Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Scenic Sunrise Landscape at Oconaluftee

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Overview

Get back to nature among mist-shrouded peaks, shimmering waterfalls and lush forests in the great American wilderness.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

The Henry Whitehead Cabin, at Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

In Appalachian parlance, a cove means a valley, but Cades Cove is far more than that. One of the most popular destinations in the Tennessee section of…

Llamas resting and eating after carrying supplies to the top of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mt LeConte (6593ft) is the park’s third-highest peak and one of its most familiar sights, visible from practically every viewpoint. The only way to get to…

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States, North America

Cable Mill Historic Area

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To get bread on the table, early residents of Cades Cove first had to mill their grains and corn. Above all other staples, corn was the most important…

Looking South From Clingmans Dome over mountain range

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

‘On top of Old Smoky’ is Clingmans Dome (elevation 6643ft), the park’s highest peak. At the summit, a steep, half-mile paved trail leads to an observation…

Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the park's most picturesque 19th-century buildings, the Mingus Mill is a turbine-powered mill that still grinds wheat and corn much as it has since…

Mountain Farm Museum

Mountain Farm Museum

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, this excellent collection of historic buildings evokes life on a typical farmstead of the late 19th century…

Fontana Dam

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Built in the early 1940s to provide power for America's industrial needs during WWII, Fontana is the tallest dam east of the Rockies. At 2365ft wide, it's…

Parson Branch Road

Parson Branch Road

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This 8-mile-long road is permanently closed to motorized traffic, though it's open to mountain bikers and walkers, who can enjoy some serene forest views…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

From hiking to kayaking, here are the very best activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Best Places to Visit

East Tennessee has many wonderful small communities to explore. Here's our pick of the best gateway towns to stay in on your next Smoky Mountains vacation.

Best Time to Visit

Wildflowers, snow-capped mountains or fall foliage? Let the natural elements guide you to the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Things to Know

From packing tips to what needs to be booked in advance, here's everything you need to know before going to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Transportation

Our top tips for navigating the two main gateways to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Day Trips

Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.

Traveling with Kids

Child-friendly hikes, firefly-filled adventures and a quirky gateway town awaits on this family break.

Best Road Trips

With charming towns and amazing scenery, here are the best road trips to and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.