TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Federal Government Shutdown 2025
Last updated: 10/02/25
PUBLIC LANDS ARE OPEN
Fall is still on in Haywood’s Western NC Mountains! All the best spots to see fall colors in Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde, are open and accessible despite the current government shutdown. This includes the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pisgah National Forest.
Popular scenic drives NC-215 and US-276 are unaffected by the shutdown.
Click through the menu below for more detailed information about the status of Haywood’s federal public lands!
All 46 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood are open and welcoming travelers. Associated trails, like Waterrock Knob, Graveyard Fields, and Devil’s Courthouse, are open for hiking. While some facilities like restrooms may be closed, your autumn cruise through America’s favorite drive remains virtually unaffected––just remember to show extra care to the Parkway and their hardworking essential workers by picking up your trash.
To view road status by milepost, visit https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park roads and trails, including Cataloochee Valley, remain open. Cataloochee Campground is open and honoring reservations. Please note, services such as restroom and trash pickup are unavailable, so visitors should plan to pack out their trash and bring necessary toiletries.
For more updates on current conditions in the Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
Pisgah National Forest reports no shutdown-related closures or disruptions at this time. Popular hikes like Black Balsam Knob, Flat Laurel Creek, Sam Knob, and the Art Loeb Trail are open. Sunburst Campground is also open.
For all alerts regarding Pisgah National Forest traffic and trail alerts, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts.
