# Great Smoky Mountains Townsend Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Townsend, TN (TN-73) · Status: **Open — Winter Weather Advisory**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/great-smoky-mountains/townsend-entrance.html

The Townsend entrance on TN-73 is the 'quiet side' gateway to Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove.

## This week at the Townsend Entrance (official conditions)

- **Open:** Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road: primary roads, open 24/7 year-round, weather permitting. Sources: [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- **Open:** Cades Cove Loop Road: open sunrise to sunset daily, weather permitting. Sources: [Smokies seasonal road schedule (2026 season)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
- **Closed:** Rich Mountain Road and Parson Branch Road (out of Cades Cove) are closed for the season. Forge Creek Road is open through Dec 31, subject to closures for snow, ice or mud. Sources: [NPS Great Smoky Mountains alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Smokies seasonal road schedule (2026 season)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
- **Heads-up:** NWS Winter Weather Advisory for the area, issued Nov 11, until 7 am EST Nov 14. Sources: [NWS Morristown: Winter Weather Advisory (issued Nov 11, until Nov 14 7 am EST)](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.685&lon=-83.537)
- **Info:** Parking tags are sold at The Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend, Cades Cove Visitor Center and the Tremont Institute store. Cades Cove Campground is open year-round. Sources: [NPS Great Smoky Mountains fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm); [Smokies current conditions & trail closures](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)

**Entrance fee:** No entrance fee. A parking tag is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes: daily $5, weekly $15, annual $40. America the Beautiful passes are not accepted in place of a tag. Sources: [NPS Great Smoky Mountains alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [NPS Great Smoky Mountains fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm)

## Forecast near the Townsend Entrance

- **NWS Winter Weather Advisory:** Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 11:09PM EST until November 14 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Morristown TN

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight | 45°F | Rain Showers Likely | 10 to 15 mph |
| Thursday | 53°F | Chance Rain Showers | 10 to 15 mph |
| Thursday Night | 33°F | Chance Rain Showers | 5 to 10 mph |
| Friday | 44°F | Rain And Snow Showers Likely | 5 mph |
| Friday Night | 30°F | Chance Rain And Snow Showers | 0 to 5 mph |
| Saturday | 45°F | Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny | 0 to 5 mph |
| Saturday Night | 26°F | Mostly Clear | 0 to 5 mph |
| Sunday | 52°F | Sunny | 0 to 5 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.659&lon=-83.711

## What actually matters here this season

The goal is a good trip, not a scary one. These are the hazards NPS highlights for this area and season, and what to do about each.

- **Bear jams in Cades Cove.** Cades Cove is one of the park's best places to see bears, and one of the easiest places to get too close. Approaching within 50 yards is illegal. Use pull-offs and don't stop in the road. Sources: [News release: View elk and black bears safely this fall (Sep 14, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-to-view-elk-and-black-bears-safely-this-fall.htm); [Smokies black bears](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Cold rain into freezing nights.** NWS forecast for Townsend: rain showers Thursday around 53°F, rain and snow showers likely Friday, and a low near 30°F Friday night. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Little River's slick rocks.** Wet rocks and cold water make the Little River a fall and hypothermia risk. NPS links to USGS gauges for current flow. Sources: [Smokies current conditions & trail closures](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides

## Checklist for the Townsend Entrance

- [ ] **Parking tag before Cades Cove** — Required for stops over 15 minutes.
- [ ] **Time Cades Cove for daylight** — The loop is open sunrise to sunset.
- [ ] **Download GOES in Townsend** — Before you head up Little River Road.

Follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. They override anything on this page.

## Great Smoky Mountains park-wide

- **Black bears.** Over the last 10 years the Smokies averaged 339 reported negative human–bear encounters a year. In fall, bears feed heavily (up to 20,000 calories a day) and show up near roadsides. Approaching within 50 yards (150 ft) is illegal. If a black bear attacks and isn't after your food, fight back; don't play dead. Sources: [Smokies black bears](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm); [News release: View elk and black bears safely this fall (Sep 14, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-to-view-elk-and-black-bears-safely-this-fall.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Elk.** It's illegal to approach elk within 25 yards (75 ft). During the fall rut, bulls can be aggressive toward people, vehicles and pets. NPS closed the fields around Oconaluftee and Cataloochee to visitors during the rut, so obey any posted closures. Sources: [News release: View elk and black bears safely this fall (Sep 14, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-to-view-elk-and-black-bears-safely-this-fall.htm); [News release: Approaching elk is dangerous and illegal (Oct 7, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-approaching-elk-is-both-dangerous-and-illegal.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for dangerous animals
- **Wet cold and fast-changing mountain weather.** Temperatures can vary 10–20°F between base and summit, and clear skies lower down don't guarantee the same up high. Rain, then snow, then near-freezing nights is a textbook setup for hypothermia. Sources: [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **GPS and no signal.** NPS warns that GPS units may send drivers the wrong way on one-way roads or to dead ends, and points mobile users to offline maps for areas without cell service. Sources: [Smokies directions & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/directions.htm)
  - In GOES: 125+ extreme weather alerts

## All active Great Smoky Mountains NPS alerts

From the NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- **[Park Closure] Seasonal road closures.** Heintooga Ridge Road, Parson Branch Road, and Rich Mountain Road are closed for the season. (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
- **[Park Closure] Park Headquarters Road is closed.** Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
- **[Park Closure] Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed..** Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed. (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
- **[Information] Most visitors need a parking tag.** All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40). (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm)

## Get the GOES app before the gate

**When signal drops, GOES steps in.** Cades Cove bears, cold rain and slick river rock. Download GOES in Townsend so its offline wildlife and cold-weather guidance travels with you.

GOES — Outdoor Health & Safety is your outdoor safety companion: an offline interactive health assessment, 50+ visual how-to guides, 200+ prevention tips across 60+ medical topics, and location-specific risk indicators (wildlife, cold, heat, altitude, ticks, poisonous plants, UV, smoke). Built by wilderness medicine physicians: founded by Dr. Grant Lipman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colin Little, MD, FAWM.

- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goes-outdoor-health-safety/id1576527901
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goes.mobile
- About GOES: https://goes.health/platform

Free to download. Premium features need a monthly or annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

## Other Great Smoky Mountains entrances

- [Gatlinburg Entrance (Sugarlands)](https://parks.goes.health/parks/great-smoky-mountains/gatlinburg-entrance.md): Open — Winter Weather Advisory
- [Cherokee Entrance (Oconaluftee)](https://parks.goes.health/parks/great-smoky-mountains/cherokee-entrance.md): Open — elk area
- [Great Smoky Mountains overview, closures and park-wide risks](https://parks.goes.health/parks/great-smoky-mountains/index.md)

## Sources

Fetched Thu Nov 12, 2026 (JST), which is Wed Nov 11 evening in US time zones. We don't publish wait times, wildlife sightings or conditions we can't source.

- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [Smokies seasonal road schedule (2026 season)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
- [NPS Great Smoky Mountains alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [NWS Morristown: Winter Weather Advisory (issued Nov 11, until Nov 14 7 am EST)](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.685&lon=-83.537)
- [NPS Great Smoky Mountains fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [Smokies current conditions & trail closures](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [News release: View elk and black bears safely this fall (Sep 14, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-to-view-elk-and-black-bears-safely-this-fall.htm)
- [Smokies black bears](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [News release: Approaching elk is dangerous and illegal (Oct 7, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-reminds-visitors-approaching-elk-is-both-dangerous-and-illegal.htm)
- [Smokies directions & GPS warning](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/directions.htm)
- [NPS Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm)

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*GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. ParkReady Guides is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. Conditions change quickly; check the linked NPS pages before you go. In an emergency, call 911.*

ParkReady Guides by GOES Health · Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from NPS and NWS. Agent overview: https://parks.goes.health/llms.txt · Conditions feed (JSON): https://parks.goes.health/conditions.json