Est. 1934 | North Carolina & Tennessee | 522,426 acres

Great Smoky Mountains

Unparalleled wildlife, well-preserved southern culture, and miles of rugged mountain trails line Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the southern end of the beautiful Appalachian Mountain range. Greet a black bear in Cades Cove, walk the river in Big Creek, reenact history in Cataloochee, or survey it all high atop the Clingmans Dome observatory. With over 500,000 acres of wilderness, a slice of Appalachian solitude and serenity can still be found amidst America’s most visited national park.

Bisected by the state line, the park evenly spans both Tennessee and North Carolina. There is much to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains and much of it hinges on navigating more than 300 miles of roadway and 850 miles of hiking trails. Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441) is the only road within the park to cross states from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. And the famed Appalachian Trail spends 70 of its nearly 2,200 miles along the spine of the park following the state boundary.

The park is basically portioned out by landmarks. Cades Cove, a wildlife hotspot, lies in the west. Sugarlands in the north holds renowned hiking trails up famous mountains. Cataloochee on the eastern edge holds historic significance in ancient Native American land and European settlements. Oconaluftee in the south is known for its excellent rivers and recreational activities. And smack-dab in the middle of Great Smoky Mountains National park high above it all is Clingmans Dome, the tallest point in the park.

Must-see highlights in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cades Cove—Cades Cove is a scenic valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park known for its abundant wildlife, historic homesteads, and an 11-mile loop road offering picturesque views. Once home to a thriving Appalachian community, it now serves as one of the park’s most popular destinations for hiking, biking, and exploring pioneer-era buildings. Some of the best wildlife sightings occur in Cades Cove, making this a top destination and often crowded area during peak seasons. Expect long lines and busy trails during spring, summer, and fall months.

Alum Cave Trail—Located near Sugarlands Visitor Center off Newfound Gap Road, Alum Cave Trail is a moderately-strenuous hiking route, stretching 5 miles round-trip to Alum Cave Bluffs or 10.2 miles round-trip to the summit of Mount Le Conte. The trail features diverse scenery including peaceful creeks, old-growth forests, arching geological formations, and sweeping mountain views, making it one of the most scenic and therefore popular hikes in the park. Keep an eye out for salamanders along the trailside creek beds.

Midnight Hole—A local secret, Midnight Hole is a small swimming hole tucked away in lush rhododendrons and mountain laurel about 1.5 miles along Big Creek Trail in the eastern portion of the park. An 8-foot waterfall cascades into the pool from boulders big enough to jump from.

Newfound Gap Overlook—Newfound Gap Overlook is a scenic and historically significant stop at the top of Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441). Situated at an elevation of 5,046 feet, it serves as the easiest drivable pass across the park, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. It is here President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park on September 2, 1940, and it is here the iconic views of mist rising in the valleys contribute to the legends of the Smoky Mountains.

Best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Generally speaking, spring and fall are the best times to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These times have pleasant temperatures, excellent foliage, fewer bugs and smaller crowds. Summer tends to be muggy and hot and winter can be barren and cold. However, each season has its perks.

Spring (March to May): March holds on to the last vestiges of winter with unpredictable storms that can bring snow without a moment’s notice. However, by mid-April, temperatures stabilize and warm up to no hotter than 80ºF as summer approaches, releasing a spectacle of wildflowers in lower elevations. Afternoon showers are common as rain continues to blanket the land averaging 4.5 inches in May alone. Tornadoes can occasionally threaten the park in spring and summer as weather systems collide.
Summer (June to August): Summertime heat and humidity yields haze that give the Smoky Mountains their name. July and August temperatures at lower elevations rise into the 90sºF, while higher elevations rarely breach 80ºF. Afternoon thunderstorms.
Fall (September to October): Fall is a prime time to visit the park, making it one of the busiest seasons. October is the most crowded month as fall color is in full swing and pleasant temperatures return. Night frost usually begins in late September. By November, daytime temperatures drop to 50sºF and 60sºF with snow at higher elevations.
Winter (November to February): The Great Smoky Mountains usually experience mild winters. Highs hover in the 50sºF and sometimes soar into the 70sºF. Though nights can dip below 0ºF. Snow is most prevalent in January and February at higher elevations, accumulating up to 2 feet in a single storm.

