Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Photo: Kristina Plaas / NPS
About Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
Pair it with another park
NCdrive time
TNdrive time
NCdrive time
TNdrive time
KYdrive time
SCdrive time
Driving times from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Blue Ridge Parkway (1 h 46 min), Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (1 h 50 min), Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (2 h 6 min), Obed Wild & Scenic River (2 h 21 min), Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (2 h 35 min), Cowpens National Battlefield (2 h 53 min).