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Cherokee National Forest officials announced the annual schedule for temporarily disrupted access to motorized vehicles on the northern portion of the forest to protect wildlife habitat, decrease wildlife disturbance, reduce road maintenance costs and public safety.

These disrupted road access are from Dec. 20 through March 18, 2025, in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan, and Johnson counties. 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 uses.

Roads may be closed earlier than scheduled due to poor road conditions brought on by extreme weather. 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 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 a National Forest System Road. For additional information, contact the following Forest Service offices: Unaka Ranger Station, Greeneville, at (423) 638-4109; Watauga Ranger Station, Unicoi, at (423) 735-1500.

Roads which will be closed in the Watauga District in Carter County include:

– Moffett Laurel open to second gate.

– Jenkins Mountain.

– Piney Grove open to second gate.

– Cedar Gap open to double gate.

– Little Pond Mountain, Frog Level, Holston Mountain, Mill Creek off Panhandle Road, Bitter End, and White Rock.

– Johnson County roads include Gouge Tract, Parks Branch, and Robbins Hollow.

– Unicoi County roads include Irishman’s Branch, Little Mountain, and Unaka Mountain in the Unaka District.

– Washington County roads in the Unaka District include Briar Creek, Rich Mountain, Horse Cove Gap, Ramsey Creek, and Tellico Branch.

Forest service roads in the Watauga District with interrupted service include George Creek in Carter County for timber sale, Sink Mountain, Camp Ahistata in Johnson County, closed for construction and resource damage.

Cherry Flats in Carter County is permanently closed due to storm damage as is Whetstone Branch Road in Johnson County, and Rocky Branch Road and Martin Creek in Unicoi County.