Tennessee · North Carolina · the United States

Great Smoky Mountains

The country's most visited national park, with forests, pioneer cabins and autumn colors, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee culture at the southern entrance.

South (Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee)

In the photo: Mountains of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains. Created in 1934 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, it is the most visited national park in the United States. The name comes from the bluish mist that often covers the mountains, formed by the moisture of the forests, which are among the most species-rich in the country.

Newfound Gap Road crosses the park between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way are overlooks, trails, waterfalls, and the turnoff for Kuwohi, the highest point in the park. To the west, the Cades Cove valley preserves cabins, churches, and mills of early settlers.

Gatlinburg is the northern gateway, with the Sugarlands visitor center just minutes away. Nearby, Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, and a water park. Cherokee, at the southern entrance, lies within the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, with a museum and cultural center.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Great Smoky Mountains is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Great Smoky Mountains

✈ McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), in Alcoa · 65 km to Gatlinburg

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), near Knoxville, is about 65 km from Gatlinburg. From the south, Asheville Airport (AVL) is about 95 km from Cherokee. There is no public transportation inside the park. Entry requirements to the United States depend on nationality: confirm the requirements before traveling.

Suggested arrival point: Gatlinburg

Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains Suggested arrival point

Gatlinburg

Mountain town at the north entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the Little Pigeon River valley. The main avenue, the Parkway, has shops, restaurants and aerial trams. A few minutes away is the Sugarlands visitor center, from where Newfound Gap Road heads toward Kuwohi, and the road to Cades Cove valley departs. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail starts in the town center.

Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains

Pigeon Forge

A town about 10 km from Gatlinburg, on the road to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for amusement parks and shows. The main one is Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, with roller coasters, shows and festivals. Next door is the water park Dollywood’s Splash Country.

Carolina do Norte · Great Smoky Mountains

Cherokee

Town at the park’s southern entrance, within the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Qualla Boundary. It has the Museum of the Cherokee People, the Oconaluftee visitor center with an open-air pioneer farm and elk in the fields, and Mingo Falls. Newfound Gap Road connects the town to Gatlinburg through the middle of the park.

The local experience

Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains

Pigeon Forge · Tennessee · Theme park

Dollywood

Dolly Parton’s theme park in the hills of Pigeon Forge, with roller coasters, live music shows, Appalachian artisans and year-round festivals.

Gatlinburg · Tennessee · National park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Park in the Appalachian Mountains, between Tennessee and North Carolina, with forests, waterfalls and about 1,300 km of trails. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cherokee · North Carolina · Museum

Museum of the Cherokee People

Museum of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, opened in 1948, about the history, language and living culture of the three federally recognized Cherokee groups.

Pigeon Forge · Tennessee · Water park

Dollywood's Splash Country

A water park next to Dollywood, nestled in the woods, with slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a children’s area, open in summer.

See 5 more places in Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg · Tennessee · Mountain

Clingmans Dome

The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains, at 2,025 meters, with a concrete observation tower on a ramp and views over the mountain ranges.

Cherokee · North Carolina · Visitor center

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Park visitor center at the southern entrance, next to the Mountain Farm Museum, an open-air pioneer farm, and fields where elk often graze.

Gatlinburg · Tennessee · Meadow

Cades Cove

Mountain-enclosed valley in the park’s west, with open fields, cabins, churches and an old settlers’ mill, and a loop of about 17 km.

Cherokee · North Carolina · Waterfall

Mingo Falls

Approximately 37-meter waterfall in the Qualla Boundary, near Cherokee, reached by a short steep stairway.

Gatlinburg · Tennessee · Scenic highway

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

A narrow one-way road that leaves Gatlinburg and crosses the forest alongside streams, old cabins and waterfalls.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From late September to early November, tree leaves usually change color, starting at higher elevations. April and May bring wildflowers. Summers are hot in the valleys and cooler at higher elevations; in winter, the Kuwohi road closes and it can snow on the mountains.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three or four days: two in the park, one at Dollywood and half a day in Cherokee.

Which city to stay in

Gatlinburg sits adjacent to the north entrance and has a walkable downtown. Pigeon Forge is better if you plan to visit Dollywood. Cherokee and the Bryson City valley serve the North Carolina side; Townsend is near Cades Cove.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Great Smoky Mountains

How do I get to the Great Smoky Mountains?

Via Knoxville Airport, about 65 km from Gatlinburg, or Asheville Airport, about 95 km from Cherokee, followed by driving.

How many days should I allow for the Great Smoky Mountains?

Three or four: two in the park, one at Dollywood and half a day in Cherokee.

What is the best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains?

Autumn, from late September to early November, for the colorful leaves, and spring for the wildflowers. Summer is busier.

Do I need a car in the Great Smoky Mountains?

Yes; there is no public transportation in the park and towns are spread out from one another.

Does Great Smoky Mountains National Park charge an entrance fee?

No. What you pay is for parking: anyone leaving a car parked in the park for more than 15 minutes must display a tag on the dashboard.

What time zone are the Great Smoky Mountains in?

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee follow Eastern Time: UTC−5, or UTC−4 from March to November.

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Great Smoky Mountains

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.