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Details
Distance
1.23 miles
Elevation Gain
338 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Features
Groups
Wildflowers
Family Friendly
Forest
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
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About this place
Added by Spenser Reid
Hike to the top of the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond.
The drive to Clingmans Dome is miles of scenic overlooks that provide endless views of ridges and valleys. Clingmans Dome Road comes to a parking lot from which you follow a .5 mile paved trail to the summit.
There are also several trails that start on Clingmans Dome Road. Most notably The Appalachian Trail, which crosses Clingmans Dome, making it the highest point on the whole trail.
Turn off Newfound Gap Road 0.1 mile south of Newfound Gap and follow the 7-mile-long Clingmans Dome Road to the large parking area at the end.
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Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Liz Scamperino
9/22/2025
Can be lots of cloud cover due to elevation so pay attention to forecast - we got a 10 minute window of sunshine for the pics I did get
Well Maintained
Amazing Views
Great Conditions
Well Marked
Easy To Park
Bathrooms
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Wendy Acker
7/27/2025
Well Maintained
Amazing Views
Great Conditions
Well Marked
Bathrooms
Easy To Park
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Jon Waldorf
9/11/2022
Loved it
I had to do this one more time! I’ve had Leukemia since 2005, heart attack in 2018 with 4 stents, stroke in 2020 which ...
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Kym Baldwin
5/1/2022
Loved the wildflowers
The wildflowers alone make this hike worth it
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Karin Lersch
9/19/2020
A Must!
A short distance but very strenuous. (Feels like a lot longer than .5 mile) Paved all the way with many spots to stop and ...
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Jared Beeler
9/15/2020
Great trail with amazing views!!
This hike is always busy but it is always worth it. A true 360 degree view of the smokies. The sunrises from here are ...
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Natalie F
7/30/2020
Great stop!
A must do if in the area. Nice views and fun hike up!
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Lucas Bremer
Club
7/14/2020
Right of passage
For anyone going to GSMNP, this is the best “summit” experience you will have. A nice hike that gets your blood flowing followed by ...
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Jac Bell
8/16/2019
Very Nice Scene
Views are breath-taking,,,and so is the hike up to it sometimes..but not too bad. My only suggestion is some port-a- potties along the way ...
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Maggie Donohoo
4/9/2019
Overcrowded, but beautiful views of the mountains
Clingmans Dome boasts some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains, however, this is also an extremely crowded and popular trail. I would ...
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Emma Roberson
10/15/2018
Must go on the clearest day
We had no indication that we wouldn’t be able to see anything, the skies were clear on the way up from gatlinburg. The drive ...
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Paul Kestel
8/15/2018
Amazing View for Sunrise
We woke up @3:30am to dive there and view and Photograph the sunrise over the mountains! It was amazing watching the fog dance around ...
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Ashley Grier
8/10/2018
Check visibility before you make the drive!
We literally could not see a thing from the tower due to fog. Wouldn’t call it a hike, just a walk up a steep sidewalk. Lots of people!
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Gustavo Quiros
9/23/2017
Views are awesome
The views are great but because of how easy it is to access you will also see a lot of people
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Clay Steelman
6/21/2017
Great View!
Like some earlier reviews have said, I wouldn't really call this a "hike." The drive to the parking lot is a scenic experience ...
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Sarah Johnson
11/28/2016
Great Trip
Clingman's Dome is awesome! The view at the top is phenomenal and offers a great look over the land. It is a fairly easy ...
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Ally Woodall
10/11/2016
Short & Steep
This isn't much of a hike, more of a paved walk up to the lookout. The walk is steep and definitely gets your heart ...
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Ashlyn Schaub
5/26/2016
The Drive Up
A really cool spot that's worth the visit. However I think the drive up was my favorite part. The views and overlooks throughout the ...
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Johnathan Duncan
3/9/2016
Not much of a hike, but a gorgeous view!
This isn't really hike, but offers some of the most spectacular views of the mountains. It is often crowded and sometimes can be closed ...
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Nathan Szwarc
1/20/2016
Night Photography
The best place for night photography in Tennessee easily and maybe in all of the south east, great adventure!
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Krystn Fuerst
9/25/2015
Amazing sunset
Started my short trip to the Smokys with a quick hike out Andrews Bald (TH at Clingmans) and then up to Clingmans Dome. ...
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