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! — nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a glance
- States
- North Carolina, Tennessee
- Established
- June 15, 1934
- Size
- 522,427 acres
- 2025 visits
- 11,527,939
- Busiest-park rank
- #1 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is Great Smoky Mountains quiet?
Great Smoky Mountains is busiest in October and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, November is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 11,527,939 recreation visits, the #1 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Great Smoky Mountains open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: October
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains
- Hike Porters Creek Trail1-3 Hours
Porters Creek is a peaceful trail that is filled with history and natural wonders, hike as far as you'd like to explore. If you are up for about a 4-mile roundtrip hike you can visit the beautiful Fern Branch Falls.
Fee Drive 16.6 miles (26.7 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Chilhowee to Walland.
FeePets OKDrive 5.6 miles (9.01 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Cosby to I-40.
FeePets OKDrive 14.75 miles (23.74 km) one-way on Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley.
FeePets OKDrive 11.4 miles (18.3 km) roundtrip on Lakeview Drive.
FeePets OKThe Bradley Fork Trail offers a scenic and diverse outdoor experience, featuring picturesque creeks, seasonal wildflowers, fishing access, horseback riding opportunities, and backcountry camping.
FeeHike 10.9 miles (17.5 km) one-way on Cooper Road Trail.
FeeHike 0.75 miles (1.2 km) roundtrip on Cove Hardwood Trail to explore a forest of giants and wind through a lush mountainside.
Fee
Show all 45 things to doShow fewer
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- FeePets OK
- Fee
- FeePets OK
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
- Fee
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Citizen Science17
- Fishing41
- Fly Fishing15
- Food46
- Freshwater Fishing19
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also camping)14
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Live Music5
- Museum Exhibits36
- Picnicking34
- Road Biking25
- RV Camping28
- Scenic Driving30
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Stargazing39
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Great Smoky Mountains
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.
107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Great Smoky Mountains
- Mammoth Cave National Park183 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Congaree National Park201 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve209 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- Shenandoah National Park342 mi~8 h drive (est.)
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park405 mi~10 h drive (est.)
- Gateway Arch National Park423 mi~10 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Atlanta (137 mi) · Charlotte (153 mi) · Nashville (188 mi) · Louisville (213 mi)
Road trip
Great Smoky Mountains & Mammoth Cave
2 parks, about 183 miles between them (~4 h of driving, estimated).
Great Smoky Mountains is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
FAQ
Great Smoky Mountains, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in November, the quietest shoulder-season month. October is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 45 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Hike Porters Creek Trail, Drive Foothills Parkway (Chilhowee to Walland), Drive Foothills Parkway (Cosby to I-40), Drive Foothills Parkway (Walland to Wears Valley), Drive Lakeview Drive. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Great Smoky Mountains National Park become a national park?
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established as a national park on June 15, 1934.
- What is the closest national park to Great Smoky Mountains?
- Mammoth Cave National Park, about 183 miles away in a straight line (roughly 4 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Great Smoky Mountains National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/grsm.
Park'd · free on iPhone & Android
Been to Great Smoky Mountains? Log it.
Park'd keeps your national parks map, trips, photos and stats in one place on iPhone and Android. Check off Great Smoky Mountains, add the trip, and see how many of the 63 you've got left.
