Over 800 miles of trails, ancient forests, and wildlife through one of the most visited national parks in America. Free admission, year-round access.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across the Tennessee-North Carolina border, preserving one of the most biodiverse regions in North America. Named by the Cherokee as "Shaconage," the place of the blue smoke, the park's misty peaks have captivated visitors for generations.
Scenic 5-mile GSMNP hike to Alum Cave
Tough 10.2-mile to highest peak
Popular 2.6-mile paved waterfall trail
5-mile trail to powerful waterfall
Scenic rocky pinnacles with views
Moderate hike to Grotto Falls
Wildlife & scenic 11-mile drive
Access to Clingmans Dome viewpoint
8-mile challenging Appalachian hike
Strenuous 11-mile to fire tower
Scenic 3.6-mile high-elevation hike
Accessible waterfall near Sugarlands
Strenuous 11-mile grassy bald hike
Scenic 12.4-mile river trail
Forest of giants on easy trail
Moderate 4.4-mile to 90-ft waterfall
Old-growth forest with historic features
Moderate 2-mile waterfall hike
Preserved late 1800s mountain homestead
Easy 3.6-mile hike to waterfalls
Gentle 1-mile trail near visitor center
Historic 0.7-mile trail from picnic area
8.5-mile panoramic mountain loop
Easy 4-mile trail to CCC remains
Easy 4.1-mile streamside hike
Easy 6.1-mile forest loop trail
Easy 5.5-mile loop with waterfalls
Historic area loop, family-friendly
Scenic roadside waterfall on Roaring Fork
Mount Sterling Ridge to Palmer Creek
Connects Meigs Creek & Mountain
Old-growth forest hike loop
Trail from Benton MacKaye
Trail from Gap to Divide
Trail from Anthony Creek to Turkeypen
Moderate 5.6-mile ridge trail
Gentle 4.4-mile family trail
From Gregory Bald to Loop
Connects Big Creek to Appalachian Trail
Connects Cabin Flats to Hughes
Hiking trail to Cane Creek
Long trail from Jonas to Forney
Indian Creek connector
Waterfall near Deep Creek
Loop Trail to Martins Gap
Connects Middle Prong to AT
Short trail bypass around road tunnel
Wet Bottom to Abrams Falls
Cataloochee Valley trail hub
Hiking trail connecting Kephart Prong to Appala...
Part of popular Twentymile Loop
Historic road to Hatcher Mountain
Old-growth forest to Albright Grove
Streamside trail from Smokemont
Long trail from Deeplow to Mingus
Trail from Balsam Mountain
Loop trail with Tunnel Bypass
Trail from Tremont to Bote Mountain
Forney Creek to Noland Creek
Moderate 7-mile trail with stream crossings
Sugarland Mountain to Little River
From Mingus Mill to Newton Bald
Trail connecting to Dry Sluice
Connector from Abrams Falls to Rabbit Creek
Connects Cataloochee to Caldwell
Remote trail to Appalachian Trail
Cosby to Maddron Bald
Easy trail from Turkeypen to Lead
Trail to logging camp ruins
Connects High Rocks to Welch Ridge
Trail through historic settlements
Hazel Creek to Appalachian
Short trail to Cooper Road
Trail to Clingmans Dome area
Wildflower-filled route to LeConte
Long trail from Roaring Fork
Noland Divide to Deep Creek
High-elevation trail to Mount LeConte
Viewpoint spur from Cold Springs
Connector to Lakeshore Trail
Trail linking Benton MacKaye & Hyatt
Ridge trail linking High Rocks to Jonas Creek
Ridge connecting Bradley to Enloe
Connects Mount Sterling
Connects Schoolhouse Gap to Finley Cane
Ridge trail to Cataloochee
Loop through ancient giant trees
Trail between Scott and Rich Mtn
Trail connecting Cooper to Hatcher
Scenic forest trail in park
Trail from Twentymile Station to Appalachian Trail
Steep climb to Mount Sterling
Loop combining Twentymile and Wolf Ridge trails
Trail along Fontana Lake
From Pretty Hollow Gap to Cataloochee
Long ridge trail with multiple access points
Little Brier Gap to Little Greenbrier
Panoramic views of Smoky Ridges
Landmark on Alum Cave Trail
Anthony Creek to Appalachian Trail
Lynn Camp Prong to Panther Creek
Cataloochee to Big Fork Ridge
Elkmont to Panther Creek
Historic cabin and spring house
Connects to Thomas Divide
Short connector from Dry Sluice
Connects Hyatt Ridge to Chasteen
Connector to Hazel Creek Trail
Historic Hazel Creek trail
Welch Ridge to Forney Creek
Connects Sunkota Ridge, Indian Creek
High elevation park with scenic views
Scenic overlook at the summit
Panoramic mountain crossing point
Hike behind a beautiful waterfall
