Great Smoky Mountains National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Reserve that straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Because of its substantial size, its location within a few hundred miles of several large cities, its year-round accessibility, and of course its general appeal to a wide variety of people, it consistently ranks as the most-visited national park in the United States of America, with 9-10 million visits per year. In 2021, it had 14.1 million visitors.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established on June 15, 1934 after a long process of land purchases starting in with Congress' authorization in 1926. More than $11 million was required to make all of the purchases. The main benefactor, who came to rescue during the Great Depression, was the Rockefeller family which donated $5 million. This great deed was honored by the erection of a memorial at Newfound Gap. The park was dedicated on September 2, 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The park is almost 95% forested, with 25% of that being old-growth. Almost 100 different types of native trees can be found in the park in addition to over 1,400 flowering plant species and 4,000 non-flowering plants.

The wildlife is abundant as well, featuring hundreds of different bird species, 66 mammal types, 50 types of native fish, as well as numerous reptiles and amphibians.

Several non-native species, both plant and animal, now call the park home and often threaten the native species.

Elevations in the park range from 800 feet (250 m) to 6,643 feet (2,025 m): the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can easily vary 10-20 °F (5-10 °C) from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations. Rainfall averages 55 inches (140 cm) per year in the lowlands to 85 inches (215 cm) per year at Clingmans Dome.

Extreme weather changes are likely in this park. Be prepared for sudden temperature changes in any season of the year, including summer.

March through May: Spring brings with it unpredictable weather. Changes occur rapidly - sunny skies can yield to snow flurries in a few hours. March is the month with the most radical changes; snow can fall at any time during the month, particularly in the higher elevations. Temperatures in the lower elevations have a mean high of 61 °F (16 °C). Low temperatures, which are often below freezing, have a mean of 42 °F (6 °C). By mid-April the weather is usually milder. Daytime temperatures often reach the 70s and occasionally the 80s Fahrenheit (20s Celsius). Below freezing temperatures at night are uncommon in the lower elevations but still occur higher up. April averages over four inches of rain, usually in the form of afternoon showers. May is warmer, with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s (20s Celsius) and lows in the 40s and 50s (5–15 °C). May rainfall averages about 4.5 inches (11 cm).

June through August: Summer in the Smokies means heat, haze, and humidity. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common. Temperatures increase through the period with July and August afternoon highs in the 90s (30s Celsius) in the lower elevations. Evening lows are usually comfortable with readings in the 60s and 70s (15–25 °C). In the higher elevations, the weather is much more pleasant. On Mount Le Conte (6,593 feet/2,010 meters elevation), no temperature above 80 °F (27 °C) has ever been recorded.

September through mid-November: Clear skies and cooler weather signal the onset of the fall color season. Warm days alternate with cool nights. Daytime highs are usually in the 70s and 80s (20s Celsius) during September, falling to the 50s and 60s (10s Celsius) in early November. The first frosts often occur in late September. By November, the lows are usually near freezing. This is the driest period of the year with only occasional rain showers. In the higher elevations, snow is a possibility by November.

Mid-November through February: Winter in the Smokies is generally moderate, but extremes in weather do occur, especially with an increase in elevation. It is not unusual to have warm temperatures in the low elevations and snow in the higher areas. About half the days in the winter have high temperatures of 50 °F (10 °C) or more. Highs occasionally even reach the 70s (20s Celsius). Most nights have lows at or below freezing. But lows of −20 °F (−29 °C) are possible at high elevations. In the low elevations, snows of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more occur 1-5 times a year. Snow falls more frequently in the higher mountains and up to two feet (60 cm) can fall during a storm. January and February are the months when one is most likely to find snow in the mountains.

