Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced that all 56 Tennessee state parks and state-owned natural areas are closed to the public.
The closure will last at least through April 14 in support of Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive order requiring all citizens to stay at home. This is a complete closure of facilities and access to all Tennessee State Parks and Designated State Natural Areas.
In the east Tennessee region near Sevier County, this means Seven Islands State Birding Park, Fort Loudon State Park and Panther Creek State Park are all closed.
All state park trails & public spaces closed, including:
- Trails and Scenic Overlooks
- Public Restrooms and Bathhouses
- Parking Lots
- Picnic Areas and Picnic Shelters
- Playgrounds
- Open areas, fields, forests, and all undeveloped areas
- Boat Ramps managed by Tennessee State Parks
- Visitor Centers
- Park Offices
- Assembly Halls or Recreational Buildings
- Marinas
- Camper Check-Ins
- Seasonal Operations
- Leased Operations
All park cabins, lodges, group overnight facilities, and campgrounds are also closed. At this time, rentable facilities with prior reservations between April 15 and April 30 will be honored.
“We decided to close the parks in support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “The health and safety of Tennessee citizens is all of our top priority right now.”
Tennessee Valley Authority has also closed certain recreation areas.
As of April 3, the following TVA recreation areas are closed:
- Chatuge Dam Recreation Area
- Cherokee Dam Recreation Area
- Chickamauga Dam Recreation Area
- Fort Loudoun Dam Recreation Area
- Guntersville Dam Recreation Area (South Side)
- Norris Dam Recreation Area
- Normandy Dam Recreation Area
- Tellico Dam Recreation Area
- Watts Bar Dam Recreation Area
- Rockpile Recreation Area
- All Raccoon Mountain Recreation Areas
- Fontana Dam Appalachian Trail shelter and overlook
- South Holston Dam upper overlook area
- TVA-managed campgrounds at Cherokee, Douglas, Melton Hill, Pickwick and Watauga dams
Boat ramps within the impacted areas are also closed, but boat ramps for lakes and rivers outside of closed recreation areas remain accessible. All picnic areas, restrooms, beaches and pavilions are also closed. The public is asked not to bypass gates, fences or barricades to access the closed areas. Law enforcement officers will be patrolling closed areas.
TVA did not say when recreation facilities would reopen.
Cherokee National Forest Closures
All park offices, camping, cabins, group recreation sites, and restrooms in the Cherokee National Forest will remain closed until at least May 15, at which time it will be reevaluated.
This closure includes the Ocoee Whitewater Center, Chilhowee Day Use, Buffalo Mtn. ATV Trail, all campgrounds, cabins, beaches, shooting ranges, picnic pavilions and all restrooms.
Boat launches, some trailheads, and the general forest area, including trails and river corridors, will remain open to hiking, biking, boating, dispersed camping, hunting, fishing, etc. The use of trail shelters on the Appalachian Trail is discouraged. Please follow social distancing guidelines and as there are no restroom facilities, practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash and refuse.
Click here for a list of closed trailheads.
“We realize our communities and our visitors value the recreation opportunities the forest has to offer,” said JaSal Morris, Cherokee National Forest Supervisor. “A lot of consideration went into this decision. The health and safety of our employees and the public remain our top priority.”
Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High-risk activities such as rock climbing or motorized activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed indefinitely.
City parks in Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are closed.
With so many closures, you might be asking where in Sevier County you can walk and get some exercise. While Sevierville’s city parks are closed, its Greenways remain open. Remember to practice social distancing and wear a mask or other cloth covering over your face as advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Photo: Seven Islands State Birding Park/Facebook
