Secondary scenic roads have 2026 seasonal open at Great Smoky Mountains: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Secondary scenic roads have 2026 seasonal open windows (Roaring Fork, Heintooga Ridge, Little Greenbrier, Rich Mountain, Parson Branch)

Exact conditions

Status: Not required; the stated access rule still applies
Applies to: vehicles
Place or corridor: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Heintooga Ridge Road, Little Greenbrier Road, Rich Mountain Road, Parson Branch Road, Straight Fork Road, Heintooga Round Bottom Road
Effective dates: April 3, 2026 through November 29, 2026
Release model: unpublished

Exceptions and limits

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: 4/17-11/29.
Heintooga Ridge Road: 5/15-10/31.
Little Greenbrier Road: 4/3-11/29.
Rich Mountain Road: 4/10-11/9.
Parson Branch Road: 5/1-11/9.
Cataloochee Road, Upper Tremont Road and Wear Cove Road: year-round.
Heintooga Round Bottom Road: TBD.
Straight Fork Road: "TBD due to Hurricane Helene impacts" — no 2026 date published.

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

2026 table rows: "Heintooga Ridge Road 5/15-10/31"; "Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail 4/17-11/29"; "Little Greenbrier Road 4/3-11/29"; "Rich Mountain Road 4/10-11/9"; "Parson Branch Road 5/1-11/9"; "Straight Fork Road TBD due to Hurricane Helene impacts".

Seasonal Road Closures - Great Smoky Mountains National Park