Clingmans Dome

Bryson City, North Carolina

4.4/5

based on 19 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.23 miles

Elevation Gain

338 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

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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Clingmans Dome Reviews

Clay Steelman

Clingmans Dome

06/21/17

Like some earlier reviews have said, I wouldn't really call this a "hike." The drive to the parking lot is a scenic experience in and of itself. The walk from the parking lot to the observation deck / tower is somewhat steep at some points but paved the entire way. The view from the tower is amazing and well worth it!

5.0

Sarah Johnson

Clingmans Dome

11/28/16

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 hike but is pretty steep all the way up.

5.0

Ally Woodall

Clingmans Dome

10/11/16

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 rate up, but the views from the top are more than worth it!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Andrews Bald

The trail begins at the Clingmans Dome parking lot, just to the left of the paved walkway up to Clingmans Dome. You will start the hike at an elevation of 6130 feet which is only 334 feet less than Clingmans Dome which is the highest point in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. You will began the trail left of the Clingmans dome walkway ...

Clingmans Dome Loop

The first day of the hike is either 12.3 miles or 10.5 miles (depending on the campsite) almost all downhill, and the second half of the loop is 13.3 miles or 11.5 miles, again depending on the campsite, almost exclusively uphill. Just as a reference the first day took us about 6 and a half hours including 45 minutes of breaks and the second day took about 7 and a half hours with 2 hours of bre...

Forney Creek Loop

This is an overnight loop hike that is built around one night in the back country. It can be done as an ambitious day hike. Be advised that permits are required by the NPS for all overnight stays in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The hike begins at the Clingman's Dome parking lot at the Forney Ridge Trailhead. Before you begin you have the option of taking a short concrete footpath to Cl...

Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop

Myrtle Point via Alum Cave

This hike can be started at the Alum Cave trailhead or the Boulevard Trailhead. For this particular adventure, the starting point is Alum Cave. If you're lucky enough to stay the night at the backcountry shelter on top of Mt. LeConte, (add 0.2 miles if coming from the Lodge), head east on the Boulevard Trail and follow signs to Myrtle Point, 1 mile away. The trail first ascends about 200 feet t...

Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive approximately 13 miles south on Newfound Gap Road to reach the Newfound Gap Parking Area (it'll be on your left). The parking area is free and there are bathrooms. Follow the Appalachian Trail towards Katahdin, Maine (1972 miles away, woah!) At this point, there will not be a sign for Charlies Bunion, don't worry, it's up there! The tr...

Clingmans Dome

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Clingmans Dome Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Andrews Bald

Clingmans Dome Loop

Forney Creek Loop

Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop

Myrtle Point via Alum Cave

Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

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