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Smoky Mountains
United States
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Visit Smoky Mountains
Nestled along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a majestic landscape rich with ancient mountains, lush forests, and a diversity of plant and animal life. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, drawing millions of visitors each year who come to revel in its natural beauty and explore its extensive network of trails and scenic drives. Whether you're an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Smoky Mountains provide a perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation.
The park features over 800 miles of trails that cater to all levels of hikers. From the challenging ascent of Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the park, to the quiet, meandering paths through wildflower-laden fields, there is something here for everyone. The Appalachian Trail also runs through the park, offering a slice of this iconic trek to both serious backpackers and day hikers. For those interested in history, the park's numerous historical sites, including Cades Cove and the Mountain Farm Museum, offer a glimpse into the life of Appalachian settlers through well-preserved cabins, barns, and churches set against a backdrop of towering mountains and verdant forests.
Driving through the park is another fantastic way to take in the sights, with the Cades Cove Loop Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail being particularly popular. These routes offer stunning vistas and frequent wildlife sightings, with black bears, deer, and myriad bird species inhabiting the area. Fall is a particularly magical time to visit, as the forest explodes in vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, creating a breathtaking palette that is a photographer's dream. Meanwhile, spring brings a profusion of blooming wildflowers, adding a splash of color to the verdant landscape.
No matter the season, the Smoky Mountains offer a wealth of natural beauty and serene landscapes that can soothe the soul and invigorate the spirit. Whether you're looking for rigorous outdoor activities, wildlife watching, or simply a quiet spot to enjoy the panoramic views, a visit to the Smoky Mountains is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Smoky Mountains Monthly Weather Conditions
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DAYS OF PRECIP.
January
20°F
43°F
12
February
28°F
45°F
12
March
42°F
56°F
12
April
42°F
64°F
12
May
56°F
72°F
12
June
60°F
78°F
11
July
59°F
85°F
11
August
59°F
84°F
12
September
57°F
72°F
12
October
50°F
68°F
12
November
42°F
56°F
12
December
20°F
49°F
12
Need to Know Before You Go To Smoky Mountains
Nickname:
Smokies
Primary Language:
English
Time Zone:
America/New_York
Current Time:
Electric Plug Type:
Type A and Type B
Annual Visitors:
12.5 million
Primary Export:
The Smoky Mountains do not produce exports as they are a national park and a protected area, primarily known for tourism and natural beauty rather than commercial exports.
Busiest Travel Months:
October, July, June
Quietest Travel Months:
December, January, February
Find your Next Adventure in Smoky Mountains
Explore Smoky Mountains
Iconic Landmarks
Clingmans Dome
As the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360-degree views of the smokies. It features an observation tower on the summit that provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Cades Cove
This broad, verdant valley is one of the most popular destinations in the park. It's known for its abundant wildlife, historic buildings, and stunning mountain views. Visitors can explore the area via a scenic loop road, which offers access to historic homesteads, churches, and cemeteries.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This one-way loop road offers a close look at the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains. It features rushing mountain streams, old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings.
Alum Cave Trail
This is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It leads to Alum Cave Bluffs, offering stunning views along the way, and continues to Mount LeConte, one of the highest peaks in the Eastern United States.
Newfound Gap Road
This is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering dramatic views of the mountains. The road itself is a scenic route that connects Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC, and features a variety of pullouts with magnificent viewpoints.
Laurel Falls
One of the most popular waterfalls in the national park, Laurel Falls is accessible via a paved trail that is suitable for families. The waterfall is 80 feet high and is named for the mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub that blooms along the trail and around the falls in May.
Cultural Experiences
Visit Dollywood
Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood is a theme park founded by country music legend Dolly Parton. The park features rides, traditional crafts, and musical performances, all celebrating the culture of the Southern Appalachians. It's a family-friendly place that offers insight into the local culture through its showcases of music, dance, and craft.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
While primarily known for its natural beauty, the park also offers a deep dive into the cultural history of the region. Visitors can explore historic buildings, including log cabins, barns, and churches, which have been preserved to illustrate the life of early settlers. The park also hosts various cultural demonstrations, including blacksmithing and milling.
Attend the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Held annually in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this fair is a celebration of crafts and artisans from all over the USA. It features demonstrations and sales of traditional crafts such as pottery, quilting, woodcarving, and painting, providing a great opportunity to see Appalachian craftspeople at work and to purchase unique handmade items.
Explore the Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Located in Cherokee, North Carolina, this museum offers a comprehensive overview of Cherokee history and culture through exhibits that include artifacts, artwork, and multimedia presentations. It's an essential visit for understanding the indigenous heritage of the region and the impact of European settlement.
Oconaluftee Indian Village
Also in Cherokee, North Carolina, this living history museum replicates a 1760s Cherokee village, offering demonstrations of traditional crafts such as basket weaving, pottery, and beadwork. Visitors can also watch live reenactments and learn about the Cherokee lifestyle and rituals from knowledgeable guides dressed in period attire.
Music and Dance Shows
The Smoky Mountains are renowned for their musical heritage, particularly bluegrass and mountain music. Places like the Smoky Mountain Opry and the Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler often host live music performances. Additionally, the annual Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales event in Gatlinburg features street performances by musicians, storytellers, and artisans, providing a lively cultural experience.
