Sevier County has signed an addendum with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service to continue funding full operations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The original agreement, signed on October 3, 2025, established a framework for local and state partners to provide funding in seven-day increments, maintaining a two-day balance in the donation account at all times to ensure uninterrupted operations. The agreement remains in effect for 30 days from the date of final signature or until terminated in accordance with its provisions.
A newly signed addendum extends the funding for an additional ten-day period, ensuring that Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remain open and fully operational through Sunday, October 19.
The local and state partners are committed to working together to keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open through the end of October, while closely monitoring developments on the federal level regarding the status of the government shutdown.
This agreement ensures that Great Smoky Mountains National Park will continue to welcome visitors with all facilities, roadways, visitor centers, restrooms, campgrounds, and trails operating as normal. This effort is supported through a partnership that includes the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
There have been a few reports in the media and statements from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that the funding to keep the park fully operational will run through October 10th. While technically this is an accurate satatement the director or public affairs for Sevier County provided some context to these statements to clear up any confusion.
"Payments will fund the park in seven day increments but will continue to keep the park open after that. Prior to the end of those seven days, Sevier County will reach out to the other partners to see if everyone is still in. That work is starting to be done today (10-7-25)."
The first 7 day funding period ends on October 10th. That’s why some sources have reported that the park will be open until that date. But in my opinion, it would only make sense for the Counties involved to renew the arrangement for the next several weeks.
In anticipation of the federal government shutdown, Sevier County, the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, began working together on a plan to provide financial support to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park fully operational in the event of a federal government shutdown. Once the shutdown commenced on Wednesday, October 1, the local and state partners began discussions with the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service.
As of 12:01 AM on Saturday, October 4, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fully open and operational, per an agreement with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, and Sevier County, Tennessee. Under the agreement, areas that were previously closed, such as Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Cades Cove Loop Road, Visitor Center, and Picnic Area, will be open and operational beginning Saturday morning. Importantly, this funding also ensures that staff are on duty to service restrooms, respond to visitors in need, and provide essential services to protect wildlife during this peak visitor season. Per the terms of the agreement, local and state partners will fund $61,703.18 each day to ensure full operations of the national park. Additionally, the national park will fund remaining daily operational costs through recreation fee revenue, which includes revenue from campgrounds and parking tags.
Sevier County, the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the State of North Carolina, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have been working together since last week on a plan to provide financial support to make the Great Smoky Mountains National Park fully operational during the federal government shutdown that began on Wednesday, October 1.
Currently, the National Park remains accessible, including main roadways; however, some services or popular areas such as Sugarlands Visitor Center and Cades Cove Picnic Area and Visitor Center are closed as a result of the federal government shutdown. Local and state governments are working on a plan with the National Park Service to fully open these and other areas of the park that are closed during the shutdown.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States and plays a critical role in the economy and culture of the region, especially during the fall season when hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the area. The partnering governments recognize the importance of keeping the park open and are working together to provide solutions that will minimize any disruption.
The partners are working on finalizing details on an agreement, and additional information regarding operations and funding will be released soon.
Areas of the park that are currently closed can be found on the National Park Website: www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
For couples planning to say “I do” in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, recent news about a potential federal government shutdown may sound unsettling. After all, many dream elopements and intimate weddings in this area are tied to the park’s iconic overlooks, waterfalls, and wooded trails.
So, what happens if the government shuts down and national parks close? Let’s walk through what we know, what it could mean for your day, and why couples choosing Gatlinburg for their elopement can still feel confident moving forward.
In past shutdowns, most national parks across the country have been forced to close. That typically means:
A Local Update: Efforts to Keep the Smokies Open
I spoke directly with Sevier County’s Director of Public Affairs, who shared encouraging news: several municipalities surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains are currently finalizing a plan to keep the park open even in the event of a federal shutdown.
This kind of collaboration has happened before. Local governments recognize the importance of the Smokies not only as a national treasure, but also as an economic and cultural anchor for our community. Weddings, tourism, and family traditions are all part of that.
More details will be announced soon, but the takeaway is simple: local leaders are working hard to make sure couples can still celebrate their weddings in the Smokies without disruption.
What This Means for Your Wedding or Elopement
If you’re planning to get married in the Smoky Mountains during this uncertain time, here’s what you can keep in mind:
As soon as more information is finalized, I’ll share updates directly with couples and here. My goal is always the same: to keep your planning simple, stress-free, and focused on what matters most—celebrating your love. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re feeling uncertain. I’m here to guide you, help you prepare backup options, and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
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