Trail Maintenance Underway Near Sand Cave
Crews are using Ridge Trail from Hensley to Sand Cave Trail to complete trail work. Trails remain open; some sections may be muddy or messy.
Official NPS sourceSTATE & NATION TRAVEL
Tennessee Travel.
National parks, historic sites and practical visitor updates, directly from the National Park Service.
NPS sources checked 10/3/2026, 3:09:49 PM Eastern
Travel Alerts & Closures
CHECK BEFORE DEPARTURELilly Bluff Overlook Decking Replacement
Decking replacement is underway at Lilly Bluff Overlook and is expected to take about six weeks. The overlook will remain open, but some sections will be temporarily closed as repairs are completed.
Official NPS sourceHistoric Andrew Johnson Homestead Reopens
The Home of our 17th president has reopened to the public. Daily tours available. See GUIDED TOURS information on website for more details.
Official NPS sourceBig South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge
Big South Fork NRRA has announced the temporary closure of the historic Blue Heron Tipple Bridge, effective immediately in the interest of visitor safety. A recent bridge safety inspection conducted by the Federal Highway Administration identified structural issues specific to the pier’s bridge decking which is now leaning beyond acceptable standards.
Official NPS sourceFort Donelson NB Park Fall Hours
Visitor Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Lands: Pedestrian Access is from sunrise to sunset. Automobile Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Roads 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. daily.
Official NPS sourceStraight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
Official NPS sourceList of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable future. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for an up-to-date list of closures. OBSERVE ALL CLOSURES. Stay safe!
Official NPS sourceBlack Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garbage causes it to lose its fear of humans. Follow all food storage regulations, use provided food lockers and never feed a bear.
Official NPS sourcePartial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
The Rocky Springs section is closed from the Rocky Springs campground at milepost 55 to the northern terminus at milepost 59 until further notice. Visitors should observe posted closures. The trail is unsafe due to trail erosion and deteriorated bridges.
Official NPS sourceMost visitors need a parking tag
All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).
Official NPS sourceYockanookany Trail Section Closed to Equestrians
The Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is closed to equestrian use effective immediately, due to safety concerns with trail bridges and boardwalks. The trail will remain open to pedestrians.
Official NPS sourceNotice to travelers to National Cemetery
Due to the narrow roadway & tight turn, RVs, mobile homes, charter buses, delivery trucks, or vehicles with trailers are prohibited from the crest of Monument Hill. Check for information about parking at the Visitor Center upon your arrival.
Official NPS sourceLatest NPS News
Browse the archiveAdditional Airlifts Planned for LeConte Lodge Recreation Building Demolition Project Oct. 6-9
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional airlifts from Oct. 6-9 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building. The scheduled airlifts are expected to occur between 9 a.m. and noon each day. In the event of hazardous weather, the park may delay airlifts or extend the time beyond the scheduled flight window. The park continues to work around adverse weather conditions, prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.
Official NPS sourceCumberland Gap Announces Rare Tour for 30th Anniversary of Cumberland Gap Tunnel
From October 16 to 18, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel by offering visitors a rare, behind-the-scenes experience.
Official NPS sourceGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Completes Reconstruction of Historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, has completed a full reconstruction of the historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier following extensive storm damage. Park leadership, Friends of the Smokies leadership and descendants of the Greenbrier community celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 28.
Official NPS sourceGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Plans Maintenance on Gatlinburg Spur from Sept. 28-Oct. 1
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will complete essential maintenance along the Gatlinburg Spur starting Sept. 28. This work will enhance roadside vistas for visitors who drive on the Gatlinburg Spur. This will require temporary single-lane closures to allow park staff to safely and efficiently complete this work.
Official NPS sourceConstruction Begins on East Brotherton Road in Chickamauga Battlefield
Beginning September 23, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will close East Brotherton Road, between Alexander's Bridge Road and Jay's Mill Road, for construction within Chickamauga Battlefield.
Official NPS sourceLive Music to Commemorate 164th Anniversary of Battle of Corinth
Join Shiloh for an evening of music to commemorate the 164th Battle of Corinth anniversary.
Official NPS sourceRoaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Closed to Visitors Sept. 24 for Mowing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will temporarily close Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on Sept. 24 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to safely complete roadside mowing and other maintenance.
