Visitor Area/Center
- Cades Cove Visitor Center
- Indoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture. Includes Cable Mill, a grist mill which operates spring through fall, the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures.
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.
Directions
Inside
- Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Free admission to 20-minute film about the park. Extensive natural history exhibits.
Directions
Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441.
- Gatlinburg Welcome Center - Downtown
- Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.
Directions
At traffic light #3 on the parkway in downtown
- Gatlinburg Welcome Center - On the Spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
- Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.
Directions
Located 2 miles outside of Gatlinburg on US-441
- Sevierville Visitor Center
- Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville information. Public restrooms and telephones.
Directions
Highway US-66 in
- Townsend Visitor Center
- Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Townsend and local area information. Public restrooms and telephones.
Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. January - May 9:00 a.m. -
Historic
- Cable Mill in Cades Cove
- Open From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00-5:00
Directions
Inside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop
- Mingus Mill near Oconaluftee
- Open From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00-5:00
Directions
Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US
- The Mountain Farm Museum
- The Mountain Farm Museum is a unique collection of farm buildings assembled from locations throughout the park. Visitors can explore a log farmhouse, barn, apple house, springhouse, and a
- Mingus Mill
- A half-mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power
Scenic
- Cades Cove
- Cades Cove nestles in a beautiful valley. Open fields lap against 5,500-foot mountain peaks. With more than 2.5 million visitors annually, it is the Park's most popular destination. Most
- Cataloochee
- Cataloochee Valley is nestled among some of the most rugged mountains in the southeastern United States. Surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, this isolated valley was the largest and most prosperous
- Deep Creek
- The Deep Creek area is celebrated for its streams and waterfalls. Hikers can choose from several loop hikes leading to the waterfalls. Mountain bikers can take advantage of one
- Clingmans Dome
- Description - At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point
- Fontana Dam
- At 480 ft., Fontana Dam is the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains. The dam impounds the Little Tennessee River forming Fontana Lake and produces hydroelectric power.
- Newfound Gap
- Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains. It stands at an elevation of 5,048 feet. The gap captures the essence of the Smokeys: like
- Roaring Fork
- This narrow, winding, 5-mile-long road invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the Roaring Fork area. This area is a favorite side trip
- Balsam Mountain
- The Balsam Mountain area offers spectacular mountain views and loads of summer wildflowers. To get there, take the Blue Ridge Parkway, which begins 0.5 mile north of Cherokee NC.
- Cosby
- Cosby is an out-of-the-way area of the national park that is a favorite among locals and long-time Smokies visitors. Facilities include a campground that is almost never full and
- Greenbrier
- In spring, the Greenbrier area of the park is renowned for its wildflowers. The short drive to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead provides good wildflower viewing from your car, while
- Rich Mountain Road
- Rich Mountain Road heads north from Cades Cove over Rich Mountain to Tuckaleechee Cove and Townsend, TN. The 8-mile, one-way, gravel road provides beautiful views of Cades Cove. Many
- The Foothills Parkway
- The Foothills Parkway skirts the Great Smoky Mountain National Park's northern side. Only three sections are currently open to vehicle traffic. Due to funding and legislative difficulties, the ultimate
- Heintooga-Round Bottom Road
- Heintooga-Round Bottom Road is a 15-mile, one-way, gravel road leading from Balsam Mountain Road to Big Cove Road. It takes one hour to drive. The only access to the
Campground
- Abrams Creek Campground
- Abrams Creek Campground (elevation 1,125 feet. is located approximately 5 miles northeast of Chilowee and has 16 sites with trailer space. This campground has potable water and toilet facilities.
Contact
- Balsam Mountain Campground
- The Balsam Campground is located just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 458. The campground is rather small and off the beaten path offering some of the
- Big Creek Campground
- The Big Creek Campground lies in the eastern end of the park. The area is quite, offering hiking into a virgin forest. The campground sits at an elevation of
- Cades Cove Campground
- Cades Cove Campground (elevation 1,807 feet) is located approximately 14 miles west of Gatlinburg and has 161 sites with trailer space. This campground has potable water and toilet facilities.
