Good Morning,

Oh, what a beautiful day we get to enjoy here in the Smokies. Really couldn’t wrap up September any better. Skies will be sunny today with pleasant temps up top reaching the 60s this afternoon. More of the same for tomorrow and the next several days in fact. Expect the park to be a beehive of activity with folks flocking in to start witnessing the changing leaves.

Like many of you, we continue to closely monitor if a federal government shutdown will indeed take place after tonight. Although we are still waiting on direction from GSMNP on how a lapse in appropriations will specifically affect this national park and thus the lodge, we have received word that the lodge will be able to operate as normal at least through Monday, October 2nd. So if you have a reservation for tomorrow night, you are good to come on up as planned. We hope to have more information to pass along soon as it relates to our guests and interested day hikers for the coming week. Again, this situation is out of our control, and we greatly thank you for your understanding and support.

We can say with certainty that regardless of the possible shutdown situation, our reservations team will proceed with bookings for the 2024 season as planned beginning Monday, October 2 at 8:00 AM Eastern. If for some reason a possible government shutdown causes us to modify our receiving of emails or phone calls, we will certainly relay that information as soon as possible.

​Have a great day.

Attention Valued Guests,

At this time, Congress has not passed legislation to continue funding the government.  There is a legitimate possibility that the federal government shuts down at midnight Sunday, October 1, 2023.  In the event of a shutdown, the National Park Service will modify its operations throughout the country, which directly affects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  If GSMNP implements a park-wide shutdown of concessions facilities and operations beginning on October 1st, LeConte Lodge would be closed, as we adhere to NPS regulations and policies.  This means no visitor services for both overnight guests and day hikers will occur until a closure is lifted by GSMNP.  Please note that anyone entering GSMNP property during a government shutdown does so at their sole risk, as NPS or LeConte Lodge personnel may not be available to provide assistance or emergency response.  We will inform you as soon as NPS and GSMNP, provide us with their plan and directives.

In the event GSMNP closes LeConte Lodge during a federal government shutdown, each guest with reservations affected by the closure will have the opportunity to roll their reservation to the corresponding date in 2024, reserve other date(s) in 2024 that may be available, or request a refund.  We will provide more details on these options if a shutdown does occur.

As our valued guest, we want to alert you to this possibility so that you can plan accordingly.  We will post up-to-date information on our official website, www.lecontelodge.com, as well as this blog and social media pages, as more information becomes available.  We apologize for any inconvenience this notice may have in your planning, but seek to give you as much notice as has been made possible in the event there is a federal government shutdown.  Thank you for your understanding and support, as this matter is not in our control.

Good Morning,

September has been an absolutely gorgeous month in the Smokies this year, and it’s final hours look to continue that trend. Mostly sunny skies are expected today and tomorrow with high temps tagging the lower 60s and overnight lows scraping the upper 40s. As the upper elevation leaf change kicks into gear, and with such a delightful forecast thrown in, expect the national park to be absolutely bustling this weekend. As the possibility of a federal government shutdown beginning Sunday weighs on everyone’s minds, there are going to be a solid number of day hikers hoping to climb the mountain while access to the entire park remains open. We have still not received any indication yet as to what the NPS will do here in GSMNP and how that might affect the lodge. Our team is monitoring the situation very closely and will communicate pertinent information to possibly affected guests as soon as we receive it.

​Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,

What started out as a misty fog-filled morning eventually broke free into open sunshine by lunch time. It’s a bit warm and humid in the lowlands today but still feels extraordinary up top. We have a glorious weekend on tap calling for more sunny skies and temps between 50-60°. With each passing day, leaves all around the mountain continue to show evidence of changing.

As we still await word on whether a federal government shutdown will occur in a couple days time, and how that might affect us here in the Smokies, it’s worth encouraging everyone to visit the lodge this weekend while it remains open and offering visitor services. Our hard working team loaded up the gift shop shelves with shirts, hoodies, and other great souvenirs last week. So take advantage of the fabulous forecast and come earn your “I Hiked It” apparel before month’s end.

