Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park + Top Things to See and Do

Looking to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park to check it off your bucket list? If so, read on for everything you need to know to visit.

Seeing the Great Smoky Mountains was long on my list of places in the US to see. A gorgeous, lush park with mountain after mountain for as far as the eye can see?

Yes, please!

The reality of this park was every bit as amazing as I imagined it to be. It’s an incredible landscape offering a lot to see and do.

From visiting historic homes to hiking to bear-watching, you can do it all in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In this post, you’ll get the top spots to visit, and everything you need to know to have a great time!

me sitting in front of the park entrance sign, great smoky mountains national park, smokies, great smokies

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visit Details

If you’re planning to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, here are the details you’ll need for your trip:

It is free to enter the park, but you must pay for parking longer than 15 minutes.
Stop in any of the visitor centers for a parking pass. You’ll pay $5 a day and $15 a week.
Over 2,000 bears live in the park. Because of this, many of the trails aren’t dog-friendly, though there are some near the visitor centers in the north of the park by Gatlinburg and the southeast Oconaluftee entrance.

up close view of a black bear in front of a tree

Top 6 Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here are the most popular spots to visit in the park and the top things to do while you’re there. If you’re short on time, don’t miss Clingman’s Dome and the Cades Cove Loop!

1. Climb Clingman’s Dome

Clingman’s Dome is one of the top spots to visit in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s a heart-pumping hike on a paved road up the dome. Within minutes, you get incredible views that will keep you motivated!

The parking lot is quite small, so be prepared to wait or come back after visiting another area of the park. Or, go early to make sure you can get a spot.

Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in the park and in Tennessee at 6,643 feet. It’s actually also the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi! At the top of the dome, you get an incredible 360-degree view of the Smoky Mountains, all for a half-mile walk.

Climb the tower at the top for an extraordinary view. A ramp leads around the tower, giving you views in every direction of the park’s spectacular mountains.

Given the elevation, temperatures can vary 10 to 20 degrees from the bottom to the top, so be prepared! Also, given winter conditions, it’s often closed from December to late March

2. Drive the Cades Cove Loop

Plan to spend a few hours driving around the Cades Cove loop. This is a popular area to see wildlife in the park, so it’s a good idea to go as early as possible. When we went, we saw a bear cross the road on the way and several bears on the trails.

Make sure to buy a loop map in the visitor centers. There are many old homes in the area worth visiting. The John Oliver House is believed to be the oldest in the area. If you get off the trails, you’re likely to see wildlife. On our walks, we saw a small herd of deer and a couple of bears.

The Primitive Baptist Church was from around 1840 and there’s a Methodist Church not far away. The Cable Mill Historic Area and Visitor Center is worth a stop, and check out the Elijah Oliver Place and the Cable Mill, where corn and flour was ground for the community.

We saw a young bear playing by the loop drive, a poor, stressed mama bear, and two cubs by the loop as well. She tried to tree the cubs and was agitated, wanting to protect them as the cars drove by and people actually got out to get a closer look. (Which is never a good idea with an agitated mama bear!)

Be careful when you’re on the trails in this area and heading on the paths to the homes. You’re likely to come across wildlife, including bears.

old wooden mill, wooden house with mill at the bottom

wooden church along the cades cove loop, white painted church

3. Go White Water Rafting

Many people come from all over the USA to raft down the rapids in the Great Smoky Mountains. Most rafting companies are based in Pigeon Forge. SMO (Smoky Mountains Outdoor) is one of the most well-known companies in the area. They have won awards and thousands of 5-star ratings.

They offer all kinds of rafting trips from adventure rafting down class IV rapids to calm rafting trips that you can do with the family and children.

4. Enjoy a Swim

Head to the Sinks for a great and popular swimming area. Parking can be a challenge, but it’s worth it if you can find a spot.

You can also get in the water in the rocky spots along the Middle Prong Trail. The creek is a lovely respite from the heat, and you can walk out on the rocks and even take a dip.

5. Get Out and Enjoy the Best Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

There are a lot of hiking trails in all areas of the park. If you bring your dog, there are three dog-friendly hikes. Two are near the Oconaluftee Visitor Entrance, and one is in the very north part of the park.

Middle Prong Trail—Really nice trail that goes for several miles along a creek. It’s an out-and-back trail, so hike as far as you’d like before returning. You’ll see people fishing along the way and some great large rocks in the creek to take a break.
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte—This trail is one of the most challenging ones in the park, but the views are seriously worth it. Some of the rocks along this trail can get super wet in the rain, so I wouldn’t recommend going here in the rain.
Laurel Falls Trail—This is one of the most popular trails in the park because it only takes about an hour to hike and is relatively very easy so you can bring along the family and kids.
Chimney Tops Trail—This is another great option for a challenging trail with really spectacular views. It’s also a nice trail to spot wildlife.

stream going over rocks, path in the woods with small and large trees, great smoky mountains, tennessee

view of the stream and trees from the hiking path

6. Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Depending on where you visit the park, you’ll likely drive a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there, particularly if you’re visiting from western North Carolina.

If you’re not, don’t skip it. You’ll meander through some of the most incredibly beautiful areas in the United States. There are peaks and valleys with steep drop-offs, smoky blue mountains, and lush green areas.

You’ll find a lot of pull-offs to stop and take in the incredible views.

beautiful views of the blue ridge mountains, green landscaping, green covered moutains

How to Get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you’re in Tennessee, you will need to travel through Gatlinburg or Townsend to get to the park. I recommend coming from Gatlinburg as you can pass through Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, which are both nice towns for eating and accommodation

If you’re driving from North Carolina, head towards the Oconaluftee entrance and pass through Waynesville. It’s a cute small town and a lovely stop. Many of the restaurants on the main street are dog-friendly. Patio Bistro is a great option! And you’ll drive part of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway!

