard Ridge
• Baskins Creek

What is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

Similar to many other areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail used to be the home of several early settlers of the area. In the early 1930s, when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created, residents along the trail were given the option to move or to stay.

Many of the residents who moved became the first settlers of what is known today as Gatlinburg TN.

Today, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park proudly welcomes over 9 million visitors every year.

One of the many things that makes this motor trail so popular is the location of the Noah Bug Ogle cabin, one of the first homes to ever be built in the Smoky Mountains. Other scenic features to this trail include a dense forest, waterfalls, streams, and several other historic buildings.

Follow this link to learn more about the Roaring Fork Motor Trail: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm

What If I really want to go see the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Now?

If you really want to experience fall in the Smoky Mountains along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, don’t worry! You still have plenty of time between now and November 1.

However, if you plan on visiting after the Smoky Mountain motor trail closes, there are still plenty of exciting scenic drives that you and your family can enjoy.

A few of our favorite scenic motor trails in the Smoky Mountains include:

• Cades Cove Loop Road
  • 11-mile loop road that takes guests past several historic home sites and churches
  • A Smoky Mountains Visitor Center located at the midway point
  • Best place for spotting Smoky Mountain wildlife
  • Breathtaking scenery
• Newfound Gap Road
  • Connects Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC
  • Offers several scenic overlooks with parking areas
  • Great for pictures
  • Historical landmarks

Click here to discover even more scenic Smoky Mountain drives.

Want to start planning your next Smoky Mountain vacation today? Let us at HearthSide Cabin Rentals help by checking out our Gatlinburg cabins page on our website. There you and your family will find everything you need to find the perfect vacation rental during your next trip to the Smokies.