Snow has roads closed at Great Smoky Mountains

Snow closes roads at Great Smoky Mountains park where up to 18 inches fell

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) -- Road crews are working to get snow-covered roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open as the spring tourism season is set to begin.

Park spokeswoman Dana Soehn says the higher elevations of the Smokies have received more than 18 inches of snow this week.

On Wednesday, U.S. 441 was closed between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. The Clingmans Dome Road was scheduled to open Friday, but isn't likely to be passable before early next week.

The park is the nation's most visited national park.