If you need to fly, the closest airports are Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and McGhee Tyson Airport which is close to Knoxville.

From either of these airports, you will need to rent a car as public transportation is not an option.

How to Get Around Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The best way to get around the park is by car. You will definitely need to rent a car to drive to all the best hiking spots and visitor centers.

If you are flying into Tennessee and need to rent a car, there are car rental places in nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Weather & When to Visit When to Visit

If you want to visit the park when the weather is best, it’s recommended that you come during the early summer and fall. During these times, the weather is cool, and you can really enjoy the outdoors.

However, since the weather is great during this time, the park also gets really crowded.

If you want to avoid crowds, you can visit the park in the early spring and winter. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing, though, as hiking in the cold can be pretty miserable.

If there is inclement weather or too much snow, parts of the park can also close. Make sure to check the website before coming in the winter.

Some activities, like white water rafting, are also not available when the weather is not warm.

large deer with huge antlers hiking in the greenery

How Much Time to Spend in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It’s a good idea to plan three days or more in the Great Smokies. You could easily spend a week if you want to visit all of the different areas of the park and enjoy the activities it offers.

Based on my experience, three days would be a minimum recommendation. That gives you enough time to explore the most popular areas, go for a hike (or two!) and a swim, and drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

If you’re short on time, spend a few hours on the Cades Cove Loop, where you’ll see historic homes and lots of animal sightings, including bears. Go up Cades Cove and make sure to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Great Smoky National Park Hotels

There are not any hotels in the park, but you can find plenty of places to stay in nearby Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge and Maggie Valley are also nice cities for accommodation.

Budget—Veda Inn & Cottages: This is a nice basic hotel in Maggie Valley. It has free Wi-Fi and free parking. The cottages have full kitchens and sitting rooms making it a great option if you’re traveling as a group. At Christmas, they even decorate the cottages and put up Christimas trees.

Mid-range—Twin Mountain Inn & Suites: This Pigeon Forge Hotel has stunning views of the mountain. You also get really nice views of the river from certain rooms. The hotel has free parking, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.

Luxury—The Lodge at Camp Margaritaville: If you’re traveling during warm weather, this is definitely the place to book as the outdoor pool is amazing complete with cabanas and poolside service. They have free Wi-Fi and a huge breakfast buffet every morning.

Great Smoky National Park Camping

There are several different spots to camp around the park. You can find all the different sites here.

Backcountry camping has the most options with many different campsites. Keep in mind this camping is primitive so you will want to bring all your own gear and be prepared to hike several miles to get to the campsite.

If you’re not interested in hiking with a bunch of gear, you can frontcountry camp. This is where you drive your car to a campsite and the set up your tent near your car. These sites have running water and several other amenities.

camping grounds in great smoky mountains national park

Where to Eat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are not many options for eating inside the park, so you’ll want to head to one of the nearby towns to find restaurants, cafes, and bars.

In Gatlinburg, north of the park, there’s a cute small arts and crafts village with some great shops and restaurants. Check out the Gallery Wine Bar, Tipsy Olive, and Hillbilly Harley. You’ll also find a lot of pancake shops, distilleries, and wineries.

Here are some other great options for eating in Gatlinburg:

Smoky Mountain Trout House: This is considered the best place in the area to eat seafood. Their main specialty is local trout and it’s served in a variety of different ways.
Timbers Log Cabin Rest aurant: Interested in typical Southern American food and experiencing the famous Southern hospitality? Make sure to stop at this restaurant. It’s a casual place so it’s perfect for checking out even if you’re still in your hiking clothes.
The Greenbrier Restaurant: If you want something a little fancier, The Greenbrier is a nice choice. The log cabin atmosphere makes it feel like you’re camping in the mountains. They have big portions with most dishes containing local seafood or meat.

boiled eggs on top of bread with vegetables

The Rampant Lion Scotch egg and Cornish pastry

Top Things to Do Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Two popular areas near Great Smoky National Park are Dollywood and Gatlinburg. We stayed in Gatlinburg due to its proximity to the park, though it was quite an adjustment driving through after enjoying a full day in the park.

We drove through the dark green canopy of trees to the extremely commercial area of Gatlinburg and gasped when we passed through it. It was a jolting reaction; as my friend said, it was “American consumerism in nightmare proportions.”

You may like it if you’re with family and love some of the popular chair restaurants and amusement-style areas. But, it wasn’t what we were interested in so I wouldn’t recommend it!

downtown gatlinburg with shops and mountains

On our second day in the park, we decided to go through the Pigeon Forge area and Dollywood, thinking it might be a little better. Nope! Once again, we were sorely disappointed to see such a heavily commercial and overbuilt area bordering the park.

It wasn’t quite as jarring as Gatlinburg, but again, it’s not an area I’d personally recommend.

If you’re driving from North Carolina to visit, Waynesville is a nice stop along the way. It’s a cute small town with a nice little downtown strip for walking and meandering. Patio Bistro is a great spot just off the main street through town, serving great salads, soups, and sandwiches.

And it’s dog-friendly! the town center is 45 minutes from the Oconaluftee Park Entrance and visitor center.

downtown view of waynesville north carolina, storefront businesses

Don’t Skip a Visit to the Great Smoky Mountains!

The Great Smoky Mountains should be on any United States bucket list. It’s an exquisite park filled with beauty and wildlife.

My trip to Yellowstone National Park didn’t include any bear sightings, and not from a lack of trying! In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we saw six in one day! It was definitely exciting.