Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Acoustic monitoring report for Cades Cove and Cherokee Orchard roadways, 2023
White K and Rapoza A . 2025. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Acoustic monitoring report for Cades Cove and Cherokee Orchard roadways, 2023. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/298. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2312692
The Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) received a request to collect baseline acoustical data on Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) roadways. Two acoustic monitoring stations were deployed during the summer (June/July) and winter (November/December) of 2023. The goal of the study was to conduct an acoustic inventory at these locations and to understand the degree to which vehicle noise in general, and specifically utility terrain vehicle (UTV) noise, may affect wildlife and visitor experience. In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) within GRSM. The park has reported an uptick in complaints from visitors, employees, and park partners regarding their use in popular areas such as Cades Cove and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. As of 2024, GRSM does not regulate the use of these vehicles. Detailed sound source analysis shows road-based vehicles (all types combined) were audible an average of 57–59% of daytime hours during the summer season, while UTVs and motorcycles were audible 33–40% of daytime hours during the summer season. Hourly data show that the UTVs and motorcycles can be audible for 50% of a peak hour during the summer season and 10–20% of a peak hour during the winter season.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- White, Kelsey; Rapoza, Amanda
- Date of Issue
- 2025-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2312692
- Units
- GRSM , NRSS
- Keywords
- acoustic data, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, monitoring, Natural Sounds and night Skies, resource assessment, utility terrain vehicle, vehicle noise