Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overview
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is made up of countless forested mountain ridges that form the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Encompassing over 800 square miles in the southern Appalachian Mountains, this one of America's most visited national parks, and for good reason! The park is famous for its stunning variety of flora and fauna, the magnificence of its ancient topography, and the remnants of its Southern Appalachian culture. Visitors are sure to be impressed by the wonderful diversity that the park has to offer.
To learn more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit www.nps.gov.
Local Info
Hours of operation vary by season. To see current hours of operation as well as to see the amentities offered at each visitor center, visit the park's website.
- Cades Cove Visitor Center: Open daily, except on Christmas Day. Hours vary by season.
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center: Open daily, except on Christmas Day. Hours vary by season.
- Sugarlands Visitor Center: Open daily, except on Christmas Day. Hours vary by season.
- Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station: Open April through November. Hours vary by season.
Visiting Tips
Due to the varied elevation and topography in the park, local weather can be unpredictable. The temperatures are greatly varied between mountain tops and valley floors, and the weather can also be drastically different. The park's lowlands average about 55 inches of rain per year while Clingmans Dome receives up to 85 inches per year. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and be conscious of the weather when planning a trip to the park.
Fees & Passes:
There is no entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Camping & Lodging
The park maintains ten developed campgrounds. Campsites at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont may be reserved online or by phone at (877) 444-6777. Advance reservations are required at Cataloochee Campground. All remaining park campgrounds are filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information about camping reservations, campground amenities, and seasons of operation, visit the park's website.
- Abrams Creek: 16 sites. Open late May to mid-October. Sites filled on a first come, first served basis.
- Balsam Mountain: 46 sites. Open late May to mid-October. Sites filled on a first come, first served basis.
- Big Creek: 12 sites. Open early April to late October. Sites filled on a first come, first served basis.
- Cades Cove: 159 sites. Open year round. Reservations can be made online.
- Cataloochee: 27 sites. Open late May to late October. Reservations required and can be made online.
- Cosby: 157 sites. Open early April to late October. Reservations can be made online.
- Deep Creek: 92 sites. Open early April to late October. Sites filled on a first come, first served basis.
- Elkmont: 220 sites. Open mid-March to late November. Reservations can be made online.
- Look Rock: 68 sites. Sites filled on a first come, first served basis.
- Smokemont: 142 sites. Open year round. Reservations can be made online.
Backcountry Camping:
Advance reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. To make reservations, please visit the park's website.
Lodging:
The LeConte Lodge is the only lodging located within the park. It is located on the top of Mount Le Conte and is only accessible on foot. Reservations must be made in advance and can be made online or by calling (865) 429-5704.
Food & Drink
Other Activities
Maps & Guidebooks
Gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 14
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Recommended Routes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 44
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Running
- 2,873 Miles 4,624 Kilometers of Trail
- 44 Recommended Routes
- 14 Gems
- 47
Easy Trails
- 175
Intermediate Trails
- 104
Difficult Trails
Areas Within Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Weather Averages
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Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 282
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4.3
mi
7.0
km
#1Abrams Falls Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
16
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2.3
mi
3.7
km
#2Cades Cove Horse Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
2
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3.6
mi
5.8
km
#3Anthony Creek Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
8
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0.8
mi
1.3
km
#4Cades Cove Nature Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
15
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2.2
mi
3.5
km
#5Crooked Arm Ridge Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
8
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5.0
mi
8.0
km
#6Gregory Ridge Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
6
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3.8
mi
6.0
km
#7Indian Grave Gap Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
6
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0.3
mi
0.4
km
#8John Oliver Cabin Access
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
4
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5.5
mi
8.9
km
#9Ace Gap Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
7
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3.4
mi
5.4
km
#10Rich Mountain Loop Trail
Wildwood, TN
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Wildwood, TN |
4
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Photos of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 917
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