The Best Things to See at the Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, straddle the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Established in 1934, the park spans over 522,000 acres and is a sanctuary for a diverse array of plants, birds, and fish. The park’s name derives from the blue mist that arises from moisture and organic compounds released by the dense vegetation. With over 12 million visitors each year, let’s delve into the reasons why the Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited National Park.

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Learn tips and tricks about hiking with kids, 5 Easy Tips to Survive Hiking with Kids

5 Reasons to Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

1. Hiking is a favored pastime in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Boasting 800 miles of trails, the park offers routes for hikers of all abilities. To match the scenery you wish to explore with your hiking proficiency, choose a trail that aligns with your experience level. For instance, if you’re interested in a kid-friendly hike with waterfalls, the Deep Creek Trail is an excellent choice.

2. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse array of animals in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

With 65 mammal species, including an estimated 1,500 American Black Bears, the park is full of wildlife. Spotting these animals can be challenging, though. The dense forests and the nocturnal habits of many animals mean that early mornings or late evenings are typically the best times for wildlife sightings.

3. Scenic drives are another option to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park.

One of the most popular is the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. At only 5.5 miles, it is a relatively short drive with many things to see. Other scenic drives include the Gatlinburg Bypass Road, Upper Tremont Road, Newfound Gap Road, and Foothills Parkway. Similar to Yellowstone National Park, each drive has many opportunities to pull off the road and enjoy the scenery.

4. Clingmans Dome stands as the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi River.

On a clear day, the view can stretch over 100 miles and encompass seven states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). To access the observation tower, visitors must undertake a steep half-mile walk on a paved path. The incline of the path prohibits wheelchair access. Visitors should note that due to the popularity of this attraction, securing a parking spot can be difficult. Additionally, the road to the tower is seasonally closed from December through late March.

5. LeConte Lodge, perched atop Mt. LeConte, is the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States and offers a distinctive adventure for those seeking it.

Accessible solely by hiking, the lodge is a retreat for hikers with no road access. Guests can choose from five trails, varying from five to over nine miles, to reach this exclusive overnight destination. Accommodations include hand-built log cabins equipped with propane heat and kerosene lanterns, complemented by family-style meals served in the communal dining room.

When is the Best Time to Visit

The optimal time to visit the Smoky Mountain National Park spans from June to November. In the summer, temperatures can reach the low 90s, with a possible 20-degree variation based on elevation. Tourism surges in these months, peaking in July. Consequently, visitors should anticipate higher lodging costs and increased traffic along popular routes.

Autumn is a favored season, with its 70-degree daytime temperatures and crisp evenings ideal for hiking and biking. Come October, the fall foliage bursts into its most vivid hues, drawing more tourists. Consequently, weekends in October become busier, and prices tend to rise.

We toured the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in late December. It was a sunny day, with temperatures in the low 60s—ideal for hiking. The park was sparsely populated, which made finding parking easy. However, the drawback of visiting in this season is that several major attractions and roads are closed. For the best weather, minimal crowds, lower costs, and full access to all attractions, September is the best time to visit the park.

Visitor Centers

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center, situated near Cherokee in North Carolina, serves as the gateway to the southern district of the park. It offers a range of exhibits on cultural history for exploration.

The Sugarlands Visitor Center, situated near Gatlinburg in the park’s northern area, offers natural history exhibits where you can discover the diverse flora and fauna of the park. Most visitors arrive through the Sugarlands park entrance.

The Cades Cove Visitor Center, situated midway along the Cades Cove Loop Road, is among the most frequented sites within the National Park. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the Southern Mountain life and culture and explore a variety of historical structures.

Clingmans Dome sits at the trailhead leading to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. At this location, visitors can access a bookstore and gift shop, along with public restrooms, before they begin their ascent to the observation tower.

Tips for Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains

Purchase a parking pass

Unlike most parks, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. There is no fee for driving the scenic routes within the park. However, if you intend to park for more than 15 minutes, you must display a parking pass on your dashboard, face up on the front lower passenger side. Parking passes are $5 for a day or $15 for a week. You can purchase them online, at Visitor Centers, or at Automated Fee Machines. Remember to print and display your pass on your dashboard if you’re buying it online.

Leave your pets at home

Dogs are permitted in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but not on trails, with the exception of two short pet-friendly paths: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Dogs are banned from other trails for various reasons, including the risk of introducing diseases to park wildlife, the potential for chasing wildlife, the disruption of the wilderness’s tranquility by barking, and the danger of pets becoming prey to larger predators. This regulation is standard in most National Parks, with a few exceptions like Acadia National Park that allow pets.

Spend the night in the park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a variety of camping options, including backcountry, frontcountry, group campgrounds, and horse camps. There are ten campgrounds scattered across the park, with two open all year. Although 44 RV sites are provided, the campgrounds do not offer hookups or shower facilities. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance and must be obtained before visiting the park. If you plan to camp in the backcountry, be sure to secure all necessary permits beforehand.

Hike the Appalachian Trail

Also known as the A.T., over 71 miles of the notorious 2,147-mile trail winds through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It typically takes hiking aficionados about seven days to cover this stretch of the A.T. The journey can be shortened by using the Newfound Gap or Clingmans Dome as a mid-point, which takes about three to four days. For those who prefer a brief experience but still want to claim they’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail, you can follow our lead: walk a mile on the trail, then turn back.

FAQ: Great Smoky Mountains

Shared Border: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, with nearly half of the park situated in each state. Visitors often cross the state line several times during their visit and may even find themselves standing in both states simultaneously.

Most Visited National Park: Attracting over 12 million visitors annually, this National Park ranks as the country’s most visited. In fact, it receives twice as many visitors as the second most frequented National Park, the Grand Canyon. Spanning more than 520,000 acres, expect both the park and the surrounding towns to be bustling with tourists.

Best Hiking Trails:

• Laurel Falls features a 2.6-mile round-trip trail that is paved and leads to a picturesque waterfall.
• The Rainbow Falls Trail offers a moderate challenge. Spanning 5.4 miles for a round trip, it guides hikers to the park’s highest single-drop waterfall.
• Charles Bunion offers a classic 8-mile round-trip hike featuring breathtaking views, particularly striking in the fall as the foliage turns vibrant colors.
• Chimney Tops is a 4-mile round-trip challenging climb with rewarding panoramic views.
• The Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte offers a strenuous 11-mile round-trip hike. Along the way, hikers are treated to stunning geological formations and views as they ascend the steep path to Mount LeConte’s peak.

Nearby Towns and Attractions

Pigeon Forge, nestled in the mountainous region of eastern Tennessee, lies just beyond the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Comparable to Branson, Missouri, or Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, it serves as a family-oriented vacation hub. As the location of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, it offers a wide array of attractions, including amusement parks, waterparks, museums, dinner shows, ziplining, and river rafting, catering to a diverse range of interests. There is truly something for everyone in Pigeon Forge.

Gatlinburg, situated near Pigeon Forge and just outside the park entrance, caters to more adult-oriented attractions. The town boasts several wineries and distilleries, such as Ole Smoky Moonshine, the first federally licensed moonshine distillery in the state. Additionally, Gatlinburg features the SkyPark and SkyBridge, which is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.

The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains draw more than 12 million visitors annually, and it’s easy to see why. With its breathtaking views, extensive hiking trails, and rich wildlife, the park is a compelling destination. Coupled with the attractions of nearby towns, it becomes the ideal vacation spot. The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee promises to offer an adventure of a lifetime.