Contact
- Cataloochee Campground
- This area is not as heavily used as other areas of the park, yet it remains a favorite for many people. The campground is located west of I-40 near
- Cosby Campground
- Cosby Campground (elevation 2,459 feet) is located approximately 6 miles south of Cosby and has 175 campsites with trailer space. Potable water and toilet facilities are available.
Contact Information:
The
- Deep Creek Campground
- The Deep Creek Campground offers 108 sites and is known for its water tubing, waterfalls and fishing opportunities. Railroad trips are offered during the summer months along the Smoky
- Elkmont Campground
- The Elkmont Campground (elevation 2,150 feet) is located 4 miles southwest of Gatlinburg and has 220 campsites with trailer space. This campground has potable water and toilet facilities.
Contact Information:
- Look Rock Campground
- Look Rock Campground (elevation 2,749 feet) is located on the western section of the Foothills Scenic Drive and has 68 campsites with trailer space. This campground has potable water
- Smokemont Campground
- The Smokemont Campground lies within a beautiful second-growth forest. The area offers wonderful loop trails, many of which are great for discovering rare wildflowers. The area is just north
Trail
- Abrams Falls Trail
- Abrams Falls is a 5-mile roundtrip hike. The trail begins in the back of Cades Cove loop road and is a moderate hike. Abrams Falls has the largest water
- Anthony Creek Trail
- Anthony Creek Trail is a strenuous 3.5 mile trail. This is Cades Cove's easternmost trail. It begins in the Cades Cove picnic area. The trail follows Anthony Creek to
- Balsam Mountain Trail
- The Balsam Mountain Trail is a pleasant walk through a forest of hardwoods to its terminus at the Appalachian Trail. This is a historical area abound with old shanties
- Baxter Creek Trail
- Baxter Creek Trail may be combined with Big Creek Trail and Swallow Fork Trail to form a nice loop back to the campground. It travels along a 6 mile
- Big Creek Trail
- The Big Creek Trail is located in the campground just south of Waterville and the Big Creek Ranger Station. The trail is part of a network of trails, looping
- Bone Valley Trail
- Bone Valley Trail is a short spur trail located off Lakeshore Trail and Hazel Creek Trail. If offers views of the restored historical Hall Cabin. The area is beautiful
- Boogerman Trail
- The trail is located in the Chataloochee Area following rushing trout streams and an old homestead. The trail begins at elevation 2,400 feet climbs steadily then dips back to
- Bradley Fork Trail
- This is a moderate trail traveling 5 miles and only changing elevation of 900 feet. The trail travels along side the Bradly Fork Creek on an old gravel road
- Cades Cove Nature Trail
- This is a great trail for families. It is less than one mile past the Cades Cove Visitor Center, and begins along the loop road. The two mile loop
- Caldwell Fork Trail
- The Caldwell Fork Trail is a moderate trail which follows a rushing stream. There are a number of foot bridges which keep you from getting your feet wet. The
- Cataloochee Divide Trail
- The Cataloochee Divide Trail is a moderate trail gaining elevation of approximately 1,500 feet over a 6.5 mile trek. The trail experiences a few major climbs from Double Gap
- Chestnut Branch Trail
- This is a strenuous 2 mile hike. It leads to the Appalachian Trail crossing over Chestnut Branch Creek. It passes several old home sites while traveling through a beautiful
- Cold Spring Gap Trail
- This trail is part of the network of trails located north of Fontana Lake. It travels along side Cold Spring Branch. It is a strenuous trek over rocking terrain
- Cooper Road Trail
- This little used 10.5 mile trail begins four miles from the loop entrance. It was once used for easy access to Cades Cove. It is a level, easy path.
