TOWNSEND, Tenn. (WVLT) - The rescue efforts are over for the most part at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

But the clean up is still in full swing at the park and Cades Cove.

This is a big holiday week for the park and for visitors. For some it's their only family vacation.

Many are changing their plans around and finding different things to do while they wait for the park to reopen.

"And it kind of hurts when you have to turn those folks away at the gate," said GSMNP Chief Ranger Clayton Jordan.

Some of the masses who were turned around decided to pull over and jump in other near-by creeks. Folks were fishing, tubing, or just floating along.

"Just finding other places we can do things, like swimming, shopping, visiting antique shops. Things of that nature," said Tim Laxton.

While they swam, the stranded campers from the storm were evacuating the area after debris and trees were cleared off some roads, freeing them to leave.

Jordan says 92 cars left at 4:00, but other campers are choosing to stay up there during the clean-up.

Starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, crews will launch a full-scale effort. 40 workers will be cutting off tree limbs, clearing the roads to try and make sure that Cades Cove can reopen by the afternoon.

"I've never seen the park closed, not once. So it's a little unusual," said Kate Marshall

Marshall drove in from Georgia for the weekend, and has visited Cades Cove for 22 years. She came this time to work on her documentary on the area, but she'll have to come back later to finish.

"But we have to keep an eye on the big picture which is most of the year, we can come and have a good time here," said Marshall.

Chief Ranger Jordan says they hope to have the park back open by 1:00.

If you want to check on the status, there's a number you can call: 865-436-1200.