Great Smoky Mountains
Tennessee, North Carolina
Mist-shrouded ridges, wildflowers, and the most-visited national park in the country.
Photos
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Weather & forecast
Highlights
Clingmans Dome
The park’s highest point, with a spiral observation tower.
Cades Cove
A scenic valley loop rich in wildlife and historic buildings.
Newfound Gap
The main crossing of the ridge, straddling Tennessee and North Carolina.
Synchronous Fireflies
A rare early-summer display where fireflies flash in unison.
Famous routes & hikes
Cades Cove Loop Road
A one-way loop through a historic valley—go early for wildlife and lighter traffic.
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte
A varied climb past bluffs and arches to one of the park’s highest summits.
Laurel Falls Trail
A paved trail to a popular 80-foot waterfall.
Practical guidance
Best time to visit
October for fall color; spring for wildflowers. Summer is humid and crowded.
Typical visit
2–3 days
Come prepared
- Start Cades Cove early to beat traffic
- Enter the firefly viewing lottery if visiting in early June
- Check road status—high-elevation roads close in winter
Good to know
- A parking tag is now required for stops over 15 minutes
- Clingmans Dome Road closes in winter
Fun facts
The Smokies are the most-visited national park, with over 12 million visits a year.
The park charges no entrance fee, a condition of the land’s original transfer.
It is one of the most biodiverse parks, with an estimated 19,000+ documented species.