FAQs

Answers to all your important Great Smoky Mountains National Park vacation questions about wildlife viewing, pets in the park, plus winter and backcountry routes.

Man walking dog on a forest trail

Pets are not allowed on any trails in Great Smoky, except for two - the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail.

A bear stops traffic in Cades Cove. Photo by Edd Prince via Wikimedia Commons

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

West entrance sign for Great Smoky Mountains National Park on of Lakeview Drive near Fontana Dam. Photo by Washuotaku [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Skip the entrance fee for this national park - it's free to enter! Campsites, lodging, and some tours still have a fee.

The Tremont River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Water is everywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although the waterfalls and streams are beautiful, these waters can also be dangerous.

Backpack and hiking boots

How do you pack for the nation’s most visited park? Here are the top 13 items to bring to the park.

Map of location of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North America

Great Smoky is in the eastern part of the United States on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Gatlinburg, TN is the most popular gateway town.