Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
The national park, in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, encompasses 800 square miles of which 95 percent are forested. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal resources, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of American pioneer culture, and the depth and integrity of the wilderness sanctuary within its boundaries, it is one of the largest protected areas in the east.
For more in-depth information
Visit Our Electronic Visitor Center(Please note:
Some sections of our Electronic Visitor Center are outdated. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Watch for our new, completely redesigned site coming soon!!!)VISITATION:
The most visited national park in the National Park System, with nine million visitors a year. The peak months are June to August and October during spectacular autumn color. Lowest visitation occurs in winter months, November to February, and early spring.
LOCATION:
North Carolina, Tennessee
ADDRESS:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
TELEPHONE:
(423) 436-1200
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
The park is open year-round. Visitor centers at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee are open all year, except Christmas Day. Cades Cove Visitor Center has limited winter hours.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Elevations in the park range from 800 feet to 6,643 feet and topography affects local weather. Temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops. Annual precipitation averages 65 inches in the lowlands to 88 inches in the high country. Spring often brings unpredictable weather, particularly in higher elevations. Summer is hot and humid, but more pleasant in higher elevations. Fall has warm days and cool nights and is the driest period, and frosts occur starting in late September. Winter is generally moderate, but extreme conditions occur with increasing elevation.
DIRECTIONS:
Several major highways lead to the Park. The following routes provide access to the three main entrances. In Tennessee: 1)From I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN Route 66 South, and continue to U.S. 441 South. Follow U.S. 441 to Park. 2) From I-40 in Knoxville - Exit 386B U.S. Highway 129 South to Alcoa/Maryville. At Maryville proceed on U.S. 321 North through Townsend. Continue straight on TN Highway 73 into Park. In North Carolina: From I-40, take U.S. Route 19 West through Maggie Valley. Proceed to U.S. 441 North at Cherokee into the Park. From Atlanta and points south: follow U.S. 441 and 23 North. U.S. 441 leads to the Park.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: the nearest major airport in Tennessee (McGhee-Tyson, TYS) is Alcoa, 45 miles west of Gatlinburg. North Carolina's, Asheville Airport is 60 miles east of the park. No train or bus service accesses the Park.
In Park: personal vehicle, limited trolley service from Gatlinburg.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
No entrance fee. Fees charged at developed campgrounds and for certain special programs.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Centers/Exhibits:
Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, TN, is open year-round and offers an orientation program and natural history exhibits. Oconaluftee Visitor Center, near Cherokee, NC, is also open year-round and its exhibits focus on mountain life of the late 1800s. Adjacent to the visitor center is the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of historic farm buildings. Cades Cove Visitor Center, near Townsend, TN, (closed in winter), sits among preserved historic buildings representing isolated farming communities of the 1800s.
Trails, Roads:
More than 800 miles of trails provide opportunities ranging from ten-minute saunters on quiet walkways to week-long adventures deep in the forest. There are about 170 miles of paved roads and over 100 miles of gravel roads. The "backroads" offer a chance to escape traffic and enjoy the more remote areas of the park.
Programs/Activities:
During the summer and fall, the park provides regularly scheduled ranger-led interpretive walks and talks, slide presentations, and campfire programs at campgrounds and visitor centers.
Lodging and camping facilities:
LeConte Lodge, accessible only by foot or horseback, sits atop 6,593 Mt. LeConte, the Park's third highest peak. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (423) 429-5704. The lodge is open mid-March to mid-November. A variety of lodging facilities are available in the outlying communities.
Frontcountry Campgrounds: There are ten developed campgrounds. Cades Cove in Tennessee and Smokemont in North Carolina are open year round. The other campgrounds are generally open from late March April to early November. Camping fees range from $10.00 to $15.00 per night.
Backcountry Campsites: Backcountry camping is free but requires a permit. Most campsites use self-registration at visitor centers or ranger stations, but shelters and rationed sites require reservations. Reservations can be made 30 days in advance by calling (423) 436-1231, 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. daily.
Food/supplies:
There are no food facilities in the park. Numerous convenience stores and restaurants establishments are located in outlying communities.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
Horse rentals are available in season at five horse stables in the park in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible facilities, including restrooms, are located at the three major campgrounds, Cades Cove and Elkmont in Tennessee and Smokemont in North Carolina, visitor centers, and many picnic areas. Campsites reservations can be made for the period May 15 to October 31 by calling Destinet at 1(800) 365-CAMP. A five-foot wide paved and level accessibility trail, Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail, is a quarter mile south of Sugarlands Visitor Center. Specially designed communications media, including tactile and wayside exhibits, large print brochures and a cassette version are part of the trail.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Camping, hiking, picnicking, sightseeing, fishing, auto touring, horseback riding, nature viewing, and photographic opportunities abound.
For information on archeology, visit SEAC
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Plan your visit to the park by stopping at one of the visitor centers or writing ahead to obtain information. Also be sure to acquire safety information/tips pertaining to your planned activity, especially if you are not familiar with the area.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
The park holds a variety of annual events, including Old Timers' Day, storytelling, a quilt show, Women's Work, Mountain Life Festival, sorghum molasses and apple butter making, as well as living history demonstrations.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
In winter during hazardous weather conditions, the two main roads will close. Do not leave valuables in your car. Adhere to Park rules and regulations.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
There are many and quite a variety of visitor attractions. Contact area Chambers of Commerce.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a year-round residential environmental education center in the Smokies which offers workshops and programs for everyone, from grade school children to Eldershostel groups and teachers. Programs may include hiking, slide shows on flora and fauna, mountain music, living history, and wildlife demonstrations. A fee is charged. For more information, call (423) 448-6709.
The Smoky Mountain Field School offers weekend workshops, hikes, and adventures for adults and families throughout the year. In cooperation with the National Park Service and University of Tennessee, experts on Smoky Mountain plants, wildlife, and history lead programs. A fee is charged. For more information call (423) 974-0150.
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Organized in 1993 to help the park through direct funding and outside financial support, the Friends operate under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. Dedicated to restoring, preserving and enhancing the park, their partnership provides needed help in the current fiscal atmosphere. To contact Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park write them at 134 Court Avenue, Sevierville, TN 37862, or call (423) 436-2428.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Obtain a $.25 copy of the park newspaper, Smokies Guide. It offers current information on interpretive programs and services. It is available at visitor centers and campgrounds or write Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. A sales publication catalog listing books, videos, maps, guides, and more is available from Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association by writing 115 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Items are also available for sale at the visitor centers. Visit our Online Bookstore.