Laurel Falls Trail to Close!

[Shawn]

The most popular trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closing and won’t reopen until mid-2026, according to the National Park Service.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article297281939.html#storylink=cpy

The trail has been overcapacity for a while it seems.

We drove past it when we were there, but it was so full we didn't stop. Kind of wish we had now.

 

[corvus]

I did that trail with my 1 year old son, pushed him up in a one wheeled 'hiking stroller' I had built.

This was 10 years ago, in early May I believe. We got to the trailhead just past dawn, and there were only a handful of cars in the small parking lot. On the way out I couldn't believe the cars parked along the highway, I bet it was at least a solid half mile of cars. And that was before the Covid outdoors boost.