Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

National Park Service

Tennessee National Park Alerts

Current alerts the National Park Service has posted for national park sites in Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains have their own page with road events.

  • Checked every 30 minutes
  • 12 park sites

Photo: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Victoria Stauffenberg, Public domain

Park sites

Alerts by park site

Closures, cautions and information notices.

Retrieved Oct 2, 12:05 am ET (11:05 pm CT)

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big South Fork’s Brewster Bridge Road to Temporarily Close for Repair

Brewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork NRRA will temporarily close for repair and re-pavement beginning on Monday, June 29. The road was heavily damaged from significant rain events in 2022 and 2023. The area boat launch and day use area will be inaccessible during the project.

Information · NPS notice

The Use of Drones is Prohibited at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Currently, the use of drones is prohibited at Big South Fork and all National Parks. Detailed information about the policy is available…

Information · NPS notice

Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge

Big South Fork NRRA has announced the temporary closure of the historic Blue Heron Tipple Bridge, effective immediately in the interest of visitor safety. A recent bridge safety inspection conducted by the Federal Highway Administration identified structural issues specific to the pier’s bridge decking which is now leaning beyond acceptable standards.

Information · NPS notice

Firewood ban is in effect for the park.

Firewood ban is in effect for the park. Only firewood from the surrounding counties of Scott, Morgan, Pickett, and Fentress, in Tennessee, and McCreary in Kentucky, can be brought into the park. Firewood is for sale or you may use dead and down wood.

Information · NPS notice

Black Bears at Big South Fork

Black bears call Big South Fork NRRA home. Help keep them healthy and safe by storing all food, cooking items, feed, cosmetics and coolers properly stored when at campgrounds or in the backcountry.

Information · NPS notice

Obed Wild and Scenic River

Lilly Bluff Overlook Decking Replacement

Decking replacement is underway at Lilly Bluff Overlook and is expected to take about six weeks. The overlook will remain open, but some sections will be temporarily closed as repairs are completed.

Information

Natchez Trace Parkway

Current Park Closures

Closures may occur due to inclement weather, construction projects, or other emergency conditions. Please visit the linked page for information about current closures.

Park Closure · NPS notice

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Trail Maintenance Underway Near Sand Cave

Crews are using Ridge Trail from Hensley to Sand Cave Trail to complete trail work. Trails remain open; some sections may be muddy or messy.

Information

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Construction Begins on East Brotherton Road in Chickamauga Battlefield

Beginning September 23, the national military park will close East Brotherton Road, between Alexander's Bridge Road and Jay's Mill Road, for construction within Chickamauga Battlefield. During this period, all public traffic will be prohibited on the closed portion of the road. The park asks that visitors and commuters make necessary arrangements and select alternative routes to avoid this section of the road. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience as this project is completed.

Information

Shiloh National Military Park

No alerts listed

Stones River National Battlefield

No alerts listed

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson NB Park Fall Hours

Visitor Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Lands: Pedestrian Access is from sunrise to sunset. Automobile Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Roads 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. daily.

Information

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

Historic Andrew Johnson Homestead Reopens

The Home of our 17th president has reopened to the public. Daily tours available. See GUIDED TOURS information on website for more details.

Information

Notice to travelers to National Cemetery

Due to the narrow roadway & tight turn, RVs, mobile homes, charter buses, delivery trucks, or vehicles with trailers are prohibited from the crest of Monument Hill. Check for information about parking at the Visitor Center upon your arrival.

Caution

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

No alerts listed

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

No alerts listed

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

No alerts listed

Tennessee national park questions

Which parks are covered?

Big South Fork, Obed, the Natchez Trace Parkway, Cumberland Gap, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, Shiloh, Stones River, Fort Donelson, Andrew Johnson, the Manhattan Project park and two national historic trails.

Where are the Great Smoky Mountains?

On their own page, which also lists park road events: Smokies road closures.

Where do these alerts come from?

The National Park Service Data API, which carries the alerts each park posts on its own website.

Do some parks cover more than Tennessee?

Yes. Big South Fork and Cumberland Gap reach into Kentucky, and the Natchez Trace Parkway runs through Alabama and Mississippi. Alerts may concern those sections.

Is this an official Park Service page?

No. Tennessee Conditions is independent and is not affiliated with the National Park Service.

Where the data for national park sites comes from

Every reading is credited to its source, with the time it was taken. Corrections and source questions go to the sources page.

Photo: Piney Creek Falls, Fall Creek Falls State Park. Jsfouche, CC BY-SA 3.0