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Read this before you plan your visit to the park.

Park entrance is free but you'll need to pay to park at this national park.

Upgrade your next national park road trip by booking a stay with Harvest Hosts at unique local producers nationwide.

Pros and cons to visiting this mountainous park in every season.

Stay 20 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in this city with no shortage of things to do.

Backpack the trails, paddle a canoe, ski or bike through some of the park’s most incredible scenery while testing your endurance.

From Canton to Waynesville to Maggie Valley, experience North Carolina’s craft beer and spirits scene in Haywood County.

Go hiking with llamas, relax next to a peaceful river or stay in a historic inn near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the park’s boundaries span two states ⎯Tennessee and North Carolina ⎯ giving you a variety of entrance points to access this beautiful area. With lush waterfalls, valleys and mountain views, where should you settle in for the night and camp? 

Fall in love in the Smokies

This spectacular trail literally attracts thousands of hikers a day. But it’s for good reason, says park volunteer Mike Baker.

Set your Smoky Mountain vacation apart by staying at unusual lodging options along the way.

Great Smoky is free every day. Also enjoy five days in 2023 when entrance is free to the other national parks.

In the center of everything.

From farm-to-table dining to theme parks the kids will love, this Tennessee town is your perfect basecamp.

Spend the weekend in beautiful Carter County, Tennessee, north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for amazing outdoor recreation and small town charm.

Have a hot meal up on the mountain, thanks to llamas that make the hike up to the lodge kitchen three times per week.

Hike to the only lodging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Find gorgeous fall colors on these perfect hikes, viewpoints and scenic drives near Waynesville and Maggie Valley, N.C.

Head to the open meadows in Cataloochee Valley.

Learn to cook like a pro and avoid common mistakes when you’re cooking at a campsite.

Elevate your national park vacation when you and your family spend the night at a glamping camp.

The general rule is to stay 50 yards away from bears. Never feed wild animals because it may cause them to lose their fear of humans. Watch this video

With companies like Under Canvas offering incredible glamping opportunities near national parks across America, it’s easier than ever to convince your non-camping friend, spouse or partner to sleep outdoors.

Hint: You won't have to give up the creature comforts of home.

Convenient airports include McGee-Tyson, Asheville Regional Greenville-Spartanburg International and Charlotte Douglas International.

Don't pose too close to wildlife, in waterfalls, rivers and streams, or off the trail. Ouch! Here are suggestions on how to take pain-free photos.

There are more than 100 prominent waterfalls and cascades within the park boundaries. Get out and start checking them off your list. 

Take a cruise on America’s favorite drive through these 3 national park sites linked together.

Get a taste for the trail by hiking the section that bisects the park

From big-city attractions to America's favorite national park and all the fascinating stops on the way.

Find your perfect day hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with our personalized guide. We have included descriptions to give you a sense of what to expect on the trails from a moderate walk to a waterfall to a strenuous hike to the top of a mountain.

From art galleries to theater performances, plan on spending time on the quiet Tennessee side of the park including the towns of Maryville and Townsend.

Bring these things along on your Great Smoky vacation.

Get ready to explore America’s most popular national park with your RV.

Drive up to a classic diner experience right outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tenn. Locals say it’s the best burger in the county.

Do a puzzle, read a book, listen to music or create art.

Here’s a guide to some of the park’s most beloved animals and where to see them.

Learn how to capture stunning night landscape pictures of the stars and Milky Way in this nine-part online photography course.

See Great Smoky Mountains National Park through a local’s eyes on a tour with Pink Adventure Tours