NC/TN – Severe Damage – Davenport Gap & I-40 Area, Updated 7/1/25
nc
|gsmnp
|tn
|Hiking Safety
Alert
07/01/2025
Update: Interstate 40 in this area has reopened with narrow lanes. Davenport Gap is accessible via Route 32 through Cosby, TN; we have not received reports about the condition of Waterville Road.
Green Corner Road where the A.T. crosses under the interstate is being used as a staging area for heavy equipment conducting road repairs. Hikers should continue to use extreme caution in this area. Standing Bear Farm Hostel, a popular resupply stop for A.T. hikers on Green Corner Road, was severely damaged. Call ahead to check on availability of services. Hikers should not plan to resupply in this area for now.
—
06/26/2025
Update: Hikers are urged to use extreme caution when traversing the area. Resupply options continue to be non-existent in the vicinity of I-40. Tennessee transportation officials anticipate I-40 reopening at or before July 3rd.
—
06/20/2025
Update: Reports today tell us that the A.T. immediately north and south of Interstate 40 only saw severe damage in a few spots. The A.T. further south into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and north toward Brown Gap has not been assessed.
Much of the debris as been removed from Green Corner Road where it passes under Interstate 40. Hikers should continue to be extremely cautious in this area and watch out for heavy equipment, especially along roads and around the Interstate 40 overpass. Backpackers, section hikers, and day hikers may want to consider hiking elsewhere until repairs are complete.
Standing Bear Farm Hostel, a popular resupply stop for A.T. hikers, was severely damaged. Call ahead to check on availability of services. Hikers should not plan to resupply in this area for now.
—
06/19/2025
Update: Reports this morning indicate that the A.T. is passable, but likely saw severe damage and erosion in some spots. The A.T. is open in this area, but hikers should exercise extreme caution and watch out for heavy equipment, especially along roads and around the Interstate 40 overpass. Backpackers, section hikers, and day hikers may want to consider hiking elsewhere until repairs are complete.
Standing Bear Farm Hostel, a popular resupply stop for A.T. hikers, was damaged and may be inaccessible. Hikers should not plan to resupply there or anywhere else in this area for now.
Interstate 40 remains closed from the the Hartford Exit 447 to Harmon Den.
We will continue to update this alert as we receive more information.

The A.T. looking northbound at Green Corner Road. Photo by Seong Hopkins.

The A.T. where is passes under Interstate 40 along Green Corner Road. Photo by Seong Hopkins.
—
06/18/2025
A microburst storm has caused severe local flooding and a possible rockslide along Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Reports indicate that the Trail is impassable from approximately Davenport Gap to Brown Gap/Forest Service Road 148A (NOBO mile 239.4 to 251.9). The interstate is also closed in both directions. Hikers should avoid this section.
While the A.T. remains officially open through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is unclear if Davenport Gap is accessible due to damage. Northbound hikers should consider finding an alternative route from Newfound Gap (NOBO mile 208.0).
The A.T. is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap (NOBO miles 166.7 to 239.4).
We will share more information about Trail conditions and access when we receive it.
For more information on the status of Interstate 40, visit the Tennessee Department of Transportation or the North Carolina Department of Transportation website.
Back