Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Things to Do

The Park has many miles of hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail and there are occasional ranger-guided tours.

A drive around Cades Cove, an historic farming valley, is very popular due to the frequency of wildlife. However, due to congestion and "deer jams," the effective speed on this 11 mile (17 km) one-way loop is very slow — allow a few hours.

Fishing in the Steams and Creeks of the Appalachians

After the basics, hiking and sightseeing, fishing is the third most popular activity in Great Smokys National Park, although there are strict regulations that must be followed. Please consult the NPS site or Tennessee

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is offered by the national park service on limited trails only.

Cycling through the Great Smokys

Cycling both mountain biking, with all the good trails and touring the back roads on a road bike are popular activites. There are bicycles available for rent in Cades Cove.

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Watersports

Durring the warmer months there are several places where water tubing is practiced.

Hiking in the Great Smokys

Take the walking path to the top of Clingmans Dome (6643 feet / 2025 m), it is the highest point in the park, the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest point east of the Mississippi river. From the Sugarlands Visitors Center, go south 13 miles on Newfound Gap Road, to the also stunning Morton Overlook, and west 7 miles to the parking lot, before hiking a fairly steep path .5 mile to a concrete overlook. There are many dead trees at the top, victims of bug disease over past decades. Visibility at the top has been greatly reduced over past decades due to pollution. On the 20 mile route from Sugarlands to the peak, you ascend roughly a mile.

Morton Overlook En route to Clingmans dome, or if you're just going from one end of the park to the other on Newfound Gap Road, this great overlook, close to a mile above sea level, offers great views, plus a sign displaying the Tennessee-North Carolina state border, and the Appalachian Trail crosses here

The easiest waterfall hike is 2.5 miles round trip to Laurel Falls. The trail is paved and accessible even to strollers.

US Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) runs north to south through the park connecting Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. The road has steep grades and some tunnels as it winds through the mountains. There are many pull offs offering different views of the park, including the road to Clingmans Dome. Traffic on this road can be heavy during the park's busy seasons

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