• Park website

The park has several visitor centers inside the park and some in the surrounding areas. These centers offer various ranger-led programs, facilities, services, and exhibits. Visitors can get information to help plan their visit to the park and get answers to their questions from park rangers. There are two main ones:

• 35.5849-83.84311 Cades Cove Visitor Center (Located halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road.). Indoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture, including a grist mill which operates spring through fall, the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures. Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.5574-83.4962 Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station (Located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, seven miles from Newfound Gap Road.). Park information. Bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.513-83.30613 Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Located on Newfound Gap Road (US-441) two miles north of Cherokee, NC). Cultural history exhibits. Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. Soda and water vending machines. The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.6856-83.53664 Sugarlands Visitor Center (Located on Newfound Gap Road (US-441) two miles south of Gatlinburg, TN.). Free 20-minute film about the park. Natural history exhibits. Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. Soda and water vending machines. Backcountry Permit Office. (updated Jun 2020)

Access to the park is restricted to non-commercial vehicles.

Planes will get you to Asheville (60 miles east) or Knoxville (45 miles west).

The closest train station is in Clemson, South Carolina, a two-hour drive from the park entrance near Bryson City.

Travelling by car is the best method to visit the park. The most popular entrance into the park is from the north through Gatlinburg, Tennessee. You can also enter from the south on the North Carolina side of the park, through Cherokee, Maggie Valley, or Bryson City.

There are no entrance fees charged for entering this park thanks to restrictions imposed when the park was established. However, parking tags are now required for all vehicles parked inside of the park for more than 15 minutes. These tags can be purchased at kiosks inside of the park. Daily and weekly tags can also be purchased at recreation.gov to be printed out. Additionally, annual passes can be purchased and shipped to you through Smokies Life.

Fees as of 2024 are:

- $5 Daily Pass

- $15 Weekly Pass

- $40 Annual pass

Take your car or backpack. Yes, you can walk through the park on the Appalachian Trail.

Motorists should be aware that some roads close for several months out of the year due to snow and ice. Buses and large motorhomes are prohibited on some roads in the park. There are also temporary road closures due to weather and construction.

Refer to the park's website for all up to date conditions.

• Mountain Peaks
  • Mount Le Conte
  • Clingmans Dome
  • Charlies Bunion
  • Mount Sterling
  • Mount Guyot
  • Max Patch Mountain
  • Chimney Tops
  • Andrews Bald
  • Mount Cammerer
  • Gregory Bald
• Waterfalls
  • Abrams Falls
  • Laurel Falls
  • Grotto Falls
  • Rainbow Falls
• See the Elkmont Historic District, a ghost town. Founded in 1908 by the Little River Lumber Company as a logging village, the town of Elkmont later became a resort with a hotel. When Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created, cottage owners in Elkmont were permitted to lease their properties back. This ended in 1992: the government refused to renew the leases and the properties were abandoned. The former hotel structure collapsed in 2005, but some other buildings are still standing and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Only a campground is still in operation on Elkmont Road today.

The park has many miles of hiking trails. There are occasional ranger-guided tours.

• The Appalachian Trail crosses the park.
• Clingmans Dome (6643 feet, 2025 m) is the highest point in the park, the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest point east of the Mississippi River. From the Sugarlands Visitors Center, go south 13 miles on Newfound Gap Road, to the also stunning Morton Overlook, and west 7 miles to the parking lot. Hike the fairly steep paved path 0.5 mile to a concrete overlook. There are many dead trees at the top, victims of bug disease over past decades. Visibility at the top has been greatly reduced over past decades due to pollution.
• Laurel Falls is the easiest waterfall hike, 2.5 miles round trip. The trail is paved and accessible even to strollers.

