Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains

America's most visited national park straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, offering misty mountain vistas, cascading waterfalls, and diverse hiking trails. It features pristine wilderness with abundant wildlife and scenic drives.

Things to do

• Cades Cove Loop Drive — An 11-mile scenic one-way loop offering views of historic cabins, churches, and abundant wildlife including deer and black bears.
• Laurel Falls Hike — A moderate 2.6-mile round-trip trail leading to a 75-foot waterfall surrounded by old-growth hemlock forest.
• Newfound Gap Road Scenic Drive — The main park thoroughfare connecting Tennessee and North Carolina with pullouts offering panoramic mountain vistas and access to high-elevation trails.
• Alum Cave Trail — A 5-mile round-trip hike featuring a cave passage and views of rocky bluffs above the French Broad River watershed.
• Abrams Falls Trail — A 5-mile round-trip waterfall hike descending 1,000 feet through rhododendron thickets to a 20-foot cascade.
• Clingmans Dome Tower — A half-mile walk to the park's highest point at 6,643 feet offering 360-degree views into multiple states on clear days.
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail — A 5.5-mile one-way scenic loop drive through old-growth forest with multiple pullouts for short walks and photography.

Food to try

• Trout — Fresh-caught Smoky Mountain trout, typically pan-fried or grilled, is a regional specialty served at local restaurants near the park.
• Cornbread — Thick-cut, buttered cornbread is a staple side dish deeply rooted in Appalachian mountain cuisine throughout Tennessee and North Carolina.
• Country Ham Biscuits — Flaky buttermilk biscuits filled with salty, cured country ham reflect authentic mountain breakfast traditions passed down through generations.
• Ramps — These wild leeks foraged from Smoky Mountain slopes appear seasonally in local dishes, particularly in spring soups and fried preparations.
• Moonshine Tastings — Distilleries in gateway towns like Gatlinburg offer legal tastings of Tennessee whiskey and craft spirits with roots in the region's Prohibition-era history.

Local customs & good to know

• Arrive Early for Popular Trails — Peak hours bring crowds to famous waterfalls and overlooks; arriving before 9 a.m. ensures better parking and a quieter mountain experience.
• Respect Wildlife Distance — Black bears are common; maintain at least 50 yards distance and never feed animals, as fed bears become dangerous and are often relocated or destroyed.
• Check Road and Trail Conditions — Winter weather frequently closes Clingmans Dome Road and higher-elevation trails; always verify conditions at visitor centers before heading out.
• Embrace Slow Mountain Time — The park encourages leisurely exploration and reflection; locals value patience over rushing, so plan for longer drives and more frequent stops than you might expect.