GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — The federal government shutdown is affecting East Tennessee's biggest tourism draw.

Several areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be inaccessible to the public during the shutdown, including popular spots like the Cades Cove Loop and Visitors Center, and the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Sevier County has been working with state and local governments to make a plan to fund park operations during the shutdown.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Sevier County said:

"Sevier County, the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the State of North Carolina, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have been working t

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