Outdoor Adventures
Hiking
The park features over 800 miles of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes. Notable trails include the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, the Appalachian Trail, and the hike to Charlies Bunion.
Wildlife Viewing
The Smokies are renowned for their diverse wildlife. Visitors can spot white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, and many other species. Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley are particularly famous for wildlife viewing, especially at dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
Camping
With frontcountry campsites, backcountry sites, and horse camps, camping is a great way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Smokies. Popular campgrounds like Elkmont and Smokemont offer facilities for a comfortable stay amidst nature.
Fishing
The park's streams are teeming with trout, making it a popular destination for fishing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced angler, the Smokies provide a serene and scenic fishing experience. Remember, a valid fishing license is required.
Auto Touring
For those who prefer to explore from the comfort of their vehicle, the park offers several beautiful driving routes. The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile one-way road that allows visitors to leisurely explore the historic buildings, scenic views, and possible wildlife sightings. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is another drive not to be missed, featuring lush forest and historic homesteads.
Photography and Scenic Views
The Smoky Mountains are a photographer’s paradise, especially during the fall when the foliage turns into a vibrant display of oranges, reds, and yellows. Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park, offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The observation tower at the summit provides a spectacular vantage point for sunrise and sunset.
Off the Beaten Path
Spruce Flats Falls
Located near the Townsend entrance, this hidden gem is accessed via a moderate 2-mile round trip hike from the Tremont Institute. The trail is less traveled and leads to a beautiful and relatively secluded waterfall.
Cataloochee Valley
This remote area is known for its scenic views and historic buildings, including old churches, schoolhouses, and homes. It's also a great place to view elk, which were reintroduced to the park in 200
The valley's remote nature keeps the crowds at bay, offering a peaceful experience of the park’s wildlife and history.
Gregory Bald
Famous for its spectacular displays of azaleas in June, Gregory Bald is a 11.3-mile round trip hike that offers stunning panoramic views. The challenging hike tends to deter large crowds, making it a perfect spot for those looking to enjoy solitude and natural beauty.
Twentymile Trail
Located in a less visited area of the park, the Twentymile Trail offers a peaceful hike along streams and through old-growth forest. It's a great place for those looking to escape the more popular areas of the park and enjoy some tranquility.
Balsam Mountain
This area offers a scenic drive and several less-traveled hiking trails. It's higher and cooler than some other parts of the park, providing a refreshing escape during the hot summer months. The Balsam Mountain Campground provides a great base from which to explore this less crowded part of the park.
Deep Creek Area
While somewhat popular for tubing in the summer, the hiking trails in the Deep Creek area lead to beautiful waterfalls and quiet forest areas. Trails like the Deep Creek and Indian Creek trails offer a chance to enjoy the natural beauty without the crowds found on more popular paths.
Smoky Mountains Fun Facts
The Great Smoky Mountains, straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, are renowned for their breathtaking beauty and rich history. Here are the top 10 fun facts about the Smoky Mountains:
- Biodiversity Hotspot
The Smoky Mountains are known for their incredible biodiversity. They are home to over 19,000 species of plants, animals, and fungi, with scientists believing there could be an additional 80,000-100,000 species yet to be discovered.
- Ancient Mountains
The Smokies are among the oldest mountains in the world, formed some 200-300 million years ago. They were once as tall as the modern-day Rockies but have been eroded over time to their current heights.
- Salamander Capital
The park is often referred to as the "Salamander Capital of the World." It hosts the highest diversity of salamander species in the world, with 24 species of lungless salamanders living within its boundaries.
- Most Visited National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, with over 12 million visitors annually, far surpassing the second most visited, the Grand Canyon.
- Cades Cove
This valley in the park is one of the most popular destinations within the Smokies, offering visitors a glimpse into the past with well-preserved homesteads, scenic views, and abundant wildlife.
- Clingmans Dome
The highest point in the park, Clingmans Dome stands at 6,643 feet. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and features a distinctive concrete observation tower at the summit.
- Weather Diversity
Due to its vast range of elevations, the park experiences a wide variety of weather conditions, ranging from subtropical in the lower areas to frigid temperatures in the higher elevations.
- Historical Significance
Before becoming a national park, the land was inhabited by the Cherokee and other Native American tribes. Many places throughout the park still bear the names given by these indigenous peoples.
- The Appalachian Trail
Approximately 71 miles of this famous 2,190-mile-long trail runs through the Smoky Mountains, providing some of the most scenic hiking experiences in the Eastern United States.
- Bioluminescent Fungi
The park is home to several species of bioluminescent fungi that glow in the dark. This natural phenomenon can be seen during the warmer months, especially in moist, decaying wood areas.
Featured Picture Gallery
The Smoky Mountains Got Their Name From the Blue Mist that Hover Over, Looking Like Smoke
Dive Deep into Nature as You Find Hidden Treasures During a Hike
Visit Gatlinburg, TN Which is Known as a Gatway to the Smoky Mountains
Immerse Yourself in the Lush Colors During the Autumn Season
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