October 31, 2025

Another chilly day befalls the mountains this Halloween, but rejoice, as sunshine is on the way! Between the icy temps and cutting breezes, it’s going to feel frigid up top today, with windchills easily dipping into the teens at times. The injections of sunlight in between fracturing clouds will do well to boost the hiking spirit though, even if there’s little warmth to be had from it. Count on trails to be plenty wet down lower and even icy up higher today. With what little snow we received over the past 36 hours, the sun should have an easy time melting off what ever remains on trees and other exposed surfaces. We’ll have to endure another sub-freezing evening tonight, but Saturday is expected to bring slightly warmer temps in the 40s at our elevation combined with partly sunny clouds.

It’s sure to be another busy weekend in the national park. Visitors will be flocking to the upper elevations to catch a glimpse of lingering snow or experience the icy temps. Others will be oohing and aahing over the changing leaves currently peaking across the mid to lower elevations of the park. In all instances, come prepared for the colder conditions and pack the patience for bustling roads and trails.

As the federal gov’t shutdown lingers on, it’s been announced that the national park will continue to receive outside funding to maintain basic services through the rest of the year. As we get into the second half of autumn, it is typical that various roads and facilities around the park are closed for the winter season anyways. The Lodge will press on as normal these final few weeks of the season. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthesmokies.org/blog/smokies-to-remain-open-through-jan-4-amid-ongoing-shutdown/ .

Reminder that this Sunday sees the time change associated with Daylight Savings. So don’t forget to reset those clocks and alarms sometime Saturday night. What’s that mean for Lodge guests? Well, as is typical we have to shift guest supper service to a later time to account for the earlier setting sun. So that guests can still have an opportunity to enjoy sunset at Cliff Tops, we’ll be serving supper at 6:15 PM starting Sunday and thru the next week. Guests will be able to catch the grand spectacle first, then safely make the trek back down to the dining hall to partake of a fitting warm feast afterward. All other meal times and visitor service hours will remain as is until we close in a few weeks time.