• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Mountains

Mount Le Conte is the park's third highest peak.
Mount Le Conte is the park's third highest peak.
 
ELEVATIONS IN THE PARK
The crest of the Great Smokies runs in an unbroken chain of peaks that rise more than 5,000 feet for over 36 miles. Elevations in the park range from 876 to 6,643 feet.


The Top 10 Peaks (elevation in feet)
Clingmans Dome - 6,643
Mount Guyot - 6,621
Mount Le Conte (High Top) - 6,593
Mount Buckley - 6,580
Mount Love - 6,420
Mount Chapman - 6,417
Old Black - 6,370
Luftee Knob - 6,234
Mount Kephart - 6,217
Mount Collins - 6,118


Elevations of Popular Destinations (in feet)
Andrews Bald - 5,920
Charlies Bunion - 5,565
Balsam Mountain Campground - 5,310
Newfound Gap - 5,046
Alum Cave Bluffs - 4,970
Spence Field - 4,920
Chimney Tops - 4,800
Rainbow Falls - 4,326
Ramsey Cascades - 4,275
Grotto Falls - 3,770
Cataloochee Valley - 2,680
Laurel Falls - 2,600
Smokemont Campground - 2,198
Elkmont Campground - 2,150
Little Greenbrier School - 2,070
Oconaluftee Visitor Center - 2,040
Cades Cove Visitor Center - 1,716
Fontana Dam - 1,709
Abrams Falls - 1,473
Sugarlands Visitor Center - 1,462
Abrams Creek at park boundary - 876

  • Auto Touring Auto Touring

    Auto Touring is a popular way to explore the park. Read More

  • Weather Forecast Weather Forecast

    Current weather forecasts are available by phone and online. Read More

  • Download a Smokies Trip Planner Download a Smokies Trip Planner

    Information about favorite destinations, popular activities, and a park map Read More

  • Wildlife Watching Wildlife Watching

    Open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee are good places to view wildlife. Read More

Did You Know?

The park is named for the misty clouds that hang over the mountains.

The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees. On the high peaks of the Smokies, an average of 85 inches of rain falls each year, qualifying these upper elevation areas as temperate rain forests.