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!
Alerts
- ClosureCherokee Orchard Road Closed to Pedestrian Traffic
Cherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles.
- ClosurePark Headquarters Road is closed
Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
- ClosureNPS ↗Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
- InformationNPS ↗Most visitors need a parking tag
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).
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While the parking tag is not an entrance fee, the park honors the Free Entrance Days below and parking tags will not be required on those dates.
Parking: Parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes.
Hours
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Daily · All Day |
When to go
October draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Smokemont Campground | 142 sites | |
| $30 a night · Loops A and B of Smokemont Campground are open year-round. Loop C is open March through the end of October. · 142 reservable | ||
| Cades Cove Campground | 164 sites | |
| $30 a night · Cades Cove Campground is open year-round. Loop B and parts of Loop C are open from mid-spring through Nov. 30. · 164 reservable | ||
| Elkmont Campground | 217 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Nov 29 to Apr 3 | ||
| Cosby Campground | 157 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 15 · 157 reservable | ||
| Abrams Creek Campground | 16 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 8 · 16 reservable | ||
Show all 13 campgroundsHide
| Big Creek Campground | 12 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 15 · 12 reservable | ||
| Cataloochee Campground | 27 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 1 · 27 reservable | ||
| Deep Creek Campground | 92 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 1 · 92 reservable | ||
| Balsam Mountain Campground | 43 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 12 to May 15 · 43 reservable | ||
| Elkmont Group Campground | 4 sites | |
| $53 a night · Closed Oct 31 to May 8 · 4 reservable | ||
| Look Rock Campground | 69 sites | |
| $30 a night · Closed Oct 25 to May 8 | ||
| Cades Cove Group Campground | 4 sites | |
| $35 a night · Closed Nov 27 to Apr 18 · 4 reservable | ||
| Smokemont Group Campground | 3 sites | |
| $50 a night · Closed Nov 1 to May 8 · 3 reservable | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Sugarlands Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
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 with natural history exhibits. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop.
- Cades Cove Visitor CenterPassport stamp
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, and see a gristmill (operates spring through fall), the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures.
- Kuwohi Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
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 small bookstore and shop. Public restrooms are available.
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
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 ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Find public restrooms and drink vending machines.
Explore
Trails and hikes
These are the walks the Park Service lists for Great Smoky Mountains. Each one opens on the Park Service site.
- 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. Swimming in the pool is not recommended due to slippery rocks and a dangerous undertow.
- 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 dog- and bike-friendly trails in the park. This trail includes sections of sidewalks and roadsides as well as graded dirt path.
- 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 Chimney Tops pinnacles.
- 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 (21.9 km) roundtrip.
- 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 opportunities, and backcountry camping.
Show all 12Hide
- 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 wide, well-graded, and regularly used by both hikers and horse riders.
- 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 of a CCC camp and the Kephart Shelter.
- 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 rocks and mixed hardwood forest.
- 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 in the park.
- 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 rewards hikers with mountain views, diverse forest, and a waterfall.
These are named Forest Service trails on National Forest land within 15 miles of Great Smoky Mountains. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured to the nearer end of the trail. Every named Forest Service trail on Trailhead Atlas.
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- Down on the Farm10/1410:00 AM · runs through Oct 30 · freeMountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await10/1411:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeOverlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center
- Life in the Appalachians: Walker Sisters Cabin Hike10/1411:00 AM · runs through Oct 28 · freeLittle Greenbriar Schoolhouse Parking Area
- Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee10/1403:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · freeOconaluftee Visitor Center porch
- Hands on Citizen Science at Sugarlands10/1412:00 PM · runs through Oct 28 · freeSugarlands Visitor Center
- Junior Ranger Ramble at Sugarlands10/1512:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
Show all 10Hide
- Vital Signs of the Smokies10/1512:00 PM · runs through Oct 29 · freeNewfound Gap Overlook.
- Seedy Species in the Smokies10/1601:00 PM · runs through Oct 30 · freeAbrams Falls Trailhead in Cades Cove
- Wildlife Wonders at Sugarlands10/1612:00 PM · runs through Oct 30 · freeSugarlands Visitor Center
- Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee10/1601:00 PM · runs through Oct 30 · freeMountain Farm pig pen
News
- Missing Hiker Sahil Jilani Found Deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park ↗2026-10-12
Missing hiker Sahil Jilani was found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Abrams Falls on Oct. 8.
