September 30, 2023

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.