Traffic on Laurel Creek Road/NPS
It's not just cars that are clogging the loop road to Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Bicyclists and pedestrians flood the 11-mile, one-way route during vehicle-free periods, currently Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 a.m. from May through September. Due to growing use and congestion, the park is proposing to implement a pilot study for 2020 to evaluate changing this vehicle-free period to a weekly, full-day closure on Wednesdays from May through September.
The park began collecting data on visitor use during vehicle-free time periods in 1995. Over the past 25 years, use has continued to increase with up to 1,100 people a day cycling or walking along the roadway during the three-hour closure. This increased use presents several challenges including congestion, lack of parking, and disruption in campground and picnic area operations. During the current morning closures, access to the campground, picnic area, horse concession operation, campground store, and hiking/equestrian trails is blocked to accommodate parking for the biking/pedestrian opportunity on the Loop Road. As a result, traffic leading to the Cades Cove area is often gridlocked by a line of motorists waiting for the Loop Road to open at 10 a.m.
For 2020, the park is proposing to implement a full-day closure of the Loop Road to motor vehicles on Wednesdays to improve safety and provide better access to the area for multiple user groups. By closing the roadway for the entire day, bicyclists and pedestrians would have over 12 hours of daylight to use the Loop Road without vehicles. By spreading use throughout the day, parking should be more available with less impacts to campground, picnic area, and concession operations.
By eliminating the Saturday morning closures, more motorists would have access to the Cades Cove area for these services along with scenic driving on what is traditionally the busiest day of the week for travel in the area. In addition, park staff and volunteers would be able to better support visitor operations on Wednesdays and Saturdays instead of devoting all personnel to traffic management and parking. As a pilot project, the park is proposing this action as a temporary change. The park will assess the effectiveness of the change at the end of the 2020 season.
The public can comment on the proposed change through March 27 using the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website and following the link titled “Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days” or by mail to Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. If approved, implementation will begin in May.
Comments
I think cades cove must in the future be totally closed to cars during summer. A good trolley system would be a wonderful experience for anyone who can't hike or bike. The car experience on heavy days which are most days in summer is a horrible way to see the park. Conjestion and pollution are ruining this serene calm beautiful experience.
Zion National Parks shuttle system works great. People need to get out of their cars and experience the beauty of the park. The wildlife would be happier that is for sure.
Parking would have to be addressed but using the 11mile cades cove road as a parking lot isn't the way to address this problem.
Think out of the box
. Thank you
I love the idea of the loop being closed to cars all day on Wednesday! Please do not allow maintenance trucks, mowers, weed eaters on Wednesdays. These noise-filled activities ruin the peacefulness of the experience and are dangerous with walkers and bikers.
Saturday morning availability for bikers is important for those that can't get there during the week. It also is open to cars at 10 am, making the disruption minimal. I vote no.
Cars riders have the majority of time so I don't see how you are being discriminated against.
I like the idea of an all day closure although eliminating a weekend day would take myself and others out who have to work during the week. Always look forward to riding multiple loops around Cades Cove during my summer weekends.
Cars are killing the smokies. Closing to cars all day Wednesday and Saturday would be great ! As for elderly and handicap , also have an electric or propane Tram run though every hour. Everyone would be happy.
I voteto bring back the Saturday morning walk/bike until 10:00 since most people work through the week. I recognize that Saturday was a sucess, popular, and may have challenged the parking. If parking was the main problem add some gravel and increase the parking. I believe most people would help donate to cove the cost. Wednesday is great if your on vaction.
I think it would be a great idea to make two days a week open to bikers and hikers only. This will encourage folks to get out of their cars and get exercise, while still allowing 5 days for those who are physically unable to do so.