- Deep Creek Trail
- This poplar trout stream trail ascends around 2,800 feet over 14 miles. The lower portion of the trail runs along an old railroad grade. There are a number of
- Deep Low Gap Trail
- Deep Gap Trail is a moderate trail which connects Indian Creek with Newton Bald. The trail ascends about 2,500 feet under 9 miles. It goes from Deeplow Gap and
- Eagle Creek Trail
- The trail travels off the Appalachian Trail near the Spence Field Shelter. It travels over 9 miles changing with a changing elevation of 3,000 feet. It crosses rippling streams
- Enloe Creek Trail
- Enloe Creek Trail is the only trail which directly links Bradley Fork and Raven Fork areas. The trail difficulty is moderate dropping only 1,200 feet with 3.5 miles of
- Flat Creek Trail
- This is a beautiful day-hike traveling 2.5 miles and changing elevations of only 400 feet. The trail is considered moderate and has only a few slippery, steep spots. The
- Fork Ridge Trail
- Fork Ridge Trail is accessed off Deep Creek Trail to the south and the Appalachian Trail to the north. It can also be accessed from Clingman's Dome Road on
- Forney Creek Trail
- Forney Creek Trail is a lower creek trail that is considered strenuous. It connects the Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome. The trail is 10 miles long with an elevation
- Forney Ridge Trail
- The Forney Ridge Trail is a fairly challenging trail which dips over 2,400 feet in a little less and 6 miles. The trail travels through beautiful spruce-fir forest types
- Grassy Branch Trail
- Grassy Branch Trail is a challenging trail which begins north off Newfound Gap Road on Kephart Prong Trail. It is located along the Richland Mountain ridge where an overnight
- Gregory Ridge Trail
- The Cove's most scenic, but strenuous, hike is the Gregory Bald Ridge Trail. The trailhead is on Forge Creek Road. Follow Forge Creek Road two miles. It ends as
- Grotto Falls Trail
- Grotto Falls is an easy trail off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It is 2.4 miles roundtrip though a hemlock dominated forest. Grotto Falls is distinctive as the
- Hazel Creek Trail
- The Hazel Creek Trail offers wonderful fishing opportunities in addition to the scenery and backcountry camping. The trail has an elevation change of approximately 3,200 feet within a 16.5
- Henwallow Falls Trail
- Henwallow Falls is near Cosby Campground, south of Cosby, Tennessee. It is a 4.4 mile roundtrip along a moderate trail. This 45-foot fall receives less visitation than many other
- Indian Creek Road Trail
- Indian Creek is a lower creek trail of 4.5 miles. Most of the path is along a gravel road climbing 1,500 feet. The trail ascends to Sunkota Ridge, Martin
- Jenkins Ridge Trail
- Jenkins Ridge Trail rises approximately 2,000 feet within a 6 mile distance. The beginning of the trail is extremely steep and known as one of the steepest trails in
- Jonas Creek Trail
- The Jonas Creek Trail is a strenuous connector trail off Forney Creek and Welch Ridge Trails. The route is gorgeous leading through three separate forest-types. There are beautiful headwaters
- Kanati Fork Trail
- The Kanati Fork Trail is very strenuous, connecting Thomas Divide Trail with the New Found Gap Road. It offers a beautiful 3 mile hike through a hardwood and hemlock
- Kephart Prong Trail
- Kephart Prong Trail is located north of US 441 / Newfound Gap Road before the road makes two dramatic switchbacks. The trail heads north along the Kephart Prong offering
- Lakeshore Trail
- The Lakeshore Trail is 25 miles long. It travels across the lowlands on the north side of Fontana Lake. The trail does not weave in and out of coves,
- Laurel Falls Trail
- Laurel Falls is the easiest waterfall hike on the Tennessee side of the park. It is 2.5 miles roundtrip, and follows a paved trail. The trail cuts through the
middle
- Little Cataloochee Trail
- The Little Cataloochee Trail is a moderate trail, 5 miles in length. This trail may be accessed from the Balsam Mountain Campground area or off Cataloochee Road's gauging station
- Long Bunk Trail
- The Long Bunk Trail is a fairly short trail traveling between Little Cataloochee and Mount Sterling Gap Trails. It travels past several early settlements which were part of Little
- Long Hungry Ridge Trail
- The Long Hungry Ridge Trail is a connector between Twentymile Creek and Gregory Bald Trail. It is a beautiful path through several different forest types. There are primitive campsites
- Lost Cove Trail
