Press release from the Great Smoky Mountains Association:
Before Clingmans Dome Road closes for the winter, Great Smoky Mountains Association invites all park visitors to an open house at the visitor center store in honor of the season.
Due to normal national park seasonal procedures, Clingmans Dome Road and Clingmans Dome Visitor Center are typically closed to the driving public from Dec. 1 through April 1. However, as long as the weather cooperates, the road and visitor center will remain open through Sunday evening, Dec. 2.
GSMA will host an open house at Clingmans Dome Visitor Center on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2, during regular store hours from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visitors will be greeted with light refreshments as they take one last stroll around the visitor center before the season ends. All Clingmans Dome-branded merchandise will be 20% off (with the exclusion of additional discounts). Sale prices are available in-store only.
Located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, 7 miles from Newfound Gap at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, Clingmans Dome Visitor Center sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet. A 0.5-mile trail leads from the visitor center to the Clingmans Dome observation tower atop Clingmans Dome – the highest peak in the Smokies.The Clingmans Dome observation tower is open year around. Multiple trails lead to the dome, and hikers are always permitted to walk the closed road.
Those interested in purchasing park-related educational items and gifts, as well as making end-of-year contributions to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, may do so at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Cades Cove Visitor Center and Oconaluftee Visitor Center, all of which remain open throughout the year. GSMA’s online store is also available at SmokiesInformation.org.
Since its inception in 1953, Great Smoky Mountains Association has supported the preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by promoting greater public understanding and appreciation through education, interpretation and research. A non-profit cooperative association and national park partner, GSMA has provided more than $44 million to the park during its 65-year history.
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