Great Smoky Mountains National Park: planning guide
Forested Appalachian mountains on the Tennessee–North Carolina line. Busy, green, and known for misty ridges and wildlife.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in TN / NC, United States. The nearest town is Pigeon Forge — roughly 12.3 mi (19.8 km) out, about 33 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: March through May, then September through November. Shoulder season: February and December.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Full seasonal breakdown for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Forge | 12.3 mi (19.8 km) | 33 min |
| Bryson City | 13.6 mi (21.9 km) | 35 min |
| Cherokee | 16.2 mi (26.1 km) | 40 min |
| Sevierville | 17.8 mi (28.7 km) | 43 min |
| Sylva | 24.5 mi (39.4 km) | 54 min |
| Robbinsville | 24.6 mi (39.5 km) | 54 min |
| Cullowhee | 29.3 mi (47.2 km) | 1 hr 2 min |
| Franklin | 31 mi (49.9 km) | 1 hr 5 min |
Before you go
Great Smoky Mountains National Park sells a parking tag on Recreation.gov, which is not an entrance fee. Driving through without parking needs none.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
| Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| The Great Smoky Mountains Firefly Viewing Lottery | Guided tour | Timed ticket |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abram's Creek | Reservable | — |
| Anthony Creek Horse Camp | Reservable | — |
| Appalachian Clubhouse | Reservable | — |
| Balsam Mountain | Reservable | — |
| Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park) | Reservable | — |
| Big Creek Group Camp | Reservable | — |
| Big Creek Horse Camp | Reservable | — |
| Cades Cove | Reservable | — |
| Cades Cove Group | Reservable | — |
| Cataloochee | Reservable | — |
| Cataloochee Group Camp | Reservable | — |
| Cataloochee Horse Camp | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits
Official Great Smoky Mountains National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits close enough to Mammoth Cave National Park, Congaree National Park, and New River Gorge National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 179 mi (288 km) | 4 hr 41 min |
| Congaree National Park | 202 mi (325 km) | 5 hr 14 min |
| New River Gorge National Park | 218 mi (351 km) | 5 hr 37 min |
Long trails through this park
Appalachian Trail crosses Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The published corridor is GA–ME.
- Appalachian Trail — official trail site.
Parks close by
- Mammoth Cave National Park
A long limestone cave system in Kentucky. Ranger tours cover the passages; the surface is rolling woods.
- Congaree National Park
Old-growth floodplain forest in South Carolina. Boardwalks through tall trees and seasonal flooded ground.
- New River Gorge National Park
A deep river gorge in West Virginia with cliffs, forest, and a big steel arch bridge. Hiking, climbing, and rafting are common.
- Shenandoah National Park
A long Blue Ridge park in Virginia with Skyline Drive along the crest. Overlooks, hardwood forest, and day hikes.
Common questions
Where is Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits in TN / NC, United States. Pigeon Forge, about 12.3 mi (19.8 km) away — roughly 33 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Generally March through May, then September through November, with February and December quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 30 campgrounds at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.