Clingmans Dome, elevation 6,643 feet, is the highest point in both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the state of Tennessee. That makes it a popular destination for park visitors, and although the area itself is open year round, the road leading to it is closed each year from December 1 through March 31—and at other times when weather conditions require.

That closure will likely last through May next year, to allow work to be completed on several projects. In addition to improvements to the road and parking areas, the park is replacing the CCC-era comfort station with newer facilities that will be more efficient as well as accessible for those with disabilities. The work does not involve the popular observation tower at Clingmans Dome. According to a park spokesman,

The existing comfort station was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps over 60 years ago. Since that time, visitation to Clingmans Dome has steadily increased and requirements for managing and treating waste effluent have become more stringent. The Park has been pumping and hauling waste for the past two seasons while exploring options for a long term solution in consultation with the State of North Carolina and the US Public Health Service.

Beginning December 2nd, three sets of vault toilets will be installed at the west end of the parking area and are designed to accommodate all visitors, including those with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The switch to this type of facility was necessitated by the existing wastewater treatment system being outdated, over capacity, and not having a suitable location for reconstructions and expansion.

The existing comfort station is a historic structure, so it's not going away. The park, in consultation with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, has developed a plan to adaptively reuse the building as a seasonal visitor contact station and Great Smoky Mountains Association sales outlet.

“We are excited that we have been able to develop an alternative use for this fine building that will allow us to expand our ability to serve the large number of visitors that make their way to Clingmans Dome each April through November,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.

“In addition to being able to educate the public on key park issues such as air quality and forest health at the one location where they are most evident, we will also be able to provide access to a select number of high quality educational publications and products provided by our cooperating association partner.”

Although the regularly scheduled winter closure will allow most of this work to be completed without any change in the normal visitor access to the area, paving work on the road and parking area will require the road to remain closed until about the end of May 2010. As the description of Clingmans Dome on the park website notes, the area often experiences "clouds, precipitation, and cold temperatures"—not very congenial conditions for paving work, especially during the winter months.

You'll find updates on the status of temporary closures at Clingmans Dome and elsewhere in the park at this link.