• A drive around Cades Cove, an historic farming valley, is very popular due to the frequency of wildlife. However, due to congestion and "deer jams," the effective speed on this 11-mile (17-km) one-way loop is very slow — allow a few hours.
• US Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) runs north to south through the park connecting Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. The road has steep grades and some tunnels as it winds through the mountains. There are many pull offs offering different views of the park, including the road to Clingmans Dome. Traffic on this road can be heavy during the park's busy seasons. The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River can be accessed from many of the pull offs on the Tennessee side of the highway, and the Oconaluftee River from the North Carolina side.
  • Morton Overlook. En route to Clingmans dome, or if you're just going from one end of the park to the other on Newfound Gap Road, this great overlook, close to a mile above sea level, offers great views, plus a sign displaying the Tennessee-North Carolina state border, and the Appalachian Trail crosses here. Morton Overlook is among the best venues in the Smokies for sunset viewing. 
• 35.491-83.941 Tail of The Dragon (Deals Gap, North Carolina pass) (At the west border of the park). A road popular with sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts, famous for its 318 curves in 11 mi (18 km).  

• You are allowed to fish in the park. Please make sure to check the regulations so you know what you are and aren't allowed to do.

The visitor centers offer books and souvenirs pertaining to the park. The Cable Mill store, in Cades Cove, offers the same, and grains ground in the on-site, water-powered, historic cable mill. The main focus of the park is nature, not commerce, so don't expect huge selections of goods.

Autotouring is a nice way to see the park; however, gas is not sold in the park. There are gas stations in the surrounding cities.

Camp stores are expensive and have limited selection. There might be a restaurant or two, but lines are long and prices high. Since the nearby tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Cherokee are very tourist oriented, they offer a variety of restaurants to suit any taste. Your best bet is to visit a grocery store and buy ready-to eat or picnic style food. Many places in the park offer great locations to pull off the road and have a meal in nature. There are also many designated picnic areas in the park, including Collins Creek and Chimney Tops along Highway 441 and Greenbrier and Cades Cove along Laurel Creek Road. Make sure to dispose of your trash and not to litter the park.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the possession of opened containers, is banned in the park except in housing, lodging facilities, designated picnic areas, campgrounds, or as allowed by special permit.

Do not drink the water in streams without first boiling it; this water may contain diseases transmitted by the fecal material of animals.

• Le Conte Lodge, ☏ +1 865 429-5704. The only place to stay within the park is on top of Mount Le Conte, one of the park's highest mountains. It is only accessible by hiking at least 5 miles (8 km) over one of 5 trails and reservations are often required more than a year in advance. No electricity is available, however there are flush toilets. Due to the elevation daytime temperature are below 80°F even during summer. Rates include meals. As an interesting aside, all of the lodge's supplies are brought up by either llama trains or by helicopter on Wednesdays and Fridays. $110/person, $600/8-person cabin, $800/12-person cabin. 

If you insist on being within a short walk from your car, that'll set you back between $12 and $20 a night. There are 10 "car camping" campgrounds in the park.

These campgrounds have restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets. There are no showers or RV hookups in the park. Each campsite has a picnic table and "grill." No more than six people to a campsite with a maximum of two tents or one RV and one tent. You are limited to a seven day stay during the Summer and Fall, and fourteen days during Spring and Winter. Pets are allowed if they are properly restrained.

Bears and other wildlife frequent camp areas. Do not leave any food, or items associated with food, out unattended. Store it in a closed vehicle, not your tent.

• 35.6116-83.9331 Abrams Creek Campground. (Mar-Oct) 16 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. At 1,125 ft, Abrams Creek provides a warm climate, characterized and hot, humid summers with moderate rainfall. Abrams Creek Campground offers campsites for tents as well as small RVs. $14 Camping Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.5654-83.17432 Balsam Mt. Campground. (May-Oct) 46 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. At 5,300 feet, Balsam Mtn. provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild summer temperatures with heavy rainfall. Balsam Mtn. Campground offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with campsites for tents as well as RVs. $14 Camping Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.7502-83.11143 Big Creek Campground. (Mar-Oct) 12 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. At 1,700 feet, Big Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Big Creek Campground offers campsites for tents only. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $14 Camping Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.6027-83.77634 Cades Cove Campground, ☏ +1-800-365-2267. (Year-round) 159 sites, 4 group sites. Cades Cove combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. A camp store provides visitors with basic necessities as well as bike rentals. Events like interpretive programs in the nearby amphitheater and bicycle-only days on the loop road provide visitors with a fun and unique experience. This is a very popular site for overnight and day trips. $17 Camping Fee, non-reservation, $20 Camping Fee, reservation (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.6313-83.08545 Cataloochee Campground. (Mar-Oct) 27 sites, 3 group sites. At 2,600 feet, Cataloochee provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Cataloochee Campground offers campsites for tents as well as RVs. Reservations are required. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $20 Camping Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.7536-83.20936 Cosby Campground. (Mar-Oct) 157 sites. 26 sites can be reserved in advance, 131 sites are first-come, first-served. At 2,450 feet, Cosby provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Cosby Campground offers campsites for tents as well as RVs. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $14 Campsite Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.4608-83.43657 Deep Creek Campground. (Apr-Oct) 92 sites, 3 group sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. At 1,800 feet, Deep Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Deep Creek Campground offers campsites for tents as well as RVs. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $17 Camping Fee (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.6597-83.58648 Elkmont Campground, ☏ +1-800-365-2267. (Mar-Nov) 220 sites, 4 group sites. At 2,150 feet, Elkmont provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Elkmont Campground offers campsites for tents as well as RVs. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $17 Campsite off-season rate, $20 Campsite, $23 Riverside Campsites (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

• 35.5559-83.31149 Smokemont Campground, ☏ +1-800-365-2267. (Year-round) 142 sites, 3 group sites. Whether blanketed in spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Smokemont never disappoints. At 2,200 feet, Smokemont provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Smokemont Campground offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with campsites for tents as well as RVs. Reservations available May 15-Oct 31. Group sites (minimum 8 people) available. $17 Camping Fee, non-reservation season, $20 Camping Fee, reservation season (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

Your best bet is to camp in the backcountry, but a permit (available at most ranger stations and visitor centers) is required. Campers must stay in a park shelter or a designated camp site. The shelters, as well as a number of tent areas, require reservations (865-436-1231).

The towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville offer lodging close to the park's northern border in Tennessee along highway 73. Cherokee and Bryson City offer ample accommodations on the North Carolina side of the park. Lodging can usually be found with more ease and for lower rates in the North Carolina towns, as there is less human traffic.

• Bears The park is home to more than 1,000 black bears. Bears should not be approached. If the bear's behavior changes, you are too close. Remember you are guests in their home and behave accordingly. Visitors to the park can get more information about the park's bears in any of the park's Visitor Centers.
• Snakes: 23 types of snakes make their home in the park's lands, but only two varieties are venomous: Timber Rattlesnakes and Copperheads. Rattlesnakes are part of the pit-viper family and sport a distinctive rattle at the end of their bodies that makes a buzzing sound when the snake is agitated. The Copperheads account for most of the snake bites in the area, however their venom is the least toxic, but this does not mean you should underestimate it. Neither snake is aggressive and if you stay away from places where they tend to sun, you should be able to avoid them altogether.
• Waterfalls Do not climb on the falls. Fatalities have occurred as a result of people climbing on the falls.
• Hypothermia Be cautious when in the park's streams. Even during the hotter months of the summer, many of the higher elevation streams can induce hypothermia with extended exposure.

It is a good idea to have some first-aid knowledge if you wander far into the back country, especially off trail. Be sure to get a permit, so they'll know where to look for you if you do not show. And as always, beware of snowstorms.

• Visit the Cherokee Nation at the eastern entrance to the park.
• Visit the tourist town of Cherokee.
• Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville or to Mount Mitchell (6684 feet, 2038 m), the highest peak in the eastern United States.

• Visit the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
• The cities of Knoxville, and further away, Chattanooga.

Knoxville ← Gatlinburg ←

N  S

→ Cherokee → Athens

.