- Lost Cove is a connector trail between the Appalachian Trail by Sassafras Gap, north of Fontana Lake Dam area and the Western Shoreline Trail. It also connects with Eagle
- Martin Gap Trail
- The Martin Gap Trail is a 2.7 mile connector trail between Deep Creek and Sukota Ridge Trail. The trail is both a horse trail and foot path. The trail
- Mount Sterling Gap Trail
- The trail is part of a network of loop trails offering an opportunity to crisscross through the national park. It is a multi-use trail that travels between Long Bunk
- Mount Sterling Ridge Trail
- This multi-use trail offers a pleasant hike from Balsam Mountain to Big Creek Trails. The descent is gradual but steady from the Mt. Sterling Fire tower to Pretty Hollow
- Nolan Creek Trail
- The Nolan Creek Trail is a moderate trail that closely follows the Nolan Creek offering wonderful fishing opportunities. This is a multi-use trail that is a little over 10
- Noland Divide Trail
- This is a beautiful trail traveling through miles of yellow birch, mountain ash, maple and spruce at the higher elevations. The trail crosses back and forth of the Noland
- Palmer Creek Trail
- The Palmer Creek Trail is a popular equestrian path. It follows along Shanty Mountain crossing Lost Bottom Creek and Pretty Hollow Creek. The path is considered strenuous trail with
- Pinnacle Creek Trail
- Pinnacle Creek Trail offers a multitude of opportunities to head in various directions for horseback riding, hiking, fishing and camping. The trail actually connects the Eagle Creek areas and
- Pole Road Creek Trail
- This relatively short connector trail is rather strenuous as it climbs 1,800 feet within 3.5 miles. At one time this was a busy lumbering area but now the forest
- Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
- Pretty Hollow Gap Trail is part of a network of trails located north of the Balsam Mountain Campground and Cataloochee Campground. The trail is fairly strenuous following a 5
- Rainbow Falls Trail
- Rainbow Falls, at 80 feet, is the highest single plunge water takes in the park. It is a 5.5 mile roundtrip hike. It is rated between moderate and strenuous.
- Ramsey Cascades Trail
- Ramsay Cascades is a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike. The trailhead begins in the Greenbrier Area. A magnificent scene, Ramsay Cascades tumbles over 100 feet among a spectacular setting.
Contact Information:
- Rich Mountain Loop Trail
- The 8 mile moderate loop trail offers quiet and isolation. The trail features beautiful views of Cades Cove and many wildlife viewing opportunities.
Contact Information:
The Great Smoky Mountains,
- Rough Fork Trail
- The 6.5 mile trails follows a beautiful trout stream along a gravel road in the mid section of the valley. The trail passes several old farm sites offering views
- Springhouse Branch Trail
- The Springhouse Branch Trail travels through a beautiful deciduous woods filed with oak, maple, sassafras and tulip poplar. It also passes through a hemlock and pine grove over loose
- Sugar Fork Trail
- Sugar Fork Trail is an important trail connecting the Eagle Creek and Hazel Creek areas. There is a wonderful spur trail to the north, Bone Valley Trail which offers
- Sunkota Ridge Trail
- Sunkota Ridge Trail is a part of the trail system just above Bryson City. It runs between Deep Creek and Indian Creek Road Trails. It is a moderate trail
- Sweat Heifer Creek Trail
- Sweat Heifer Trail is a beautiful connector between Kephart Prong Trail and the Appalachian Trail. There are two shelters available. One being the Kephart Shelter, located on Kephart Prong
- Thomas Divide Trail
- The Thomas Divide Trail is a wonderful trail for winter hiking with the leaves are off the trees offering many beautiful vistas. The trail is moderate in comparison other
- Twentymile Creek Trail
- The trail leaves from behind the ranger station to climb to Sassafras Gap, about 1/2 mile from the Shuckstack Fire tower. As you reach the fire tower you will
- Welch Ridge Trail
- This multi-use trail offers a panoramic 180 degree views at its terminus near High Rocks. The elevation at this point is 5,200 feet. The trail travels along a high
- Western Shoreline Trail
- This trail is relatively easy running along the shoreline of the western side of Fontana Lake. You will see a number of abandoned vehicles from the 1930's when the
- Wolf Ridge Trail
- Wolf Ridge Trail is very strenuous as it follows a high ridge. There are switchbacks to ease the ascension. Primitive camping is available along the route along with fishing
