Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the most synonymous names with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is Cades Cove. It is the area of the park that seems to get the most attention on visitor social media groups.

Cades Cove is a one-way loop road, approximately 11 miles long, through a “cove” or valley area within the park. Cades Cove is open year-round so it can be enjoyed during any time of the year – from sunrise to sunset.

Parking passes are required at Cades Cove. There are generally a couple of self-serve kiosks to get a parking pass, but it would be wise to plan ahead. Sometimes one or more kiosks are out of service which could leave you making the drive to Cades Cove and leave with a parking ticket.

Cades Cove is about 50 miles away from Gatlinburg Landing – and the travel time is dependent on the traffic. During periods of little to no traffic, the journey make take an hour and 45 minutes.

This very popular area has been known for great wildlife views including black bears and elk. Visitors bring a blanket and sit out in the field to have picnics. Visitors also meander through the historic houses and visitor center.

Some of the structures include the Cable Mill Historic Area which includes a grist mill, the Becky Cable house, and the John Cable house. A short walk (about 0.3 miles) and the John Oliver Cabin is also accessible.

Cades Cove also has a campground and a horse riding stable.

The website (listed below) mentions giving yourself between two and four hours to visit the park and drive through the loop road. There are other closure dates during the summer season – please be sure to look at the site below for those dates.

Address: Cades Cove Loop Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm

The Kuwohi Observation Tower is another fantastic attraction available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

Kuwohi Observation Tower used to be called Clingman’s Dome – but it was renamed on September 18, 2024.

Kuwohi Observation Tower and visitors center is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The observation tower offers unobstructed views over the national park in all directions. It is a bit of a hike to get to the tower – there is about a half-mile trail that is asphalt paved, but it is at a steep incline. There are benches along the path to rest if necessary.

Planning your trip to this location is important, however. The road to the tower is closed seasonally and the parking lot can be full many times with being a top tourist point.

The observation tower is generally open from late March/early April up until December. However, road conditions do cause the road to close earlier.

A parking pass is required to park in this area. Sometimes the kiosks at this location are not functional – so it is important to stop at the Sugarlands Visitors Center and get a pass before entering the park.

This attraction is approximately 35 miles from Gatlinburg Landing – or about a one hour and ten minute drive during normal traffic conditions.

Address: Kuwohi Observation Deck, Bryson City, NC 28713
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/kuwohi-observation-tower.htm

The Newfound Gap Road is one of the main roads into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSNMP).

Newfound Gap Road is accessed by driving through downtown Gatlinburg or by taking the Gatlinburg bypass. It is also known as US Route 441 and heads through the protected mountains down through Cherokee, NC.

This scenic drive offers fantastic views of the mountains. There are several pull-off spots along the road to get out and take pictures and take in the beauty of the area.

Newfound Gap Road also has a few larger parking areas where visitors will explore some of the many trails that lead to waterfalls and natural areas the park has to offer.

One of the places we always stop is at the Newfound Gap Road Parking Area. It straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina borders and offers restrooms and more scenic views of the mountains. The parking area is about 28 miles away, or approximately an hour drive with normal traffic conditions.

Just south of the Newfound Gap Road Parking Area is the road that will lead to the Kuwohi Observation Tower and visitors center (closed seasonally).

This is not a road meant to be traveled at top speed – but a road meant to take in the wonders and majestic views.

Address: Newfound Gap Parking Area, Bryson City, NC 28713
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/newfound-gap-overlook.htm

The Sugarlands Visitors Center is one of the main welcome centers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

The Sugarlands Visitors Center offers a good first stop when you enter the park just south of Gatlinburg on US Route 441 (Newfound Gap Rd).

The center offers some exhibits showing the history of the area, free park maps, seasonally programs that are ranger-led, and a gift shop.

Sugarlands is approximately 15 miles from Gatlinburg Landing. Head west and drive through downtown Gatlinburg to access.

This location offers parking passes to the national park if you plan to do any activities in the park that require parking for five minutes or more.

Address: 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a must-do activity in the protected Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) if you are here during the regular season.

This trail is easily accessible from Gatlinburg Landing – about a 30 minute drive. You will drive through downtown Gatlinburg or take the Baskins Creek Bypass to access the nature trail.

The motor nature trail does close seasonally and generally is open in early spring to Thanksgiving. The exact opening timeframe depends on road conditions, but typically opens in early April.

Roaring For Motor Nature Trail is great for travelers that want a quiet, scenic drive in the comfort of their own vehicle. This is a one-way loop road that provides for a slower pace to look at nature and wildlife.

Throughout the trail, there are several areas where you can park or quickly stop to take some breathtaking pictures of the mountains.

Be sure to get a parking pass if you intend to stop for more than a few minutes – or walk any of the trails. There are no kiosks in this area to purchase parking passes, so plan ahead.

Address: 117 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is a large protected park around the Gatlinburg TN area. The national park boasts many outdoor activity options with trails, camping, scenic roads, and more.

The Greenbrier Entrance to the park is the closest scenic drive-through area to Gatlinburg Landing – about six miles away. The Greenbrier area is open year round.

The Greenbrier area is a partially paved road (mostly rock/gravel) that follows along the Little Pigeon River. There are picnic areas in the area.

Activities include fishing, historic structures, cemeteries, and viewing of waterfalls.

Address: 120 Greenbrier Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/greenbrier.htm