If you drove to the Chimney Tops trailhead on Newfound Gap Road expecting to scramble up the twin rock pinnacles you’ve seen in photos, you may be surprised to find a locked gate about a quarter-mile short of the top. That’s not a temporary closure — it’s been in place for years, and the National Park Service has said it will stay closed while officials monitor whether the ground will ever stabilize enough to rebuild a trail to the summit.
This guide explains exactly what’s closed (and what isn’t) at Chimney Tops, why the National Park Service made that call, and which nearby trails deliver the same kind of dramatic, rocky, big-view payoff without walking into a closed area.
Quick Answer
The Chimney Tops Trail itself is open for its first stretch, ending at a constructed observation deck with views of Mount LeConte and the Chimney Tops pinnacles. The final quarter-mile — the exposed rock scramble to the actual twin summits — has been closed since the park rebuilt the trail after the November 2016 wildfire and remains closed until further notice. The Park Service says that section is too unstable and hazardous for public access right now, and it will consider rebuilding a trail to the pinnacles only if the ground is someday determined to be safe and stable enough — there’s no timeline for that happening.
Why the Summit Section Remains Closed
The Chimney Tops fire started on November 23, 2016, on the slopes near the summit and, driven by drought and high winds, eventually merged with other fires and swept into Gatlinburg. The pinnacle area itself was left scorched and destabilized, with loose rock and dead trees making the old scramble route to the top genuinely dangerous.
When the park reopened the trail in October 2017, crews had built a new observation platform below the old summit rather than restoring the scramble. In its own announcement at the time, the park said the top quarter-mile to the pinnacles was too heavily damaged and would remain closed until further notice due to significant safety concerns — and that it would consider trail rehabilitation in that area only if the ground is someday determined to be safe and stabilized enough for sustainable trail construction. A gate and signage mark where the maintained trail ends, and ignoring it isn’t just a rule violation — it means walking onto genuinely unstable terrain with no maintained path.
The lower trail also occasionally sees short-term closures unrelated to the summit gate — for example, brief trailhead parking closures during Newfound Gap Road paving work. Always check the park’s current closures page before you go, since conditions and short-term closures change.
Best Alternative View Hikes Near Chimney Tops
Alum Cave Trail to Alum Cave Bluffs: Starting from a trailhead just a few miles south of Chimney Tops on Newfound Gap Road, this is the closest match in character — Arch Rock, cliffside sections with cable handholds, and the dramatic overhanging bluff itself. It’s a moderately strenuous round trip with a steady climb; turning around at Arch Rock makes for a shorter, easier option. Strong hikers can continue past the bluffs to Mount LeConte for one of the park’s best summit views.
Charlies Bunion via the Appalachian Trail: From the same Newfound Gap parking area, this out-and-back runs a substantial round trip with real elevation gain, ending at a bare rock outcrop with sweeping views into North Carolina. It’s rocky and the second half is more strenuous, but it’s a classic reward-for-effort hike that rivals what Chimney Tops used to offer.
Mount Cammerer Fire Tower: For a bigger day, the Low Gap Trail route to the historic stone-and-wood fire tower on Mount Cammerer is a long, demanding round trip with major elevation gain. The octagonal tower delivers a wraparound panorama that’s one of the most complete views in the park — a serious but unforgettable option for experienced hikers.
Andrews Bald: For a shorter, easier alternative, walk the Forney Ridge Trail from the Clingmans Dome parking area to Andrews Bald, a moderate round trip with most of the climbing on the return leg. The open, grassy bald gives wide mountain views without the exposure or scrambling of the other options.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t go around the gate at the Chimney Tops observation deck. Rangers regularly cite or rescue hikers who ignore the closure signage; the area past the deck has no maintained tread and is prone to rockfall.
Arrive early. Chimney Tops, Alum Cave, and Clingmans Dome all have small trailhead lots off Newfound Gap Road that fill by mid-morning, especially on weekends and during fall color season.
Check current conditions before you drive up. Newfound Gap Road paving projects, storm damage, and seasonal closures can shut trailhead parking or sections of trail with little notice — the park’s temporary closures page is the authoritative source.
Match the hike to your group. Alum Cave to the bluffs and Andrews Bald are reasonable for most fitness levels; Charlies Bunion and Mount Cammerer are full-day, boots-and-water commitments.
Explore more: More things to do in the Smokies.
Chimney Tops Trail closure FAQs
Is the Chimney Tops Trail completely closed?
No. The lower section to the observation deck remains open. Only the final scramble to the actual twin pinnacles, past a locked gate, is closed — it has stayed that way since the trail was rebuilt after the 2016 wildfire.
Will Chimney Tops ever reopen to the summit?
There’s no timeline. The Park Service has said the closed area will remain off-limits until further notice and that it will keep monitoring the ground over time, considering trail rehabilitation only if the terrain is someday determined to be stable enough for sustainable construction — officials have indicated that could take years or considerably longer, with no guarantee it happens.
What’s the closest alternative hike to Chimney Tops?
Alum Cave Trail, a few miles south on the same Newfound Gap Road, is the closest match — a comparable climb and dramatic rock features like Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs.
Which alternative hike has the easiest access for families?
Andrews Bald, reached from the Clingmans Dome parking area, is the shortest and gentlest option of the group, with open bald views at the top.
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Photo: ChrisWx / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.