GSMNP GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS PARK
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Body Content

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited in the National Park system. The natural beauty and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched! Great Smoky Mountains National Park info included on this site includes: general park info, book Smoky Mountain cabin rentals and hotels, maps, trout fishing, hiking, auto touring, history of the Park’s development, and popular Cades Cove. Also, this Smoky Mountain site makes available information about weddings in the national park, shopping, the Appalachian Trail, Fall foliage, photos of waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers.

500,000+ Acres of Wilderness
800 Miles Hiking Trails
1,500+ Plant Species
10 Campgrounds
Smoky Mountain History

A Brief Park History

From its inception in 1923, the idea for creating a national park of the Smoky Mountains area was fraught with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Financial, cultural, and political issues were overcome to create what is today the most visited national park in our American Park system. Read a brief history of how the Great Smoky Mountains National Park came about and who the dedicated and visionary individuals were that stuck with the effort for 17 years until the Park’s dedication in 1940.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Park – and for good reason. This fertile mountain valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains. An 11-mile one-way loop road winds around the valley, with stops at preserved pioneer structures. A visitor’s center with pioneer exhibits, a 5-mile hike to Abrams Falls, abundant wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, and facilities for horseback riding all make Cades Cove a complete visitor’s sampler of all the Park has to offer.

Cataloochee

Cataloochee

North Carolina’s answer to Cades Cove – without the crowding. Interestingly, Cataloochee had a greater population at its peak than Cades Cove. Well off the beaten path, Cataloochee offers historic structures, opportunities for hiking, campgrounds, and spectacular vistas. It doesn’t offer quite as much as Cades Cove, so isn’t as crowded – but that’s the attraction for many people.

Auto Touring

Auto Touring

If we can’t convince you to get out of your vehicle and enjoy the very best the Park has to offer, try auto touring loops! Enjoy 150 maintained hiking trails totaling 800 miles, mountain vistas, old growth forests, nature trails, and trout streams right from some of these fantastic scenic roads.

Park Entrances

Park Entrances

There are six entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Besides the main options at Gatlinburg and Cherokee, there are lesser-known spots. Discover alternative entries at Townsend, Tennessee (billed as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies”), Cosby, Cataloochee, and Wears Valley. Newfound Gap Road completely traverses the terminal boundaries.

Visitor Centers

Visitor Centers

Park visitor centers are maintained in three locations within the Park, open daily at Sugarlands, Oconoluftee, and Cades Cove. Visitor centers maintain naturalist exhibits, provide Park literature such as trail maps, self-guided tours, and books, and Park Rangers are on-hand to answer all Park-related questions.

Tremont Operations

Tremont

Before a handful of brilliant folks chartered it as a national park, two-thirds of what is now the Great Smoky Mountains was owned by logging companies. For three decades, the Little River Lumber Company cut and hauled away portions of deciduous forests. A visit to Tremont and its self-guided tour will give you an idea of the massive lumber operation that existed.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls

The Smoky Mountains contain many wonderful streams and waterfalls – many of which are rewards for trekking the well-maintained hiking trails. The easiest to get to is Laurel Falls (it’s paved for accessibility) just off Little River Road between the Sugarlands Visitors Center and the “Y” to Townsend. The tallest and, arguably, most exciting is Ramsay Cascades.

Hiking

Hikes

One-hundred fifty maintained hiking trails totaling more than 800 miles crisscross the Park. Many parallel trout streams and lead to waterfalls. Several hikes offer great opportunities to get out of your vehicle to view wildflowers in spring, fantastic mountain vistas in winter, fall foliage in the autumn, and record-size trees in summer.

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies (6,643 feet). On clear days it affords spectacular 360 degree views of the Park. To get to Clingmans Dome, you want to be on Newfound Gap Road. One-tenth of a mile south from Newfound Gap, turn onto Clingmans Dome Road and travel 7 miles to the observation summit.

Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road

The only road that completely traverses the Park, Newfound Gap Road runs the 33 miles between Cherokee NC and Gatlinburg TN. This road has so much to offer in the way of nature walks, hikes, mountain views, and historic structures, that we devote a much longer article about the Newfound Gap Road experience.

Mt. LeConte

Mt. LeConte

One of the Park’s finest features – from afar or up close – Mt. LeConte hosts five great hiking trails to the top. One of the most popular hikes to Mt. LeConte is the Alum Cave Bluff Trail. Mt. LeConte also boasts the only lodging within the Park: Mt. LeConte Lodge – Cabins accessible only by trail reservation. Call 423.429.5704.

Old Growth

Old Growth Forests

Saved from the huge lumber companies when the Park was established, some virgin stands of old-growth trees exist in the Great Smokies. The American Forests organization reports that the Smokies contain 21 national champion sized trees. The Greenbrier section of the Park is home to several massive record beauties.

Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail

Sixty nine of the 2,015 miles that make up the Appalachian Trail cross the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains, serving as a border. The AT serves as a backbone to which several major Smokies hiking trails connect. Learn more about the Appalachian Trail sections and maps inside the park border.

Wildflowers

Wildflower Pilgrimage

The annual Wildflower Pilgrimage is held in April. Conducted by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, it features guided long walks. The Pilgrimage consists of nearly 100 walks, auto tours, talks, and demonstrations to view wildflowers, trees, ferns, geology, and more. Call 423.436.1200 for details.

Mailing: GSMNP, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
Horse Riding

Horseback Riding

Despite the damage horses do to trails, horseback riding is still supported in the Great Smoky Mountains. Both drive-in camps and horses-for-hire are available. Stables are active from March until late November at 4 primary locations within the National Park. Rates are around $20 per hour (subject to change), and certain weight and age limits apply.

Stables

Riding Stables

If you're looking to rent a horse, you can get in touch with local stables directly to check on availability and seasonal schedules. Contact info can confirm standard trail operational status dynamically prior to arrival on peak weekends.

Cades Cove Stables (Townsend, TN)
(865) 448-6286
(Also offers hayrides and carriage rides)

Smokemont Riding Stables (Cherokee, NC)
(828) 497-2373

Sugarlands Stables (Gatlinburg, TN)
(865) 436-3535