2 Days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See the best of both sides of the park.
FAQs
What to Pack for a Great Smoky Mountains Park Vacation
Bring these things along on your Great Smoky vacation.
Natural Wonders
4 Best Views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
See vistas of multiple states from these vantage points.
Road Trips
Atlanta to Great Smoky Mountains Loop Road Trip
From big-city attractions to America's favorite national park and all the fascinating stops on the way.
Maps
Gateway Towns
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Northern Gateways to Great Smoky
Full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and attractions, the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective.
Itineraries
Best Eco-Friendly Vacation Itinerary at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Experience the best of Great Smoky while traveling sustainably by eating locally grown food, staying at eco-friendly lodges and hiking on gorgeous trails.
Scenic Drives
Cades Cove Scenic Drive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Take a photo tour of the Cades Cove historic community, its log cabins, churches, and grist mill, inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Editors’ Picks
Wildlife
Where Can I See Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Here’s a guide to some of the park’s most beloved animals and where to see them.
5 Things to Know About Great Smoky Mountains Travel Amid COVID-19
Here's everything you need to know about the national parks reopening.
As of Aug. 15, 2021, following the latest science and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to promote staff and visitors’ safety, the NPS is requiring visitors, employees and contractors to wear a mask inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission levels.
Individuals looking to get COVID-19 vaccine can visit vaccines.gov or text their ZIP code to 438829 to find a location close to them and make an appointment.
How to Be an Informed and Mindful Traveler
While the national parks reopening have made us cautiously optimistic about summer travel, we’ve identified 5 essential factors you should consider before you hit the road. And one last thing. Throw your propensity to assume out the window. As we’ve seen during this spring, there are no guarantees that businesses will stay open, virus cases will go down or stay-at-home orders will be a thing of the past.
1. Every state has its own rules that vary dramatically.
Each state has different quarantine orders that vary dramatically from state to state. Within states, orders can even vary from county to county or town to town. For instance, Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened weeks before other national parks.
2. Not everything in the park will be open.
Just because a national park reopens does not mean everything within the park is open. For instance, in Great Smoky, Cataloochee Road and some trails will remain closed for the season. LeConte Lodge reopened in May on a trial basis. And the visitor centers are closed. Be sure to check that the services you need are available. Lastly, avoiding crowds and practicing Leave No Trace principles in the park are more essential now than ever with reduced park staff. We’ve teamed up with organizations and brands across the outdoor industry to help you make smart decisions on recreating to keep yourself and others healthy and to keep access to our beloved public places open. You can read more about how to #RecreateResponsibly.