Home / Environment / Smoky Mountains National Park Reopens with State and Local Funding
Smoky Mountains National Park Reopens with State and Local Funding
4 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Park fully reopened and operational from Oct. 4-10, 2025
- $85,000 per day cost covered by Tennessee, local counties, and other groups
- Park closure during peak tourist season "simply not an option"
In a move to ensure the continued operation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a group of state and local leaders have stepped up to provide the necessary funding and leadership. The park, which had been closed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, is now fully reopened and operational from October 4-10, 2025.
The plan, announced on October 3, 2025, involves a collaborative effort between the state of Tennessee, Sevier and Blount counties, the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the nonprofit organization Friends of the Smokies. Together, these entities have agreed to cover the estimated $85,000 per day cost to keep the park open during this critical period.
