Spring travelers angling for a quick escape into Great Smoky Mountains National Park are running into a mess of rock and fire instead. A rockslide and two active wildfires have triggered a tangle of road and trail closures near Townsend and Abrams Creek, cutting off access to popular frontcountry spots and several backcountry routes while crews work to secure the area.
Trail and backcountry closures
Wildfire activity in the Rabbit Creek and Twentymile areas has led to temporary shutdowns of multiple backcountry sites and trail segments. According to the National Park Service, backcountry campsites #16 and #93 are closed for now, and the Twentymile Trail is shut down from the Twentymile Ranger Station to the junction with the Twentymile Loop and Long Hungry Ridge trails.
The park also lists Abrams Creek access, along with the Rabbit Creek and Cooper Road trails, as closed or unsafe while crews are in the area working on suppression and safety efforts.
Rockslide closes Little River Road
On top of the fires, a separate rockslide has shut down a key driving route. Little River Road is closed from Metcalf Bottoms to the Townsend Wye, blocking a heavily used corridor for reaching Cades Cove and nearby picnic areas, as reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Park officials have said crews are assessing slope stability and clearing debris before they can safely reopen the road to traffic.
What visitors should expect
Rangers are stressing that conditions are changing quickly and are urging visitors to check the park's current conditions page on the National Park Service website and the park's social media feed for the latest updates. The conditions page was last updated March 26, 2026, and officials noted that closures could shift as firefighting and hazard-removal work continue.
For backcountry questions, visitors can call (865) 436-1297, and for general park information, (865) 436-1200. Travelers heading to the Smokies this weekend should be ready for detours and limited access around Townsend and Abrams Creek, and they are being asked to steer clear of closed trails and campsites, so crews have space to work. Reopenings will be announced once assessments are finished and hazards are mitigated, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
