National Park · Tennessee & North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most-visited national park in the U.S.
StatesTennessee & North Carolina
Best seasonSpring & fall
Don’t missSunrise from Clingmans Dome
TerrainMisty ridges, forest & waterfalls
The Smokies are misty blue ridges straddling the Tennessee–North Carolina line — wildflowers, waterfalls, historic cabins, and more biodiversity than any other U.S. park. Spring and fall are peak; it hikes nearly year-round.
What to see
- Clingmans Dome
- Cades Cove loop
- Alum Cave to Mt LeConte
- Newfound Gap Road
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Plan around it
Check the park’s official site for current entrance fees, timed-entry or permits, road and seasonal closures before you go.