Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
Junior Ranger booklets at every visitor center. Top trails by age — filtered by our hand-checked minimum age, shade and restrooms:
Leashed dogs are welcome on 2 of our mapped trails. Where they can't go, we map the nearest boarding and 24/7 vets.
Synchronous fireflies viewing · early-May application for the June event (~22,000 apply)
Official details →Parking tag required · $5/day, $15/week, $40/year (year-round)
Official details →Coverage is spotty to nonexistent across most of the park — download maps before you go.
Gatlinburg — fuel before Newfound Gap Road
Parson Branch Road is closed due to high water & downed tree. Updated 7/29/2026
More →The park will conduct single-lane closures on the Gatlinburg Spur from July 27-30 to complete essential maintenance. Northbound lane closures are scheduled from July 27 through July 28, and southbound lane closures...
More →Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday through September 30. This allows pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the cove without the presence of vehicles on the roadway.
More →Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
More →
WEBCAMS
4 cameras working now
Great Smoky Mountains National Park air quality camera · live view
See the park right now →
The sweet spot for Great Smoky Mountains National Park is June & October — right now: peak summer crowds in america's most-visited park.
7 trails
| Trail | Length | Gain | Dog | Kids | Stroller | Shade | Restrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg Trail | 3.8 mi | 130 ft | Yes | 4+ | Yes | 70% | Yes |
| Oconaluftee River Trail | 3 mi | 60 ft | Yes | 3+ | Yes | 75% | Yes |
| Laurel Falls | 2.4 mi | 314 ft | No | 5+ | No | 65% | Yes |
| Clingmans Dome | 1 mi | 332 ft | No | 6+ | No | 40% | Yes |
| Andrews Bald | 3.6 mi | 900 ft | No | 7+ | No | 70% | No |
| Alum Cave Trail | 4.6 mi | 1125 ft | No | 9+ | No | 60% | No |
| Chimney Tops | 3.3 mi | 1400 ft | No | 10+ | No | 55% | No |
Which side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park actually saves you drive time — with live rates, not "top-10 from nowhere".
Wake up inside the gate — first light at the trailhead, no morning commute.
Check availability →Rooms minutes from the entrance with pools, breakfast and parking.
Check rates →PARTNER LINKS · RATES SHOWN ON THE PARTNER SITE
Where to fly in, as the National Park Service lists them.
TYSMcGhee-Tyson Airportapproximately 45 miles west of the Gatlinburg entrance
Asheville Regional Airportapproximately 60 miles east of the Cherokee entrance
A car is essential at most parks — book early for summer and holiday weekends.
Compare cars →Where lots fill by 8 AM and which shuttle skips the stress — see "Know before you go" above.
Boat, wildlife and scenic tours matched to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
See tours →Vets, urgent care and groceries around Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the block you hope you never need.
Get a heads-up before timed-entry and lottery windows open — plus new guides for the parks you care about.
FREE · NO SPAM · UNSUBSCRIBE IN ONE TAP