Scores of nature lovers from two dozen states descended on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee on Saturday as it reopened following coronavirus restrictions.

But officials blasted visitors for ignoring social distancing guidelines on crowded trails, trekking into blocked-off areas, and not wearing masks.

Even with some of the most popular trails closed, parking lots were packed and lines of cars snaked down tree-lined streets, in one case for about a mile leading up to a waterfall path, according to park spokeswoman Dana Soehn.  

'It seemed like people were not respecting our suggestion that they avoid crowded areas,' said Soehn, adding that she counted license plates from 24 different states in one visitor center parking lot. 

Visitors also walked past heavy barricades on one of the park´s most trafficked trails, Laurel Falls, which was closed off to heed federal social distancing guidelines, she said.