There's a reason millions of people from around the world visit the awe-inspiring wilderness of the Smokey Mountains each year. With breathtaking scenic overlooks, waterfall-lined trails, winding bike paths, and numerous sites representing authentic Americana, the Smokey's will draw you in and keep you exploring.
Cades Cove
If you're looking for a true Smokey Mountain experience, it doesn't get better than Cades Cove. Whether it's a relaxing walk through the grassy valley, a bike ride through the terrain, or you're excited to see the historic buildings and wildlife, Cades Cove will give you the full experience and first-hand view of what it would have been like to live in the Smokeys when it all began.
The Cades Cove Loop Generally takes about 3-4 hours to complete, with most visitors spending the day exploring, often starting the day by taking the self-guided auto tour, then stopping for a picnic in a grassy area to enjoy the scenery and observe the wildlife, then finish your day with a short hike, bike ride, or more exploring through the cove.
Pro-Tip: Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday from mid-Spring through late Summer, so pedestrians and cyclists can experience Cades Cove without motor vehicles.
Clingmans Dome
The highest peak in the Smoky Mountains is Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet. This is also one of the easiest peaks to get to. To get to Clingmans Dome, take Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome Road, then park in the lot at the end of the road.
From there, you can walk the 0.5 mile trail to the top of the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. This trail is paved, but it’s also steep. At the top of the observation tower, you’ll get to take in beautiful panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains. On a clear day, visibility can be over 100 miles!
Newfound Gap
Covering 33 miles by vehicle, Newfound Gap is known as one of the most popular scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains, allowing visitors on a quick trip the opportunity to experience a little bit of everything the park has to offer. It has an elevation of 5,056 feet, making it the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Along Newfound Gap Road, you can experience a variety of forests including cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forests including the evergreen spruce-fir forest.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is home to about 65 species of mammals, over 200 kinds of birds, more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians, and 67 native fish species! It’s also been penned the “Salamander Capital of the World” because of the 30 salamander species that call the Smokies home. A few of the best spots to see the local wildlife are Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Cataloochie Valley.
Pro-Tip: Get there early for the morning bustle of the local flora and fauna and bring binoculars!
Stunning Waterfalls
Some favorite sights in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the waterfalls. There are more than 100 waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, some you can hike to, and some you can drive to. The Smoky Mountains have two main ingredients for plenty of waterfalls: rain and an elevation gradient. The ample rainfall falls down mountainsides, sometimes dropping more than a mile in elevation!
A short list of must-see falls are Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Abrams Falls, Ramsey Falls, Rainbow Falls, Meigs Falls, and The Sinks.