- Great Smoky Mountains to Close U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road Beginning Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. Due to Strong Winds Associated with Hurricane Isaias ↗2026-10-09
Beginning today, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m., Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road due to expected strong winds associated with Hurricane Isaias and the potential for downed trees and debris.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Reminds Visitors: Approaching Elk is Both Dangerous and Illegal ↗2026-10-07
Great Smoky Mountains National Park warns visitors that approaching elk is dangerous and illegal. With the elk rut (mating season) underway, elk are particularly aggressive.
- Additional Airlifts Planned for LeConte Lodge Recreation Building Demolition Project Oct. 6-9 ↗2026-10-02
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional airlifts from Oct. 6-9 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Clingmans Dome Observation TowerStructure · Bryson City · 2.6 mi
- Alex Cole CabinBuilding · Gatlinburg · 4.6 mi
- John Ownby CabinBuilding · Gatlinburg · 6.5 mi
- First Methodist Church, GatlinburgBuilding · Gatlinburg · 7.6 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Local history books for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthAmerican Black Bear 43× · Coyote 4× · Bobcat 2× · Red Junglefowl 1× · Belted Kingfisher 1× · Barred Owl 1× · Gray Fox 1× · Osprey 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 232 birds, 85 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Barred Owl · Black Vulture · Broad-winged Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Eastern Screech-owl · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Mississippi Kite · Northern Harrier · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Short-eared Owl · Swallow-tailed Kite · Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Bittern · American Black Duck · American Coot · American Wigeon · Black-crowned Night-heron · Blue-winged Teal · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Double-crested Cormorant · Great Blue Heron · Green Heron · Green-winged Teal · Harlequin Duck · Hooded Merganser · Least Bittern · Lesser Scaup · Little Blue Heron · Northern Pintail · Pied-billed Grebe · Red-breasted Merganser · Ring-necked Duck · Ross's Goose · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane · Snow Goose · Virginia Rail · Wood Duck · Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican Woodcock · Bonaparte's Gull · Herring Gull · Killdeer · Least Sandpiper · Red Phalarope · Red-necked Phalarope · Ring-billed Gull · Semipalmated Plover · Short-billed Dowitcher · Solitary Sandpiper · Spotted Sandpiper · Upland Sandpiper · Wilson's Snipe
Gamebirds & dovesMourning Dove · Northern Bobwhite · Rock Dove · Ruffed Grouse · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersDowny Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsChimney Swift · Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird
Also on the checklistAcadian Flycatcher · Alder Flycatcher · American Crow · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Redstart · American Robin · Bank Swallow · Barn Swallow · Bay-breasted Warbler · Belted Kingfisher · Black-and-white Warbler · Black-billed Cuckoo · Black-capped Chickadee · Black-throated Blue Warbler · Black-throated Green Warbler · Blackburnian Warbler · Blackpoll Warbler · Blue Grosbeak · Blue Jay · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Blue-headed Vireo · Blue-winged Warbler · Bobolink · Brewer's Blackbird · Brown Creeper · Brown Thrasher · Brown-headed Cowbird · Brown-headed Nuthatch · Canada Warbler · Canvasback · Cape May Warbler · Carolina Chickadee · Carolina Wren · Cedar Waxwing · Cerulean Warbler · Chestnut-collared Longspur · Chestnut-sided Warbler · Chipping Sparrow · Chuck-will's-widow · Cliff Swallow · Common Grackle · Common Nighthawk · Common Raven · Common Starling · Common Yellowthroat · Connecticut Warbler · Dark-eyed Junco · Dickcissel · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · Eastern Meadowlark · Eastern Phoebe · Eastern Towhee · Eastern Whip-poor-will · Eastern Wood Pewee · Evening Grosbeak · Field Sparrow · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-winged Warbler · Grasshopper Sparrow · Gray Catbird · Great Crested Flycatcher · Grey-cheeked Thrush · Henslow's Sparrow · Hermit Thrush · Hooded Warbler · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · Kentucky Warbler · Lapland Longspur · LeConte's Sparrow · Least Flycatcher · Limpkin · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · Louisiana Waterthrush · Magnolia Warbler · Mallard · Marsh Wren · Mourning Warbler · Nashville Warbler · Northern Cardinal · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Oriole · Northern Parula · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern Waterthrush · Olive-sided Flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Orchard Oriole · Ovenbird · Palm Warbler · Philadelphia Vireo · Pine Siskin · Pine Warbler · Prairie Warbler · Purple Finch · Purple Martin · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-eyed Vireo · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rusty Blackbird · Savannah Sparrow · Scarlet Tanager · Scissor-tailed Flycatcher · Sedge Wren · Snow Bunting · Song Sparrow · Sora · Summer Tanager · Swainson's Thrush · Swainson's Warbler · Swamp Sparrow · Tennessee Warbler · Townsend's Solitaire · Tree Swallow · Tufted Titmouse · Veery · Vesper Sparrow · Warbling Vireo · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · White-eyed Vireo · White-throated Sparrow · White-winged Scoter · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's Warbler · Winter Wren · Wood Thrush · Worm-eating Warbler · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-billed Cuckoo · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-headed Blackbird · Yellow-rumped Warbler · Yellow-throated Vireo · Yellow-throated Warbler
Small mammalsAPPALACHIAN COTTONTAIL · American beaver · BLACK RAT · COTTON MOUSE · Carolina northern flying squirrel · Common Cotton Rat · DEER MOUSE · Deer mice · EASTERN CHIPMUNK · EASTERN COTTONTAIL · EASTERN HARVEST MOUSE · EASTERN MOLE · EASTERN WOODRAT · Eastern Mole · GOLDEN MOUSE · HAIRY-TAILED MOLE · HOUSE MOUSE · LEAST SHREW · LONG-TAILED OR ROCK SHREW · MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE · MEADOW VOLE · MUSKRAT · Marsh Rice Rat · Masked Shrew · Meadow Mice · Mouse-eared Bats · NORWAY RAT · Northern Short-tailed Shrew · PYGMY SHREW · RED SQUIRREL · ROCK VOLE · SOUTHEASTERN SHREW · SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING · SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL · SOUTHERN RED-BACKED VOLE · STAR-NOSED MOLE · Smokey Shrew · WATER SHREW · WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE · WOODLAND JUMPING MOUSE · WOODLAND VOLE · eastern cottontail · eastern fox squirrel · eastern gray squirrel · rock vole · southern red-backed vole
PredatorsBLACK BEAR · BOBCAT · COYOTE · EASTERN SPOTTED SKUNK · LONG-TAILED WEASEL · MINK (OR WEASEL) · NORTHERN RIVER OTTER · RED FOX · RIVER OTTER · STRIPED SKUNK · common gray fox · common raccoon · least weasel · mink
Hoofed mammalsHorse · WHITE-TAILED DEER · elk
BatsBIG BROWN BAT · EASTERN PIPISTRELLE · EVENING BAT · GRAY MYOTIS · HOARY BAT · Indiana Myotis · MISSISSIPPI MYOTIS · RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT · SILVER-HAIRED BAT · Seminole bat · Tricolored bat · eastern red bat · eastern small-footed Myotis · little brown bat · northern Myotis
Also on the checklistDomestic Cat · Humans · Nine-banded armadillo · Pack rats · Virginia opossum · WOODCHUCK · wild hog
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
Does Great Smoky Mountains charge an entrance fee?
No. Great Smoky Mountains is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is Great Smoky Mountains open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Great Smoky Mountains?
Yes. The Park Service lists 13 campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains: Smokemont, Cades Cove, Elkmont, Cosby, and Abrams Creek, and more. 13 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Dump station: Smokemont, Cades Cove, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont Group, Look Rock, Cades Cove Group, and Smokemont Group. Electric hookups: Look Rock.
Source: Campgrounds
When do Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds close for the season?
Elkmont is closed Nov 29 to Apr 3, Cosby is closed Oct 25 to May 15, and Abrams Creek is closed Oct 25 to May 8; 8 more have posted closures.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Great Smoky Mountains right now?
4 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Cherokee Orchard Road Closed to Pedestrian Traffic; Park Headquarters Road is closed; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Great Smoky Mountains?
11,527,939 recreation visits in 2025, number 3 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Great Smoky Mountains?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
When was Great Smoky Mountains established?
1934, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers about 816 square miles.
Source: Wikipedia
What is the weather like at Great Smoky Mountains?
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 elevatio
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