How long should I visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Great Smoky Mountains is an enormous park with over 850 miles of trails. Visiting it all in a single trip is not possible, so it is important to prioritize expectations. To adequately experience the park, 2–3 days is a minimum. Consider spending a day in Cades Cove and a day along Newfound Gap Road to visit the highlights. If afforded an extra day or two, venture into Cataloochee for remote wilderness or Oconaluftee to experience excellent recreational rivers.

Getting to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is consistently the most-visited park year after year because one third of all U.S. citizens live within a day’s drive. The park lies at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Interstate 75, just south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Though many small roadways penetrate the borders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are 3 main entrances: one from the south in Cherokee, North Carolina and two from the north in Townsend and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina, are the two closest major cities, both located along I-40.

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) on the outskirts of Knoxville is the closest airport to the park, only 45 miles away from the Townsend entrance. But Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in North Carolina is 60 miles from the the southern Cherokee entrance a convenient alternative. Other major airports in Nashville (Tennessee), Atlanta (Georgia) and Charlotte (North Carolina) offer competitive pricing and are each within 180 miles from the park.

Where to stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Lodging—LeConte Lodge is the only lodging available within park boundaries. And interestingly enough, it is only accessible by foot. Situated high atop Mount LeConte, at 6,593 feet of elevation, hikers must travel 5–9 miles (depending on the route) to reach this remote hotel destination. Advance reservations are needed to stay overnight at LeConte Lodge and there is usually a waitlist.

LeConte Lodge—60 rooms (3 lodges and 7 cabins), hikers only, open March–November

Campgrounds—Where lodging is sparse, camping is not. The park hosts 10 developed frontcountry campgrounds, two of which (Cades Cove and Smokemont Campgrounds) are open year-round. All other campgrounds open seasonally.

West District
- Cades Cove Campground—161 sites (RV and tent), open March–November
- Look Rock Campground—68 sites (RV and tent), open April–October
- Abram’s Creek Campground—16 sites (RV and tent), open April–October
North District
- Elkmont Campground—211 sites (RV and tent), open March–November
East District
- Cosby Campground—157 sites (RV and tent), open March–November
- Big Creek Campground—12 sites (tent only), open April–October
- Cataloochee Campground—27 sites (RV and tent), open April–October
South District
- Smokemont Campground—142 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
- Deep Creek Campground—92 sites (RV and tent), open April–October
- Balsam Mountain Campground—43 sites (RV and tent), open April–October

When should I book?

Campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can book up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Reservations are required for all frontcountry campgrounds, and it’s highly recommended to book as early as possible. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Due to high demand, especially during holidays, summer weekends and fall (especially October), popular campgrounds like Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont often fill up within minutes of reservation availability. However, if unable to secure a reservation, consider booking lesser-known campgrounds or visiting during off-peak seasons when demand is lower.

LeConte Lodge is extremely popular and reservations must be made in advance, starting October 1 for the following March–November season. However, cancellations do occur and a waitlist is used to fill available rooms more than 30 days out. Any rooms cancelled within 30 days are posted on X.com and given to the first inquiry. It is rare to book a 3 or more-night stay from a cancellation.

How much should I budget?

A 3 day trip to Great Smoky Mountains booked 6 months in advance can cost roughly $750–$1,000 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Knoxville	$150–$300
Car Rental	$85–$100/day (not including taxes/fees)
LeConte Lodge bed	$190/adult per night (not including taxes/fees)
Campgrounds	$30–$36/night
Meals	$20–$30/meal
Parking Tag Fee	$5/day, $15/week, $40/year

Packing list for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without bug spray, hiking shoes, water shoes and a rain jacket.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Great Smoky Mountains.

For more detailed information on Mammoth Cave National Park, visit the official park website.