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  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

    Summary Established in 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of both Tennessee and North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. With stunning views of mountain ridgelines, waterfalls, and wildlife, there's a reason why this is annually one of the top visited national parks. The park spans 522,427 acres spread almost evenly across the two states. There are 10 campgrounds containing approximately 1,000 campsites, plus an additional 100 backcountry campsites. The park also contains 850 miles of trails. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 1 of 423 national parks in the US and 1 of 12 in Tennessee. Key Details When to go: Peak seasons run from mid-June through mid-August. Expect the park to be more crowded during this time of year. If you plan to visit in the winter, note that some roads and campgrounds may close due to heavy snowfall. The Fall is a beautiful time to visit as the leaves begin to change colors. Permits that you might need Check out the special use permits and free backcountry permits here: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm. But, entry to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free! Top adventures to check out: Ramsey Cascades (tallest waterfall in the park), Chimney Tops, Clingmans Dome Camping Cades Cove Campground - Popular campground surrounded by brilliant wildflowers, wildlife, and historic structures Cosby Campground - Features many shaded and secluded sites, great fishing opportunities Elkmont Campground - Largest campground in the park, ideal for group camping trips LeConte Lodge - Highest lodge in the Eastern United States, accessible only by hiking, cabin with bunk bed arrangement Key Contact Information Recorded information: (865) 436-1200 Road Updates: (865) 436-1200 Pet Info Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and are only permitted on the Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River Trails. There are certain designated campgrounds and picnic areas that do allow pets, but make sure you check before making plans.

    Top Spots in and near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Hike the Chimney Tops

      4.9
      4.03 mi / 1487 ft gain
      The Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most visited trails in the Smokies, which is why I recommend going up just before sunset to beat the crowd! During the summer and fall months, it's common to see a hundred people taking in the views on the same trail, but if you scramble on out after hours, y...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop

      5.0
      16.84 mi / 4429 ft gain
      Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cherokee, North Carolina.
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Hike to Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff

      5.0
      10.68 mi / 3982 ft gain
      The Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently wind...
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    • 35.629385,-83.450994

      Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave

      5.0
      9.96 mi
      At the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge sits at a elevation of 6400 feet. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. It is the highest lodge in the eastern United States.   Accessible only by hiking one of the five trails to the summit,...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Quilliam Cave via Courthouse Rock Trail

      2.85 mi / 1404 ft gain
      Quilliam Cave via Courthouse Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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    • 35.610235,-83.426410

      Myrtle Point via Alum Cave

      5.0
      15.43 mi / 3100 ft gain
      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 Bou...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

      5.0
      4.32 mi / 1640 ft gain
      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...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Hike to the Jump-Off

      4.3
      6.2 mi / 1079 ft gain
      This trail starts at the Newfound Gap parking lot. Newfound Gap is situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. The views from Newfound Gap overlook North Carolina and are worth the trip in their own right. The restroom facilities are clean and have flushing toilets. Follow the crowds ...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Catch a Sunrise at Newfound Gap

      5.0
      Newfound Gap is a mountain pass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Newfound Gap is accessible via U.S. Route 441 from Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC. You can watch the sunrise from the parking lot at Newfound Gap or the viewing platform adjacent to the parking lot.At sunrise, layers of pink ...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Hike to Clingman’s Dome via Newfound Gap

      4.5
      16.6 mi / 1600 ft gain
      This route to Clingmans Dome is available throughout the year. But during the winter months from December 1 through March 31, the 7-mile Clingman’s Dome Road that branches off Highway 441 at Newfound Gap, stays closed. This means the usual drive to the parking area located just a half mile below ...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Mount LeConte Lodge via the Boulevard Trail

      15.95 mi / 3000 ft gain
      Begin your adventure by arriving at the Newfound Gap parking lot - before first light. Why? Because you won't want to miss the incredible sunrise from the parking lot - even before you step foot on the trail! It is said that a hiker will never get overly warm hiking the Boulevard to Leconte due ...
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    • U.S. 441, Tennessee

      Photograph the Smokies from Morton Overlook

      4.3
      The Morton Overlook is one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks most well known and visited overlooks. Morton offers a wide view of the Great Smoky Mountains and is a perfect spot for some really good photography opportunities. Coming from Gatlinburg, TN it is roughly 13 miles from the vis...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Clingmans Dome

      4.4
      1.23 mi
      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 Appal...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Andrews Bald

      5.0
      3.55 mi / 1200 ft gain
      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...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Clingmans Dome Loop

      25.75 mi / 4000 ft gain
      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...
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    • 35.556724,-83.495827

      Forney Creek Loop

      4.5
      19.04 mi / 3500 ft gain
      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 For...
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    Camping and Lodging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion
    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion

    Spence Cabin
    Little River Trail

    Spence Cabin

    Appalachian Clubhouse
    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Appalachian Clubhouse

    Elkmont Campground
    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Elkmont Campground

    Elkmont Group Camp
    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Elkmont Group Camp

    Greenbrier Picnic Pavilion
    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Greenbrier Picnic Pavilion

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    6 Inspiring Photos from the Smoky Mountains

    6 Inspiring Photos from the Smoky Mountains

    Nick Spicer

    Indulge in Adventure at this Base Camp Near the Great Smoky Mountains

    Indulge in Adventure at this Base Camp Near the Great Smoky Mountains

    The Outbound Collective

    20 Must-Do Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    20 Must-Do Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    The Outbound Collective

    The Smokies Are Still Alive!

    The Smokies Are Still Alive!

    Merritt McKinney

    The 5 Best Fall Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

    The 5 Best Fall Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

    Christian Murillo