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If you’re planning a trip to Laurel Falls, you’ll need to keep it on your future hiking list a little longer.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park says rehabilitation work is continuing, but the trail is now expected to reopen sometime in 2027. During construction of the new lower viewing platform, crews encountered unexpected underground conditions that required design changes, extending the project timeline.

While the delay is disappointing, park officials say the finished project will provide a safer, more durable trail with exciting new features for visitors, including:

🌉 A new bridge at the upper falls offering a safer view of the waterfall.
🏔️ A scenic observation deck with sweeping views toward Blanket Mountain.
🅿️ More than 50 new parking spaces, funded through parking tag revenue.
🪨 New retaining and seat walls built with locally sourced stone, giving hikers more places to stop and rest.

Mountain construction often comes with surprises, but these improvements are designed to enhance the Laurel Falls experience for years to come.

🥾 Looking for another adventure while Laurel Falls is closed? Great Smoky Mountains National Park has dozens of beautiful day hikes waiting to be explored.

📸 Swipe through to see the latest construction progress behind the scenes!