Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — The National Park Service said Wednesday leaders are taking steps to improve one of the most popular trails in the Great Smoky Mountains — Laurel Falls Trail. According to a release, more than 375,000 visitors hiked the 1.3-mile trail in 2020.
Park leaders completed an environmental assessment and approved the proposed Laurel Falls Trail Management Plan. It's meant to improve visitor experience, safety, parking and trail rehabilitation. The plan gives park managers the option to resurface and widen the trail or build a new viewing platform.
They can also install new signs at the trailhead and along the trail, or build a wider bridge at the upper falls to accommodate more people. Parker managers can also work to expand the number of available designated parking spaces or implement a shuttle service with a timed-entry parking reservation system.
According to a release from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, leaders aim to implement the plan and start construction in 2024. The NPS said it expects Laurel Falls Trail to close for at least 18 months while improvements are installed.
The NPS said Wednesday it also does not have a timeline for the implementation of a parking reservation system. In a release, the service said it would share updates on trail closures and project closures.