About Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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!
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: North Carolina, Tennessee. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Primary roads are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, weather permitting. This includes Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road. Secondary roads are closed seasonally.
Activities
Current Alerts
The park will conduct single-lane closures on the Gatlinburg Spur near Huskey Grove bridge from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. September 21-30. The park plans to start single-lane closures on the southbound lanes and then shift to the northbound lanes. The single-lane closure will affect the tunnel in the northbound lane. Work is scheduled to conclude for the day at noon on Sept. 25 and will not occur over the weekend.
Abrams Falls Trail is closed Mondays-Thursdays through September 30 to replace aging footlog bridges and improve visitor safety. The trail will open to hikers Fridays-Sundays and on Labor Day during construction.
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.
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).
Getting There
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Things To Do
Hike to Abrams Falls
Walk 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip through rhododendron, hemlock, and pine-oak forest to a 25-foot (7.6-m) waterfall and scenic pool.…
Hike the Gatlinburg Trail
Enjoy a riverside stroll approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through a cove hardwood forest along one of the only…
Hike to Chimney Tops Overlook
Hike 3.5 miles (5.6 km) roundtrip on this popular but challenging trail to enjoy views of surrounding mountains and the…
Hike to Mount Le Conte on Bullhead Trail
One of five routes to Mount Le Conte, the Bullhead Trail offers consistent views. The strenuous hike is 13.6 miles…
Hike Smokemont Nature Trail
Hike 0.62-mile (1 km) roundtrip on Smokemont Nature Trail which provides a peaceful escape and views of the surrounding peaks.
Hike Bradley Fork Trail
The Bradley Fork Trail offers a scenic and diverse outdoor experience, featuring picturesque creeks, seasonal wildflowers, fishing access, horseback riding…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Hike to Chasteen Creek Cascade
Hike 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip through hardwood forest following the path of mountain streams to a peaceful cascade. This trail is…
Hike Kephart Prong Trail to Historic CCC Camp
Follow the flow of mountain streams 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through hardwood forest and across several log footbridges to the remains…
Hike West Prong Trail
Hike 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip on West Prong Trail
Hike to Twentymile Cascade
Hike 1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip along a wide gravel roadbed that follows a mountain stream to a cascade surrounded by moss-covered…
Hike to Ramsey Cascades
Hike 8 miles (12.9 km) roundtrip on this popular but relatively challenging trail through cove hardwood forest to see the tallest waterfall…
Hike to Mount Le Conte on Trillium Gap Trail
One of five routes to Mount Le Conte, Trillium Gap Trail to Mount Le Conte is 13 miles (20.9 km) roundtrip and…
Hike to Grotto Falls
Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip on Trillium Gap Trail as it crosses multiple streams and sections of old-growth forest to reach…
Hike the Oconaluftee River Trail
Enjoy a riverside stroll approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip on one of the only pet- and bike-friendly trails in the park.…
Hike the Finley Cane, Bote Mountain, Lead Cove Loop
Hike 6.9 miles (11.1 km) on this looped route that links three shorter trail sections, offering a chance to experience the biodiversity…
Walk Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail
Wander through a cove hardwood forest with streamside views, rock walls, and historic stone chimneys on this half-mile (0.8 km) loop along…
Hike to Laurel Falls
Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip through a mixed hardwood forest to an 80-foot (24-m) waterfall. Enjoy a few views of the…
Hike Little River Trail
Once a railroad bed, the Little River Trail now offers a peaceful hike through the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National…
Showing 18 of 45 NPS Things to Do records available for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Visitor Centers
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Near Cherokee, North Carolina, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is an ideal starting point as you enter the park's South District. Explore cultural history exhibits. Enjoy…
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Near Gatlinburg, TN, Sugarlands Visitor Center is an excellent starting point as you enter the park's North District. Learn about the park's plants and animals…
Kuwohi Visitor Center
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is the tallest peak in the Smokies. Enjoy sweeping views of the Smokies—weather permitting—and get your park questions answered. Peruse a…
Cades Cove Visitor Center
Roughly half-way through the Cades Cove Loop Road, pause to speak with park staff and visit various exhibits. Learn about Southern Mountain life and culture,…
Campgrounds
Smokemont Campground
Smokemont Campground—open year-round—is the closest family campground to Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the South District of the park. At 2,198 feet (670 m), winters are…
Cades Cove Campground
Cades Cove Campground—open year-round—combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. With an elevation of 1,807 feet…
Elkmont Campground
Elkmont Campground is the closest family campground to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. At 2,150 feet (655 m), winters are…
Cosby Campground
Cosby Campground is tucked in the mountains under a canopy of shade. With an elevation of 2,459 feet (750 m), Cosby provides a moderate climate,…
Abrams Creek Campground
Abrams Creek Campground is located beside beautiful Abrams Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,125 feet (343 m), the climate…
Big Creek Campground
Big Creek Campground is located beside the beautiful Big Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,700 feet (518 m), the…
Cataloochee Campground
Cataloochee Campground is located in the historic Cataloochee Valley surrounded by mountain ranges and pristine streams. With an elevation of 2,610 feet (796 m), it…
Deep Creek Campground
Deep Creek Campground is located next to one of the park's most popular creeks. With an elevation of 1,800 feet (549 m), the climate is…
Balsam Mountain Campground
Balsam Mountain Campground is surrounded by mountain ranges and streams. With an elevation of 5,310 feet (1,618 m), summer daytime temperatures rarely exceed 70°F (~21°C)…
Elkmont Group Campground
These sites offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.
Look Rock Campground
Look Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Foothills Parkway West between Walland, Tennessee and Chilhowee Lake. With an elevation of 2,600 feet (792 m),…
Cades Cove Group Campground
Cades Cove combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. A camp store provides visitors with basic…
Smokemont Group Campground
Smokemont Group Campground—open May 9–October 31, 2025—is the closest family campground to Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the South District of the park. At 2,198 feet…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.