Great Smoky Mountains: Metcalf Bottoms Bridge Closed to Pedestrians

If you're planning a day on the west side of Great Smoky Mountains, here's a constraint to work into your itinerary right now. Metcalf Bottoms Bridge is currently closed to pedestrians because of damage found on the structure. The closure stays in effect until further notice, with no reopening date announced.

In practical terms, you can no longer walk across from the picnic area to reach the far bank. That's the very crossing that led to the start of the Metcalf Bottoms Trail. The usual shortcut, parking on the picnic side and then walking over the bridge, won't work until the repair is done.

There's still a way onto the trail, but you'll need to head straight for the parking near the trailhead. Keep in mind that this lot is small, just a few spaces, and they fill up fast in peak season. Our advice is to arrive early in the morning or outside the busiest hours, or you'll end up circling with nowhere to park.

Also keep in mind that the picnic area itself is still a pleasant spot for a lunch break, even though it no longer connects to the trail by way of the bridge. If the trailhead parking is full when you get there, it's better to switch to another walk in the area than to keep trying.

This kind of structure closure is common in a park this large, and the list of affected access points shifts with the seasons. Before you head out, check the day's road and trail conditions, then plan your outing accordingly. To place Metcalf Bottoms within the larger park and scope out nearby hiking alternatives, lean on the Great Smoky Mountains park guide, which pulls together the sectors and their entry points.

The bottom line: the bridge is no longer walkable, the trail is still reachable from the small lot at the trailhead, and a little planning around your timing will spare you a nasty surprise on site.