Getty Images/iStockphoto
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Get back to nature among mist-shrouded peaks, shimmering waterfalls and lush forests in the great American wilderness.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In Appalachian parlance, a cove means a valley, but Cades Cove is far more than that. One of the most popular destinations in the Tennessee section of…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mt LeConte (6593ft) is the park’s third-highest peak and one of its most familiar sights, visible from practically every viewpoint. The only way to get to…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
To get bread on the table, early residents of Cades Cove first had to mill their grains and corn. Above all other staples, corn was the most important…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
‘On top of Old Smoky’ is Clingmans Dome (elevation 6643ft), the park’s highest peak. At the summit, a steep, half-mile paved trail leads to an observation…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One of the park's most picturesque 19th-century buildings, the Mingus Mill is a turbine-powered mill that still grinds wheat and corn much as it has since…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, this excellent collection of historic buildings evokes life on a typical farmstead of the late 19th century…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Built in the early 1940s to provide power for America's industrial needs during WWII, Fontana is the tallest dam east of the Rockies. At 2365ft wide, it's…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This 8-mile-long road is permanently closed to motorized traffic, though it's open to mountain bikers and walkers, who can enjoy some serene forest views…
- placement: fullWidth
- path: destinations/top
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "destination": "Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park", "region": "Americas", "continent": "North-America", "country": "The-USA" }
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
From hiking to kayaking, here are the very best activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Read articleThings to Know
From packing tips to what needs to be booked in advance, here's everything you need to know before going to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Read articleTransportation
Our top tips for navigating the two main gateways to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Read articleDay Trips
Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
Child-friendly hikes, firefly-filled adventures and a quirky gateway town awaits on this family break.
Read articleBest Road Trips
With charming towns and amazing scenery, here are the best road trips to and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Filter by interest:
Activities11 of the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkJan 23, 2024 • 7 min read
Family TravelGreat Smoky Mountains National Park with kids: everything you need to know before you goMar 24, 2023 • 6 min read
Destination Practicalities12 things to know before going to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkMar 18, 2023 • 6 min read
National ParksYou now need to pay to park at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here's how to get a tagMar 6, 2023 • 2 min read
Destination PracticalitiesThe best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for foliage, fog and moreJan 28, 2023 • 4 min read
- placement: fullWidth
- path: destinations/bottom
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "destination": "Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park", "region": "Americas", "continent": "North-America", "country": "The-USA" }