How would a government shut-down affect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

If a government shut-down were to take place in the United States, millions of lives would be affected, both in the United States and abroad. The impact on so many goods and services would be felt immediately. One of those is our National Park System.

During the last government shut-down in 1995 during President Clinton's administration, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was closed for almost a month. Campers were given 48 hours to vacate their sites, entrance gates were locked and visitor centers closed. The National Park Service was forced to close more than 350 locations throughout the country and 7 million visitors to these locations were lost.

The impact on vacationers to the Smokies now would be tremendous. The last shut-down occurred during the winter when there are traditionally fewer visitors to the park and the surrounding communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. If it happened in the spring or summer seasons, which are a booming time for tourism in the area, the effects would be devastating. Spring or summer break, field trips, weddings, vacations and reunions are all popular during this time. Many are planned for months and may have to be cancelled or rescheduled. Those with reservations at any of the park's campgrounds would also have to cancel or reschedule, although a refund of the reservation deposit may be possible. Hikers may not trek to the mountains' beautiful vistas, and those through-hiking on the Appalachian Trail may have a substantial detour.Local outfitters would be forced to cancel or postpone planned hikes. Hopefully, Congress will "keep it together" so we won't lose the ability to visit some of our precious natural resources.