Powerful 20-ft waterfall & scenic trail
Main info hub with exhibits and films
Tallest waterfall in park
80-foot waterfall with rainbows
Scenic overlook with historic tunnel
Kids earn badges at GSMNP program
Swim at scenic Spruce Flats Falls
Easy walk through peaceful Sugarland
40-foot waterfall with a 3-mile hike
Scenic overlook with mountain views
90-foot scenic waterfall trail
Park picnic spot with creek access
Views of Chimney Tops formations
Scenic trail for peaceful walks
Scenic hike in Smoky Mountains
Trail access point in GSMNP
Peaceful walkway in Great Smoky Mountains
Scenic drive through Great Smoky Mountains
Popular Trout Fishing Spot
Peaceful forest walk along Blue Ridge
The most popular waterfall hike in the park. Paved 2.6-mile round trip to an 80-foot cascading waterfall.
Iconic 10-mile round trip passing through Arch Rock and the exposed Alum Cave Bluffs.
The main road through the park, climbing from 1,500 to 5,046 feet. Pulloffs and overlooks the entire way.
Challenging 8-mile round trip along the Appalachian Trail to a dramatic rocky outcrop with panoramic views.
oramic views.
One-way loop drive near Gatlinburg through old-growth forest with watnd historic cabins.
141 places to explore in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Upcoming shows, festivals, and seasonal events.
A 5-day non-profit celebration of the Great Smoky Mountains' 1,500+ wildflower species - the most diverse temperate forest in North America. Features ...
When: April 22-25, 2026
One of only a few places on Earth where fireflies synchronize their flashing patterns. Thousands of Photinus carolinus fireflies blink in unison acros...
When: May 28 - June 4, 2026 (Est.) · Evening
Every Wednesday May through September, the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop road is closed to vehicles for bicycling and walking. Free and open to public....
When: Wednesdays, May-Sep · 7 AM-9 AM
In-depth articles, insider tips, and curated guides.
Explore cabins and amenities at Gatlinburg Falls Resort. One of our top resort communities near this area.
Explore cabins and amenities at Chalet Village. One of our top resort communities near this area.
Explore cabins and amenities at Hidden Mountain Resort. One of our top resort communities near this area.
7-bedroom cabin sleeping 30 guests. Arrowhead Resort area.
12-bedroom cabin sleeping 30 guests. Tanrac Village area.
8-bedroom cabin sleeping 23 guests. Gatlinburg Falls area.
5-bedroom cabin sleeping 22 guests. Smith Creek Reserve area.
8-bedroom cabin sleeping 22 guests. Great Smoky Mountains National Park area.
5-bedroom cabin sleeping 20 guests. Sherwood Forest area.
Popular trailheads and Cades Cove fill early. Arrive before 8 AM in summer and fall. The park is piloting a parking tag system at some locations.
Main entrances: Sugarlands (via Gatlinburg), Townsend (western side), and Oconaluftee (North Carolina). No entrance fee.
Fall foliage peaks mid-October. Spring wildflowers peak mid-April. Bears are most active in summer. Never approach wildlife. Carry bear spray on backcountry hikes.
Discover luxury cabin rentals throughout the Smoky Mountains. Easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park attractions, dining, and outdoor adventures.
Browse CabinsNo. The park has no entrance fee. However, a parking tag is required to park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes: $5 per day, $15 per week, or $40 per year.
Driving Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road, hiking to waterfalls like Laurel Falls and Rainbow Falls, the Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) observation tower, wildlife viewing, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Fall (mid-October) is the most popular for color, spring for wildflowers and the firefly event, and winter for solitude. Summer is busiest. Each season offers something different.
Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, and must be leashed. They are only permitted on two short trails (the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail), not on most hiking trails.
The main entrances are at Gatlinburg (Sugarlands), Townsend, and Cherokee, NC (Oconaluftee). Newfound Gap Road connects the Tennessee and North Carolina sides.
