Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide
Scenic drives, waterfalls, wildlife and the highest peak in Tennessee, right at Gatlinburg’s doorstep.
Park Overview
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina line, and Gatlinburg sits at its main Tennessee entrance. There is no entrance fee, but a parking tag is required for any vehicle parked in the park for more than 15 minutes.
The Sugarlands Visitor Center is just a couple of miles from downtown Gatlinburg, so you can be on a trail or a scenic drive soon after you leave your cabin. Combine it with an afternoon at Anakeesta or a ride up to Ober Mountain.
Find Nearby Cabins
Top Things to Do in the Smokies
The park’s most-loved drives, viewpoints and stops near Gatlinburg.
Cades Cove
An 11-mile, one-way loop road through a wide valley with historic churches and cabins, and frequent sightings of deer, turkeys and black bears. Allow at least two to four hours.
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)
At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the highest point in Tennessee and in the park. A short, steep paved walk leads to an observation tower. Its Cherokee name was restored in 2024.
Newfound Gap
The overlook on Newfound Gap Road (US 441) sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina state line, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
A narrow, winding 5.5-mile one-way drive just outside Gatlinburg past mountain streams, old-growth forest and historic cabins and mills.
Sugarlands Visitor Center
The main Tennessee-side visitor center near the Gatlinburg entrance, with exhibits, maps, a park store and rangers to help plan your day.
Hiking & Waterfalls
Hundreds of miles of trails, from short walks to all-day hikes. Near Gatlinburg, try the short walk to Cataract Falls from Sugarlands Visitor Center. Laurel Falls Trail is closed for rehabilitation until sometime in 2027.
Getting There from Gatlinburg
Approximate distances from downtown Gatlinburg. Allow extra time in summer, in October and on weekends.
| Destination | Distance & Notes |
|---|---|
| Sugarlands Visitor Center | About 2 miles south of downtown on US 441. |
| Newfound Gap | About 15 miles up Newfound Gap Road (US 441) from downtown. |
| Kuwohi | Reached by Kuwohi Road off Newfound Gap Road. The road is open seasonally, roughly April through November, weather permitting. |
| Cades Cove | About 27 miles via Little River Road, typically an hour or more. The loop is closed to cars on Wednesdays, typically May through September. |
| Roaring Fork | Turn off the Parkway at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance. The road closes in winter. |
Best Time to Visit
The Smokies are open year-round, and each season shows the park in a different light.
Spring
Wildflowers carpet the forest floor and waterfalls run strong. Kuwohi Road reopens for the season.
Summer
Long days and cooler air at higher elevations. Start early to find parking at popular trailheads.
Fall
Peak foliage brings big crowds, especially in October. Go on weekdays and arrive early.
Winter
Quiet trails and clear long views. Some high-elevation roads close for the season or for snow and ice.
National Park FAQs
Quick answers from our local Casago team.
Does Great Smoky Mountains National Park charge an entrance fee?
No. Entrance is free, but a parking tag is required for any vehicle parked in the park for more than 15 minutes. Tags are $5 per day, $15 per week or $40 per year.
Where can I buy a parking tag?
Parking tags are sold at park visitor centers, at parking tag machines and online through Recreation.gov. You must display a physical tag in your vehicle; digital copies are not accepted.
How far is the national park from Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg borders the park. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is about 2 miles from downtown, and Cades Cove is about 27 miles away.
What is Kuwohi?
Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome, is the highest point in the park and in Tennessee at 6,643 feet. Its Cherokee name, meaning “mulberry place,” was officially restored in September 2024.
When is Cades Cove closed to cars?
The Cades Cove Loop Road is open sunrise to sunset and is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays, typically May through September, so walkers and cyclists can enjoy it.
Tips for Visiting
Make your trip seamless and memorable with these insider recommendations.
Get Your Parking Tag First
Buy a daily, weekly or annual tag before you go. Each tag covers one vehicle and must show its license plate.
Start Early
Popular trailheads and Cades Cove fill up by mid-morning in summer and fall. An early start from your cabin makes the day easier.
Stay Close By
Book direct with Casago Smoky Mountains for a cabin a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg, without third-party booking fees.