Planning a Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park sprawls over 500,000 acres of Tennessee and North Carolina. Encompassing old growth forests, log cabins, gristmills, and a healthy population of black bears the region is full of opportunities to explore. Learn all about planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with our guide.
Straddling two states, the park offers miles of trails and beautiful scenic drives including the roads to Newfound Gap and Clingman’s Dome. As America’s most visited national park, it is important to plan your activities wisely. Read our Great Smoky Mountains travel guide for tips on where to stay, the weather, and the best time to visit.
WHY ARE THEY CALLED THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
The haze that often veils the Smoky Mountains is a blue-tinted fog. The vapor rises up after being released from plants that cover the floor of the ancient mountain range. Native Cherokee people called it “Shaconage,” or the “place of blue smoke.” The effect is most distinctive on hot, hazy, summer afternoons.
TRY THESE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOURS
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HISTORY
The park covers some 800 square miles of the Appalachian Mountains. In the mid-1920s, Congress established the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Much of the park’s infrastructure was later built by employees of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), during the Great Depression.
The culture and history of Great Smoky National Park has been greatly shaped by the Native American people who once populated the area, the homesteaders who farmed the Appalachian backcountry, and the CCC “boys” who built the park.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS BIODIVERSITY
With mountains ranging from about 850 to 6,643 feet, the Smokies are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The park is home to more than 2500 species of native trees and flowering plants. In addition, there are countless birds, mammals, fish, and amphibians (the park is known as the salamander capital of the world!).
In recognition of the region's biodiversity, the richness of the Southern Appalachian heritage, and the majesty of the mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is designated at an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Opening Hours & Days
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 7 days a week; 365 days a year. Be aware, that during the winter some secondary roads are not maintained, some campgrounds close, and park services have shorter hours.
Entry Fees & Passes
There is no fee to enter Smoky Mountains National Park. (However, there is a fee to park).
Parking Fees
Within Great Smoky Mountains National Park a parking tag is required to park in any space longer than 15 minutes. Fees cost (2024): $5 a day, $15 a week, or $40 for an annual pass. Tags can be purchased online, at visitor centers, and some popular park stops.
Click on this link for information about car rentals in Tennessee.
Parking Tips
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 13 million visitors a year. Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Demand far exceeds the number of needed spaces. The parking areas at popular locations fill up quickly so arrive early and bring your patience.
Vehicles parked outside of approved spaces may be ticketed or towed.
Consider scheduling a shuttle through a private company during peak park attendance.
TOURS & EXCURSIONS IN TENNESSEE
Gas and Service Stations
There are no gas or service stations within the park. Cherokee (NC), Gatlinburg (TN), and Townsend (TN) are nearby towns with gas and service stations.
Road Markers
The park uses a system of numbered posts along the roadway to help motorists and hikers navigate the park.
WHERE TO STAY IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
LeConte Lodge is the only hotel-style accommodations within the park. The lodge is located atop Mount LeConte. It, can only be reached by foot. Open: mid-March thru mid-November.
Gatlinburg is a solid choice for lodging when planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. The town has many hotels and restaurants, and sits next to the park. For those who prioritize music, shows, and shopping, consider Pigeon Forge (about 5 miles from Gatlinburg). If you desire a quieter local, look at Cherokee in North Carolina.
Here is a sampling of well-reviewed hotels near the Great Smoky Mountains:
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS VISITOR CENTERS
There are four visitor centers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At park visitor centers you can pick up a map, talk to a ranger, view educational exhibits, use the restrooms, visit the book store/gift shop, attend a ranger-led program, and more.
The four visitor centers are located at Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS MAP
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS WEATHER
The weather changes frequently in the Smoky Mountains. As a general rule, to is cooler at higher elevations and rains more often. Here are some weather generalities:
Spring: Begins with temperatures averaging in the 40’ F range and ending in the 70’s. Nights are cool and showers are frequent.
Summer: Temperatures hover in the 80’s and 90’s F. It is usually hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunder showers.
Autumn: Begins with temperatures in the 80’s F, and falling to the 60’s. Temperatures in the evening drop. As the foliage peeks there is occasional rain (and snow!).
Winter: Temperatures hover in the 40’s and 50’s F with frequent freezing temperatures at night. It is colder at higher elevations where larger amounts of snow are apt to fall.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
The weather and crowds are two factors to consider when evaluating the best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
Most people visit the park to enjoy the outdoors. Consider that some road and trails are closed during the winter season. As the most visited National park, Smoky Mountains Park can get quite crowded; this is especially true during the summer and fall foliage season.
The best time to visit the park is when all roads and trails are open and crowds are manageable:
Avoid weekends and holidays
Avoid the month of July, August, and peak foliage weeks
Visit early in the day; or later in the afternoon
Check the park’s congestion forecasting calendar to avoid the busiest days
THINGS TO DO IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Auto-Touring – The park has 384 miles of paved and gravel roads. Popular scenic drives include the Cades Cove loop and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Hiking – The park has 848 miles of trails including 74 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some popular trails include the River Trail, Charlie’s Bunion, the Alum Trail, and Laurel Falls.
Camping – There are 10 campgrounds in the park with around 1000 sites. In addition, the park has more than 100 backcountry camp sites.
Picnicking – There are 11 picnic grounds in the park with some 1050 picnic sites.
Wildlife Viewing – The park is home to a dizzying array of animals including black bears, elk, fox, birds of prey, and many other critters.
Clingmans Dome – Visit Kuhowi Mountain (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) one of the highest points in the park where Tennessee meets North Carolina. Climb a lookout tower that offers panoramic views.
Historical Sites – There are five historical areas containing some 97 Appalachian historical structures including churches, gristmills, homesteads. There are also 160 family cemeteries.
Ranger Led Programs – Attend a ranger-led program to learn about the park’s wildlife, birds, eco-system, history, and the stars.
Fishing – The park is loaded with streams, ponds, and waterfalls that support a healthy wild trout habitat. Fishing is permitted year round (with the proper licenses).
Biking – On Wednesdays in the summer the 11 mile Cades Cove scenic loop is closed to motor vehicles and open only to foot and bike traffic.
So long from the Smokies, Laura and Randy
For more information on National Park travel, read our Working Joe Travel blog posts on:
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