great-smoky-mountains | TN | Find park

A thick layer of frost covers the fields, trees, and mountains in Cades Cove.

Wintertime brings a quiet beauty to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gold and red fall colors fill the valleys while snow coats the mountain tops.

In spring and fall, weather in the foothills can be pleasant, while snow and cold rule on the mountain tops.

Wisps of fog hang over the forests in the mountains.

The park gets its name from mists that often rise like smoke from the mountains.

A hillside in the forest covered with white trillium flowers

Wildflowers, such as these white trillium, can be found blooming from February through November in the park.

Bright gold and red leaves shine through the fog in a forest.

Fall leaf season is one of the busiest times of year in the park.

Tombstones stand in front of a white, wooden church on a foggy morning.

Historic buildings such as churches, gristmills, barns, and homes allow visitors to get a feel for life in the mountains before the national park was created.

Rhododendron bushes line the banks of a stream filled with large boulders.

Abundant rainfall means lush forests and beautiful stream scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Physical Address:

107 Park Headquarters Road

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Mailing Address:

107 Park Headquarters Road

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

contact-details

Phone Number: (865)436-1200 Voice

Email Address: GRSM_Smokies_Information@nps.gov
Description: Our information email inbox is monitored but receives a high volume of inquiries. Each message is read but it may take several weeks to receive an answer and we may not respond to every email. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!

park designation:National Park

Directions:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Primary roads are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, weather permitting. This includes Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road. Secondary roads are closed seasonally.

Weather Information:

Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.