All parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will reopen and be fully operational thanks to leadership and money from a group of state and local leaders.

The plan, which is expected to be implemented a week at a time during the federal government shutdown, was announced late Oct. 3 and means the park will be completely open from Oct. 4-10, according to a news release from Friends of the Smokies, a nonprofit partner of the park.

The park, like many across the country, closed its operations amid the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. Most roads and trails remained open but some services were not be available . Cades Cove, one of the most popular sites in the park, was closed, along with its visitor center.

How does this work?

Ahead of the shutdown, nonprofits, local

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