11 Places

Summit Hikes & Overlooks

Reach the top and take in views that stretch for miles. Summit trails in the Smokies lead to some of the highest points in the Eastern US.

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail

Tough 10.2-mile to highest peak

placeAlum Cave Trailhead, Great Smoky Mountains NP

scheduleSunrise to Sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Lumber Ridge Trail

Connects Meigs Creek & Mountain

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Greenbrier Ridge Trail

Connects Middle Prong to AT

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Maddron Bald Trail

Old-growth forest to Albright Grove

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Forney Ridge Trail

Trail to Clingmans Dome area

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Grapeyard Ridge Trail

Long trail from Roaring Fork

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Hughes Ridge Trail

Ridge connecting Bradley to Enloe

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Turkeypen Ridge Trail

Connects Schoolhouse Gap to Finley Cane

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Hemphill Bald Trail

Ridge trail to Cataloochee

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Crooked Arm Ridge Trail

Trail between Scott and Rich Mtn

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Great Smoky Mountains NP

Newton Bald Trail

Connects to Thomas Divide

placeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

scheduleSunrise to sunset

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Plan Your Visit

What to Know

Best Seasons

Late spring through fall for the high peaks. The summits are cold, windy, and often socked in cloud even when town is sunny. Gregory Bald peaks for its famous flame azaleas in mid to late June. Snow closes the high routes in winter.

What to Bring

Layers for real cold at the top no matter the season, a wind shell, gloves in spring and fall, three liters of water, food, and a headlamp. Conditions at the summit can be thirty degrees cooler than the trailhead.

Who Is This For

Choosing Your Summit

For the Easiest Big View

Clingmans Dome gives you the highest point in the park for the least effort, a short steep paved walk to the observation tower. On a clear day it is the widest view you can get without a hard climb.

For the Classic Summit Experience

Mount LeConte by way of Alum Cave is the iconic Smokies summit hike. It is strenuous and earns its reputation, with the historic LeConte Lodge waiting at the top for those who plan ahead.

For Open Balds and Wildflowers

Andrews Bald and Gregory Bald trade forest for open grassy summits with sweeping views. Gregory in particular is famous for its June flame azaleas, worth timing a trip around.

Insider Knowledge

Tips and Getting There

Insider Tips

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park and the shortest summit, a steep paved half mile from the parking area to the observation tower.
Time Gregory Bald for mid to late June to catch the flame azaleas, one of the great wildflower shows in the eastern mountains.
Mount LeConte has no road to the top. You earn it on foot, and the lodge there books up a year ahead, so plan early if you want to stay over.

Getting There and Parking

The summit trailheads are reached from Newfound Gap Road, the Clingmans Dome spur, and the Cades Cove area. A parking tag is required for stops over fifteen minutes. The high lots fill early and the Clingmans Dome road closes in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest point in the park?

Clingmans Dome, also known by its Cherokee name Kuwohi, is the highest point in the Smokies. A short steep paved trail leads to an observation tower with a panoramic view.

Can you drive to the top of Mount LeConte?

No. There is no road to LeConte. You reach the summit and the lodge only on foot, by way of Alum Cave or one of the other long trails.

When do the balds bloom?

Gregory Bald is famous for flame azaleas in mid to late June. Andrews Bald greens up through summer. Both offer open summit views the rest of the warm season.

How cold is it at the summits?

Much colder than town, often twenty to thirty degrees cooler with strong wind and frequent cloud. Pack layers and a wind shell even on a warm summer day.

Do I need a parking pass?

Yes. A paid parking tag is required for stops over fifteen minutes. There is no entrance fee. The Clingmans Dome road is closed in winter.

Are these good for beginners?

Clingmans Dome is short enough for most fit walkers. The foot trails to LeConte and the balds are long and strenuous and suit experienced hikers.

Vantage Stays · Smoky Mountain Guide