Official NPS sourceGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Reminds Visitors to View Elk and Black Bears Safely this Fall
Great Smoky Mountains National Park reminds visitors to view wildlife safely as elk and black bear activity increases this fall. Autumn offers opportunities to witness elk during their annual breeding season, known as the rut, and to observe bears feeding on fall food sources. While these experiences can be amazing to witness, they also require caution, awareness and respect for wildlife.
Official NPS sourceShiloh Seeks Volunteers for National Public Lands Day
On Sept. 26, Shiloh National Military Park invites the public to join the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for National Public Lands Day.
Official NPS sourceAdditional Airlifts Planned For LeConte Lodge Recreation Building Demolition Sept. 14-18
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional airlifts to from Sept. 14-18 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building.
Official NPS sourceTemporary Closures on Little River Road Sept. 15 and 17 for Road Maintenance
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close the section of Little River Road between the Townsend Wye and Elkmont for essential road maintenance on September 15 and 17.
Official NPS sourceUpcoming Single-Lane Closures on Gatlinburg Spur Sept. 14-30
Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through the end of the month, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will conduct multiple projects on the Gatlinburg Spur that will require single-lane closures. Visitors driving between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during the closures can expect traffic delays. For the safety of park personnel and other drivers, please drive with extra caution.
Official NPS sourceAutumn is in the Air in the Great Smoky Mountains
As autumn approaches, Great Smoky Mountains National Park looks forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy its world-renowned fall foliage. The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, wildlife viewing and special events bring in a high volume of visitors, congested traffic and limited parking. Check out the tips below to navigate the crowds and make the most of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Official NPS sourceShiloh National Military Park Postpones “Meet the Past” Bus Tour Due to Inclement Weather
The "Meet the Past" bus tour has been rescheduled for October 17.
Official NPS sourceUpcoming Half-Day Closures of Kuwohi Road on Sept. 10 and 15 for Educational Programs
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will temporarily close Kuwohi Road and the trail to Kuwohi Observation Tower the mornings of Thursday, September 10, and Tuesday, September 15, to facilitate special educational programs for students from Swain County and Qualla Boundary schools. The park will close the road and parking lot at 8 p.m. the night before each event and will reopen it by 2 p.m. each day.
Official NPS sourceMarcin Bachleda-Blaszczak Confirmed Safe Outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe this afternoon in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Official NPS sourceGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Continues Search for Marcin Bachleda‑Blaszczak with Multi-Agency Assistance
Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to search for Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak who was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24. With support from partner agencies, search efforts remain active within the park boundary and have expanded beyond the park as the investigation continues.
Official NPS sourceLiving History Bus Tour Offers Firsthand Accounts from Battle of Shiloh
Shiloh National Military Park is offering a special bus tour for visitors to learn about the Battle of Shiloh through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand.
Official NPS sourceUpcoming NPS Events
NEXT 90 DAYSHensley Settlement Tours
Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.
Official NPS sourceHensley Settlement Tours
Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.
Official NPS sourceTextiles Talk
Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.
Official NPS sourceCoopering Crafting Barrels
Experience the centuries-old tradition of coopering, where skilled craftspeople shape and assemble wooden barrels and casks using time-honored tools and techniques, bringing this essential historic trade to life through live demonstration.
Official NPS sourceTextiles Talk
Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.
Official NPS sourceTextiles Talk
Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.
Official NPS sourcePinnacle Talks
*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:a33d3e72-d13d-4a0d-8cfc-b79574ba3713-1" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> Come meet a ranger at the Pinnacle Overlook for a breathtaking view and a deeper look into the history of the Cumberland Gap. Drop by anytime during the program to hear fascinating stories and gain a better understanding of what you’re seeing from this remarkable vantage point.
Official NPS sourceHensley Settlement Tour
Travel to the top of Cumberland Mountain with park staff and explore a place where families once lived, worked, learned, and built a community. Step inside historic cabins and other preserved buildings while discovering stories of daily life at this early 20th-century Appalachian settlement.
Official NPS sourceCritter Corner at Rugby
Join Us Saturdays and Sundays in October at the Historic Rugby Visitor Center for 'Critter Corner'! From 9 AM to 5 PM ET on Saturdays and Noon to 5 PM on Sundays families can explore animal pelts and skulls, browse nature books, enjoy coloring pages, and chat with a ranger about the critters of Big South Fork.
Official NPS sourceUnveiling the Unknown: Giving Voice to African American History and Legacy at Hanford [Richland, WA]
Join us on October 8 at the REACH Museum in Richland, WA from 5:00-7:30 pm to celebrate the culmination of a three year-long project to research and document local Black history at the Hanford Site. Hanford History Project, African American Community Cultural & Educational Society (AACCES), and the park collaborated on this project to enhance understanding of African Americans’ contributions to Hanford during the Manhattan Project. Doors open at 5:00 pm. At 6:00 pm speakers will provide insights into the research process and reflect on the impact of this history. Immediately following community elders will share stories that illuminate this rich history during a fire side chat. Program ends at 7:30 pm. The event is free and refreshments are provided.
Official NPS sourceWives' Tales and Witchery of Appalachia
We will talk through local family lore, tall tales and legends of Cumberland Gap and Gap Cave, Appalachian superstitions and traditions and where they came from. This is an interactive program where the audience will also share stories that parallel our topics.
Official NPS sourceRanger-led demonstration: Appalachian Rag Dolls
Come stitch together a little piece of history at the Crossville Visitor Center! Step back in time to experience the tradition of rag doll making! On Saturday, October 10, join a park ranger at the Crossville Visitor Center for a hands-on demonstration celebrating the cherished Appalachian craft. This hands-on demonstration for kids and the young at heart will be available anytime between 11 am and 1 pm (Central Time). Crossville Visitor Center is located at 176 River Otter Drive Dr, Crossville, TN. Worth 5 GO BIG Points. To learn more about the GO BIG 2026 Challenge, go to Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
Official NPS sourceNational Parks & Federal Sites
15 DESTINATIONSParkway
Natchez Trace
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.
Alabama · Mississippi · TennesseeNational Scenic Trail
Natchez Trace
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles and offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, and the history of the area.
Alabama · Mississippi · TennesseeNational Historic Trail
Trail Of Tears
Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.
Alabama · Arkansas · Georgia · Illinois · Kentucky · Missouri · North Carolina · Oklahoma · TennesseeNational Scenic Trail
Appalachian
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
Connecticut · Georgia · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · Tennessee · Vermont · Virginia · West VirginiaNational Military Park
Chickamauga & Chattanooga
In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga - a gateway to the Confederacy. The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September. However, renewed fighting in Chattanooga that November provided Union troops victory and control of the city. After the fighting, a Confederate soldier ominously wrote, "This...is the death-knell of the Confederacy."
Georgia · TennesseeNational River & Recreation Area
Big South Fork
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
Kentucky · TennesseeNational Historical Park
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America. Explore 85 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness. Stand in 3 states at once. Explore a cave, see Hensley Settlement, or camp under the stars. Come find your connection to Cumberland Gap.
Kentucky · Tennessee · VirginiaNational Battlefield
Fort Donelson
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.
Kentucky · TennesseeNational Military Park
Shiloh
Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America's previous wars combined. Explore both the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields to discover the impact of this struggle on the soldiers and on the nation.
Mississippi · TennesseeNational Historical Park
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took place in three secret communities located in Hanford, WA, Los Alamos, NM and Oak Ridge, TN. Today, you can visit these three sites that make up Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
New Mexico · Tennessee · WashingtonNational Park
Great Smoky Mountains
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
North Carolina · TennesseeNational Historic Trail
Overmountain Victory
Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow their campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route along existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 80+ miles of walkable trail.
North Carolina · South Carolina · Tennessee · VirginiaNational Historic Site
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson's complex presidency (1865-69) illustrates the Constitution at work following the Civil War. As the President and Congress disagreed on Reconstruction methods, the Constitution served as their guide on balance of powers, vetoes, and impeachment. In the end, it evolved as a living document with pivotal amendments on freedom, citizenship, and voting rights - topics still vital today.
TennesseeWild & Scenic River
Obed
The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
TennesseeNational Battlefield
Stones River
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.
TennesseeDestination directory sourced from NPS state listings, October 3, 2026. Official NPS directory
Travel across all 50 states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming