LeConte Lodge

10/15/2026

Snow showers this weekend you say? We’re all ears!
👂❄️🤔🏔️

The mountain is basking in temps in the 60s today, but by tomorrow night everything will feel and possibly look much different. Rain transitioning to snow, accompanied by windchills in the teens at our elevation, is all being projected to begin the weekend. Evaluate that gear for staying dry and warm if hoping to explore the wilderness!

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-15-2026

10/13/2026

Ideal autumn hiking conditions this week. Abundant sunshine and temps in the 50s and 60s atop Mt. LeConte. Vibrant trees and distant views all to be enjoyed! ☀️⛰️🍁

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-13-2026

10/12/2026

It’s going to be a sunny week in the mountains! It’ll feel more like autumn at our elevation though, courtesy of those cool breezes. Already this morning the Lodge was experiencing windchills in the 30s. Pack those layers from here on out!

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-12-2026

10/11/2026

🟢 US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is back open, once again providing access to trails like Alum Cave and The Boulevard.

Beginning today, overnight guests will be served supper at 5:30 PM to allow for adequate time to enjoy their meal and make the trek up to Cliff Tops for sunset. This will be in effect until November 1 when the next time change occurs. Breakfast for overnight guests will remain at 8:00 AM.

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-11-2026

10/11/2026

🔴US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) remains closed this morning, but the High Wind Warning has since expired. NPS crews will use this morning to assess the roadway for any potential hazards or obstructions resulting from the storm, with hopes of being able to reopen it soon.

🟢Meanwhile, Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork remain open and available to hikers for accessing Mt. LeConte via Rainbow Falls or Trillium Gap trails.

🌧️Scattered rain showers and breezy conditions will still be prevalent today and into tomorrow, so travelers should continue to use caution and pack accordingly.

10/10/2026

Scattered rain showers and breezy conditions arrived overnight in the mountains. A High Wind Warning remains in effect for our area until 8:00 AM Sunday.

US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) remains closed at this time, but Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork remain open, providing access to the Lodge via Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap trails.

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-10-2026

10/09/2026

⚠️US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) will be closing tonight at 8:00 PM due to the expected high winds this weekend.

Lodge guests with vehicles currently parked at Alum Cave or Newfound Gap choosing to hike down to their vehicles Saturday should be prepared for the possibility of downed trees between either trailhead and park boundary gates, leading to delays for exiting the park.

There are no planned closures of Cherokee Orchard Road or Roaring Fork at this time, meaning Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap trails remain open and accessible. With their location being on the north side of Mt. LeConte, those roads and trails will also be more sheltered from the winds coming out of the south.

Guests who had shuttle drop offs/pick ups along US 441 for Saturday will need to utilize either Rainbow Falls or Trillium Gap trails instead, but also understand that last minute closures of those roads could occur, requiring additional road walking to reach Gatlinburg if the shuttles are not permitted entry.

The NPS has not instructed the Lodge to close, nor have they instructed occupants to shelter in place. The Lodge will continue to provide updates as new verifiable information becomes available.

U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road is now open. Access to Balsam Mountain Campground remains closed.

Please stay up to date on current conditions and closures by checking our website (linked in the comments).

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Closure update: U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road will remain closed for the rest of today, Oct. 10, due to forecasted weather conditions. The road will be reassessed tomorrow.

Please stay up to date on current conditions and closures by checking our website (linked in the comments).

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road at 8 p.m. due to expected strong winds associated with Hurricane Isaias and the potential for downed trees and debris. Additionally, Balsam Mountain Campground will close today at 5 p.m.

Visitors are advised to prepare for weather impacts from Hurricane Isaias this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the area starting Friday, with potential for 70 mph wind gusts forecast for the Tennessee side of the park.

Trailhead access may be limited this weekend due to road closures and storm damage, and emergency response may be delayed.

Please stay informed by following updates from the National Weather Service and checking the park website for information on current conditions and closures.

➡️ Link to the closures and alerts page is in the comments.

NPS Graphic

10/09/2026

It’s been an amazing week to witness the autumn season get underway, but a potentially wet and windy weekend is on tap.

Rain showers and winds associated with storm Isaias will begin tomorrow morning, the strongest gusts expected late Saturday. Use caution, plan accordingly, and keep an eye out for updates regarding road and trail conditions within the park.

https://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts/october-9-2026

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

The NPS’ airlift for removing the Recreation Building demolition is now complete! 😁 🚁 ⛰️

Visitors to the Lodge will once again have regular morning access to the grounds, including water spigots, restrooms, and the gift shop from 9:00-10:00 AM.