As the federal government shutdown persists, U.S. national parks struggle with mounting issues, including a lack of staff to deal with daily operations, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is no exception. However, state and local partners will continue to fund the park, but not for long, and only for basic services and limited staffing, until January 4, 2026.

Speaking with East Tennessee's Knox News , Smokies Life CEO Jacqueline Harp said that visitors to the park should "take the time to do their due diligence and really do research and offer grace to National Park Service employees.” The outside funding has helped the park run since the government shutdown, and Pigeon Forge, the gateway town to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just had a "fantastic October," said Amy Warner

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