KODAK, Tenn. (Oct. 8, 2025) – Sevier County has announced a nine-day extension to the agreement that will keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open and fully operation through Oct. 19, 2025. This extension is to the previous agreement that reopened the park Oct. 4 through Oct. 10, 2025.
Friends of the Smokies is among several partners that have provided support to fully open the park during the shutdown, including the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Sevier County, Blount County, Cocke County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Pittman Center.
Friends of the Smokies is a nonprofit partner of the national park funded by your generous donations and specialty license plates. You help us fund projects, programs, equipment, and staffing the national park cannot afford with its normal annual budget. In special circumstances, such as the government shutdown, your support has put us in a position to step up for our beloved Smokies. We couldn’t do it without your help.
As always, check the park’s Current Conditions page for the latest closures.
See the full Oct. 8, 2025, news release from Sevier County Government below.
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UPDATE: AGREEMENT EXTENDED TO FUND CONTINUED OPERATIONS OF GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK DURING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Sevier County, Tennessee (October 8, 2025) – 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. 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.
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.
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About Friends of the Smokies
Friends of the Smokies is the official nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through private donations, fundraising events, and specialty license plates in North Carolina and Tennessee, Friends of the Smokies raises money to fund needed projects and programs in the national park that would otherwise go unfunded.
Learn more about how to get a Friends of the Smokies license plate at BearPlate.org. You can make a direct tax-deductible donation at our website. We are also grateful for those who pitch in at our donation boxes throughout the park. Every gift makes a significant difference for our beloved Smokies. Thank you, Friends!
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