About Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National parks can be found across the United States, but the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and straddles Tennessee and North Carolina. Great Smoky is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States, encompassing 816.28 sq mi, officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940.

The park is home to Cades Cove, an isolated valley with a loop route, wildlife, and preservation areas; Mount Le Conte, the third-highest peak; Clingmans Dome, accessible part of the year with a seasonal road, paved trail, and observation tower; Mount Guynot; Rainbow Falls, and Grotto Falls. 

It’s not just a nature park though. Ober Gatlinburg, located in the mountains, has a large mall with an amusement park, an indoor ice-skating rink, bumper cars, restaurants, and snack bars. Outside go down an alpine slide, sit on a chair swing, play a round of mini-golf, and take the chairlift to the top of Mount Harrison. Go down the mountain for your next adventure at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Inside, outside, fresh air, and water, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-see!

Must See

  • Campgrounds
  • Picnic Areas
  • Historic Grist Mills

How to reach

There is no public transportation to the national park from major cities in the area. However commercial businesses operating in the smaller communities surrounding the national park offer transportation from cities such as Knoxville, TN, and Asheville, NC to the park

By  Mass Transport System:

Smoky Mountains National Park is part of the Gatlinburg Mass Transport System. The trip costs 1$

Tips

  • Do not throw garbage in and around the area
  • Wear comfortable shoes that will enable you to walk freely
  • Kindly do not pluck flowers from the plants here
  • Do not scare the birds or squirrels that visit
  • Outside food is allowed
  • Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times
  • Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in all streams
  • Guided horseback rides are available at four concession horseback riding stables in the park from mid-March through late November

Visit Time

Sunday:            Open 24 hours

Monday:           Open 24 hours

Tuesday:          Open 24 hours

Wednesday:     Open 24 hours

Thursday:         Open 24 hours

Friday:              Open 24 hours

Saturday:          Open 24 hours

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

1 to 2 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Clear Sky 0.56°C

 

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