When the Great Smoky Mountains were officially recognized as a national park in 1940, they quickly became the top outdoor destination in the eastern United States. Spanning over 522,000 acres of pristine wilderness across North Carolina and Tennessee, the park boasts a spectacular variety of wildlife, hundreds of miles of trails, and some of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River.
As part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, the park offers endless scenic views, making it one of the most treasured sites in America’s national park system. Its awe-inspiring beauty has attracted over 12 million people each year, more than twice the annual visitors to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Yosemite. Despite the high number of visitors, there are plenty of spots to find peace and quiet. Whether you’re keen on an invigorating hike, camping in a secluded area, or enjoying a scenic drive, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has something for you. Here’s what you should know before you visit.
As you might expect from a place like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Visitors love spotting wildlife, capturing photos of the mountain landscapes, exploring historical buildings, or just enjoying the sights and sounds of the Smokies. The wildflower-covered meadows make picture-perfect picnic spots, while the park’s scenic roads offer outstanding, albeit challenging, cycling routes.
Other favorites include fishing for trout and bass, horseback riding on many trails, and camping at designated sites. If you’re planning to pitch a tent or park your RV, the park has several options available.
However, the most popular activity by far is hiking and backpacking. With over 850 miles of trails, visitors can spend weeks exploring without retracing their steps. Some trails run high along mountain ridges, offering mesmerizing views, while others wind through open meadows, dense forests, and past spectacular waterfalls. Whether short and easy or long and tough, each trail offers a unique and rewarding experience.
Some of the top trails include the 2.7-mile trek to Rainbow Falls, which is both challenging and rewarding with views of a dramatic 80-foot waterfall. The 4-mile Chimney Tops Trail starts steep but ends with some of the park’s best views. Meanwhile, the Alum Cave Trail meanders through a hardwood forest, passing underneath a stunning stone arch on its way to a lofty peak.
Backpackers will be thrilled to find a 72-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail running through the park. This section is among the most popular of the Appalachian Trail’s entire 2,193-mile stretch from Maine to Georgia. Planning an extended hike with backcountry camping is a great way to experience the park, but make sure you secure the necessary permits and bring bear spray.
For those who prefer to explore by car, the park has much to offer. Scenic drives have been a part of its charm from the start, and popular routes include the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Newfound Gap Road, among others. During the busy summer months, these roads can get crowded, so plan for extra travel time and savor the stunning views around every corner.
Unlike some other national parks, the Great Smoky Mountains has few accommodations within its borders. Most visitors stay in the many towns and cities just outside the park, where a range of options is available.
One exception is the LeConte Lodge, which offers a unique experience for a select group of adventurous visitors. Accessible only by foot, the lodge on Mount Le Conte requires a 5 to 8-mile hike to reach, depending on the chosen trail. Here, you’ll find rustic cabins, a gift shop, a dining hall, and other amenities. Advanced reservations are needed, but travelers will enjoy a truly memorable stay.
Camping is another popular way to spend the night inside the park. You’ll find backcountry campsites accessible only by hiking, front-country sites near parking areas, and group sites for larger gatherings. There are also horse-friendly campsites with space for vehicles and trailers. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.
For the greatest solitude, choose backcountry sites, though they offer limited amenities and take some effort to reach. In contrast, front-country campgrounds have restrooms with flush toilets, running water, fire grates, and picnic tables, but lack showers and electrical outlets.
Deep Creek, known for its stunning views, and Balsam Mountain, quieter and more remote, are two favorite campsites. For those seeking to be closer to park activities, Elkmont Campground is accessible and open year-round, though often busy.
There are three park entrances, with the main one in Gatlinburg, TN. To get there, take I-40 to Exit 407 and head south on TN-60, then continue to US-441, which leads directly into the park. Alternate entries are in Townsend, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, both well signposted and generally less congested than Gatlinburg. During peak times, these alternate routes may save valuable time.
The National Park Service has made significant efforts to ensure the park is accessible to all visitors. Parking lots have designated spots to meet special needs, and visitor centers are built with accessibility in mind, including restrooms, drinking fountains, doors, shops, and special events like talks and presentations.
Some campgrounds have accessible units available for reservation at recreation.gov. Ranger-led outings planned for wheelchair users add to the offerings, while the Cades Cove amphitheater is especially accommodating.
Since the park is very car-friendly, it’s a fantastic destination for visitors with specific accessibility requirements. While the rugged hiking trails can’t all be adjusted for accessibility, the stunning scenery can be appreciated from the road, making it a great choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
