How Safe Is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Running along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and encompassing more than 500,000 acres, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular natural attractions in Tennessee. The park offers many miles of trails for biking and hiking, spectacular scenery, and the chance to see some local wildlife.

While millions of people visit the Great Smoky Mountains and other national parks every year without incident, some visitors suffer accidents or incidents that lead to injuries. These parks are in wild, isolated areas. Visitors who aren’t fully prepared may find themselves in trouble.

With that in mind, here are some statistics and safety information about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Safety Tips for Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you have a fun, safe visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

• Know vehicle restrictions. Not all vehicles are allowed in all sections of the park. These restrictions are in place to both preserve natural habitats and prevent visitors from venturing into unsafe areas. Be sure to check the park website before you visit so you know where you can legally, safely take your vehicle.
• Keep up with road closures. Depending on the season and maintenance requirements, some roads in the park may be closed when you visit. To avoid getting lost or entering unsafe areas of the park, check the park website for any road closures that may impact your visit.
• Fill up your gas tank beforehand. Chances are you’ll need to do a fair amount of driving when you visit the park, and running out of gas could leave you stranded in an isolated area with no cell phone service. To avoid stranding yourself, make sure you have a full tank when you arrive at the park.
• Take advantage of pullouts. There are plenty of beautiful spots to take a picture in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it’s important to do so safely. Stopping on the side of the road to take a picture leaves you and your vehicle vulnerable to other drivers if they aren’t careful. To avoid a potential accident, pull over to take pictures on the designated pullouts throughout the park.
• Be watchful and go the speed limit. When you’re driving through a natural forest, it can make for somewhat limited visibility on roads. Be careful when driving, especially around hills and blind curves, and follow posted speed limits to avoid an accident. Motorcycle accidents, in particular, are not uncommon in national parks. Safety tips for motorcyclists include watching for animals that may dart into the road, vehicles that may drift over the centerline, weather changes, and other road hazards, such as fallen tree branches and loose gravel.

Common Accidents in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Some of the most common causes of accidental injuries in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park include:

• Motor vehicle accidents on park roads
• Dehydration
• Drowning
• Overexertion
• Exposure to the elements, especially after dark
• Animal attacks
• Ingesting or coming into contact with poisonous plants
• Slipping on park trails

National Parks Fatalities Statistics

According to an analysis from the National Park Service, about six people die every week in national parks on average. More than half of these deaths are accidental, often due to people overexerting themselves or not taking proper precautions before visiting the park.

Restrictions and Limits of Public Use in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To keep park visitors safe, park officials have placed certain restrictions on what you can do and where you can go in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park does not encourage people to swim in rivers or near waterfalls in the park, as visitors can easily injure themselves. Camping is limited to specified campgrounds, and most vehicles are restricted to specific roads within the park. Check the park website for more information.

How Our Attorneys Can Help You If You Get Injured in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you’re injured in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the personal injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm can help you determine if someone else may be liable for your injuries. Learn more by contacting our office for a free initial consultation.