Great Smoky Mountains National Park Attractions

Top Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Attractions

Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Top Attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Visitor Centres
GSMA Store Locations and HoursCades Cove Visitor Center HoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 am - 4:30 pmFebruary 9:00 am - 5:00 pmMarch 9:00 am - 6:00 pmApril – Aug. 9:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. – Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 9:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 9:00 am - 4:30 pmLocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.Special ProgramsRanger-led programs are conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for times.ExhibitsIndoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture. Includes Cable Mill, a grist mill which operates spring through fall, the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures. Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. Oconaluftee Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas DayJan. - April 8:30 am - 4:30 pmMay 8:30 am - 5:00 pmJune – Aug. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmSept.- Oct. 8:30 am - 6:00 pmNov. – Dec. 8:30 am - 4:30 pmLocation1194 Newfound Gap RoadCherokee , NC 28719Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US-441Special ProgramsRanger-led programs conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for location and times.ExhibitsThe adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station. Sugarlands Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.Jan. – Feb. 8:00 am - 4:30 pmMarch 8:00 am - 5:00 pmApril - May 8:00 am - 6:00 pmJune – Aug. 8:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. – Oct. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 8:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 8:00 am - 4:30 pmLocation 1420 Little River RoadGatlinburg TN 37738Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441Special Programs Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for locations and times. Exhibits Free admission to 20-minute film about the park. Extensive natural history exhibits. Available Facilities Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station. Gatlinburg Welcome Center - DowntownHours Open every day except Christmas Day.10:00 am - 6:00 pmLocation520 ParkwayGatlinburg TN 37738At traffic light #3 on the parkway in downtown GatlinburgAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.Gatlinburg Welcome Center - On the Spur between Pigeon Forge and GatlinburgHoursOpen every day except Christmas DayApril - October 8:30 am - 7:00 pmNovember - March 8:30 am - 5:30 pmLocation1011 Banner RoadGatlinburg TN 377382 miles outside of Gatlinburg on US-441 SouthAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.Sevierville Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.9:00 am – 6:00 pmLocation3099 Winfield Dunn ParkwayKodak, TN 377641.25 miles from Interstate 40/81 on Highway US-66 near SeviervilleAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville information. Public restrooms and telephones.Townsend Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Jan. - May 9:00 am - 5:00 pmJune – Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNov.- Dec. 9:00 am - 5:00 pmLocation7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy (U.S. 321)Townsend TN 37882Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Townsend and local area information. Public restrooms and telephones.Historic Grist MillsCable Mill in Cades CoveHoursOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.ExhibitsWater-powered grist mill.Mingus Mill near OconalufteeOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.ExhibitsTurbine-powered grist mill.Tremont Institute
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • kimberlyggg
    New York City, NY3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best view in the great smokies!! It’s a bit far from where we were staying at, but definitely worth the drive. It was chilly so make sure to bring some warm clothing! ❤️ Will visit again!
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Timothy D
    Gray, LA182 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome drive on the Motor Nature Trail. Beautiful winding and narrow road thru the park. Didn't see any wildlife, and part of this was closed for the winter. See worth the effort.
    Written 10 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas D
    Blairsville, GA3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The views were amazing. It wasn't too crowded and we stopped at quite a few of the attractions. A very relaxing and pleasant experience.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PattyMcC7
    Landisville, PA244 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great hike along the bolder-filled creek. Quiet, with just the water sounds and mini waterfalls every now and then. Sturdy bridges too. The parking lot was jammed at 8 am on a Monday with people parking offsite and walking to trailhead. We came back at 3 PM and there were plenty of spots in the lot. We only went to the cave (2.7 one way) so it worked for us.
    Written 26 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, NJ1,046 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a beautiful hike (a lot of it is uphill on the way there). You should not take food as bears can be out (we saw them elsewhere in the park). The waterfall was pretty, although there was not so much water. Again as per my other reviews of this National Park, the parking is very minimal.
    Written 29 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, NJ1,046 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful twisty road off the Blue Ridge Parkway with amazing scenic views. We were driving from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Pkwy to the Smokey Mountains - this was the perfect way to do that and to see amazing scenery on the way.
    Written 28 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MidwestMegOC
    Chicago, IL6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a great destination hike for my college-aged son and me. It wasn't too long including the .5 mile additional trek from the car to the trailhead. The weather was perfect with a light jacket and short-sleeved shirt. There were many young families on the hike which was fine. However, I wouldn't recommend bringing a baby or toddler in a stroller. The terrain is not conducive to that at all. The ones that did were struggling quite a bit. This is truly an uphill hike almost the entire way so be ready for the incline. Obviously, it was much easier on the way back.
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JoeGetIt
    Hinckley, OH46 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was the second hardest hike I have done so far. First was the Grand Canyon South Kahbib trail. We hiked from the Alum Cave Trail to the Summit of Mount LeConte in about 3 and a half hours. It was super foggy and the lodge area looked so creepy, it was awesome! So our experience was a little different than the sunny day ones. The clouds were at eye level and the rain was coming right at you. The clouds would blow with the wind and whi around the buildings. We pushed further up to the very top called Cliff Tops and the scenery was sublime. this is a must-hike for those who want a challenge and to summit a mountain without too much climbing.
    Written 22 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mr. Eats out too much
    Delavan, WI119 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    5 star view and plenty or bear activity. The path is very windy and narrow but once ya get there it’s worth the wait. We saw lots of fall colors and 4 bears, just be aware there are not very many spots to stop and there is only one bathroom at the very end of the loop. Plan accordingly! There is also a cool little mill and a locally owned shop there. It is a very narrow one way road so it does get backed up at times, but that was alright with us.
    Written 17 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dbinhou7511
    Houston, TX1,652 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very busy Visitors Center on the west side of the park in Tennessee. Plan on extra time for the traffic. Bathroom stop if you need it. Nice displays.
    Written 16 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sunshine07
    Monroe, NC4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is unlike any regular visitor center. Live Elk come through every day! The area is beautiful with walking trails by a river. The center has an amazing educational display with lots of audio vieual displays and artifacts.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Timothy D
    Gray, LA182 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's a beautiful scenic drive in the Foothills of the smoky mountains. Good chance to see wildlife as you drive. Definitely recommend.
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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