Have a great rest of the day.

Good Afternoon,

​Well yesterday held on to be another picturesque day in the mountains, and despite a more cloud-filled sky overhead this Wednesday, the threat of rain is yet to come to fruition. There remains a slight possibility for some wet weather this evening, but at this point it may come as a brief surprise. Temps are stable between overnight lows in the 40s and day time highs in the 60s. It truly feels like autumn on the mountain now, and with each passing day a few more colors change for leaf peeping enthusiasts to enjoy.

We continue to closely monitor the situation regarding the potential federal government shutdown. At this time, we are awaiting direction from the NPS as to how they will handle a possible federal government shutdown, should one go into effect beginning Sunday, October 1st. As a concession operating within federal jurisdiction, LeConte Lodge is obligated to abide by whatever altered practices and regulations the NPS puts in place during a government shutdown. We recognize the inconvenient timing such an event has with our annual process of booking for next season, but this matter is out of our control. The moment we receive essential information regarding a possible government shutdown and how it might affect the visitor experience to LeConte Lodge, we will share that news here, across our social media platforms, and via email to our upcoming guests. Thank you for your continued understanding, support, and patience as we navigate this process together.

​Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

It’s officially the last day of summer, and we’ll get to send it out in style. All things considered, this edition of September has been a delightful one for visiting the mountains. Some of the best stretches of weather we’ve gotten to enjoy all year have taken place this month. Thankfully, we’re still due for a few more days of it before we witness the return of precip possibilities, which will surely draw the crowds to the Smokies this first weekend autumn. Skies will be mostly sunny today, and temps will continue to roll between 40s and 50s. Winds are going to pickup over the coming hours, gusting upwards of 15mph today then 30mph tomorrow. That will definitely add to the chill when the thermometer reads at its lowest.

One last reminder that today is the last chance to submit online written requests for consideration when 2024 bookings begin on Monday, October 2nd. All others received after today will not be considered until those submitted before today’s cutoff have been processed, of which there are thousands. Give yourself the best possible chance at garnering a reservation for next season and visit our website today!

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

We’re in and out of the clouds this Thursday atop Tennessee, and fully expect skies to continue to do this sunshine-to-socked-in tango. The conditions feel grand while on trail, but we’re getting into the time of year it does not take long for that chill to set in once resting at our elevation. The deeper we dive into autumn, the greater the risks of hypothermia for those spending time in the woods unprepared for the elements. So remember the layers for warmth and staying dry. Temps are in the 50s during the day and 40s at night and will keep that trend through the weekend. The trail traffic has been mild this week, but with such a favorable future forecast and the excitement of the fall season building, one should plan on the Smokies being quite busy this weekend.

Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

​The delightful weather we’ve been enjoying as the seasons transition will continue today. Skies will see a mix of sun and clouds with breezy conditions over the higher peaks. Temps are consistently chilly most mornings in the 40s until the sun has a chance to gain some height and warm the air. This afternoon the lodge might be lucky enough to briefly tag 60°. Sitting or trekking while in the rays of the sun feels splendid, but any length of time in the shade and it doesn’t take long for one to feel the chill. Packing those extra layers for comfort are going to be necessary these final nine weeks of the 2023 season.

We are of course keeping a close eye on the situation regarding a possible federal government shutdown that could begin October 1st. How it affects the lodge is entirely up to the National Park Service as a federal entity, and completely out of our control. We have not received word yet on what GSMNP would plan to do this time if a government shutdown comes to fruition. We will of course share any pertinent info promptly upon receipt and communicate important instruction to guests with overnight reservations who might be affected by a possible government shutdown. The timing of a potential government shutdown inconveniently coincides with when we look to start booking for the 2024 season this coming Monday, October 2nd. Please understand that we may have to free up the phone lines and emails to contact affected guests with existing reservations, in which case anyone hoping to get in on a 2024 reservation should submit an online written request now and not depend solely on trying to get through via phone. Reminder that the cutoff for submitting written requests before booking begins is this Friday, September 22nd.

​Have a great day.