Cherokee Nat’l Forest announces seasonal road management schedule
Published 11:07 am Friday, September 4, 2020
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Officials at the Cherokee National Forest have announced the annual schedule for opening and closing certain roads from September 14 through May 20, 2021. These roads are located in the northern portion of the Cherokee National Forest (Unaka & Watauga Ranger Districts–Cherokee Wildlife Management Area) in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan and Johnson counties.
Certain roads in the Cherokee National Forest are systematically closed to motorized vehicle use to protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance and reduce road maintenance costs. However, some of these roads are temporarily opened for short periods to provide seasonal public access for various uses including fall color viewing, hunting, and other activities.
Roads may be closed earlier than scheduled due to poor road conditions brought on by extreme weather conditions or fire danger. These weather conditions may include freezing/thawing, extreme drought, fire danger or storm damage. In some cases roads sustain severe damage from vehicle use and are closed to protect the various natural resources. Forest visitors are asked to leave all gates free of obstructions and to not block gates when parking. Hunters are reminded it is illegal to discharge firearms from or across National Forest SystemRoad. For additional information, contact the following Forest Service offices: Unaka Ranger Station, Greeneville, TN–Phone: 423–638–4109; Watauga Ranger Station, Unicoi, TN–Phone: 423–735–1500. For information regarding hunting seasons and regulations, contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyRegion IV, Morristown, TN–Phone: 1–800–332-0900.
Roads, which will be open Sept. 14 through Sept. 21 in Carter County include Moffett Laurel, open to the second gate; Jenkins Mountain, Piney Grove, open to the second gate, and Cedar Gap.
Johnson County forest service roads open include Parks Branch, open 1 mile to the second gate, and Robbins Hollow, open 4.5 miles to second gate. The Robbins Hollow road is in a bear reserve.
Road which will be closed in the Carter County area of the national forest for timber sale include Cherry Flats and Little Pond Mountain.
Forest service roads in the county, which will be closed Dec. 21 through Mar. 20 include Frong Lege, Mill Creek/Holston Mountain, Bitter End, White Rock, ad George Branch.
