GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
“The foreground of such a landscape, in summer, is warm, soft, dreamy, caressing, habitable…
…beyond it are gentle and luring solitudes the remote ranges are inexpressibly lonesome, isolated, and mysterious; but everywhere the green forest mantle bespeaks a vital present; no-where does cold, bare granite stand as the sepulchre of an immemorial past.”
— HORACE KEPHART (Our Southern Highlanders)
Welcome to the Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planning Guide
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a mystical place that embraces the historic charm and beauty of a landscape that means so much to so many. Explore antique cabins, stunning forests, sparkling waterfalls, and of course, those famous Smoky Mountains.
Whether you are a casual traveler or an avid outdoorsman, you can find adventures among the tree-covered peaks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s your turn to experience this humbling place — it’s your turn to discover its magic.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Tennessee and North Carolina
What It’s Famous For: Old growth forests, misty peaks, and historic homesteads.
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 6,300 feet above sea level (Clingmans Dome Parking Lot)
Established: June 15, 1934 — this is national park #21
Size: 522,419 acres
Crowd Levels: Extremely high, with around 14 million visitors each year — this is the busiest national park in the country!
COMMON GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where are the Smokies, and how do I get there?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.
I suggest flying into Knoxville. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is Great Smoky Mountains open year-round?
The Great Smokies are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend in the Great Smokies?
You’ll want at least three days in the Smokies, but if you have four, you’ll get to see a lot more!
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
If you’re just getting started with your Great Smoky Mountains trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: May
- Travel during the summer: June
- See wildlife: May or October
- Go backpacking: July or August
- Save money: November
- Have a unique adventure: June or December
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect in the Smokies — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO IN THE GREAT SMOKIES
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Clingmans Dome
- Grotto Falls
- Mingus Mill
- Newfound Gap Road
- Appalachian Trail
- Laurel Falls
- Elkmont Historic District
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Alum Cave Trail
- Cades Cove
- Spruce Flat Falls
- Mountain Farm Museum
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot in Great Smoky Mountains in extreme detail. You’ll learn about the essential things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do In the Smokies:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Hayrides
- Evening programs
- Historical demonstrations
IN WINTER
- Hiking
- Tubing or skiing
- Holiday lights
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Historic areas
- Biking
- Scenic drives
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Sugarlands Nature Valley Trail
- Scenic drives
- Mingus Mill
This massive list of things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains will cover any adventure you need for your group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, it also includes high adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do with kids, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best hikes in the Smokies.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around Great Smoky Mountains.
Smokies Secret Hike
If you want to make your trip to the Smokies extra special, hike this “secret” trail to an area most people just pass right by!
Instructions for finding this secret hike are included in the Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary.
Bear Safety 101
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bear country, so be sure to read up on best practices in case you encounter a bear!
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to the Great Smoky Mountains, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the park — no more research needed!
LODGING IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Great Smoky Mountains area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in and near the Great Smokies and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You will need to drive to all viewpoints and trailhead parking areas with your own car — this park doesn’t run a shuttle.
Be advised that traffic jams are common in the Great Smoky Mountains, and parking lots are almost always filled to capacity! If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can get parking without having to circle parking lots, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a fairly RV-friendly national park, though there are some things you’ll want to be aware of.
The main roads that travel through the park (Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, and Cades Cove) are ok for RVs, but you will encounter many curves and elevation changes as you travel through the mountains. Parking in these areas is extremely challenging, though, so you may not be able to stop at all of the points of interest.
The secondary roads through the Smokies tend to be much less RV-friendly, but most are still open to RVs if you want to brave the narrow roads and tight curves. The most notable road that is completely off-limits to RVs is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Mammoth Cave National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Disclosure: This Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash