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 Gatlinburg — roughly 7.5 mi (12.1 km) out, about 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | 7.5 mi (12.1 km) | 20 min |
| 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 |
| Seymour | 21.7 mi (35 km) | 49 min |
| Wildwood | 22.5 mi (36.1 km) | 51 min |
| Sylva | 24.5 mi (39.4 km) | 54 min |
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.
Parks you could combine with it
- 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, and the closest town of any size is Gatlinburg — about 20 min away.
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.