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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Information Centers Outside The Park

The following information centers are located in the communities surrounding the national park. They are staffed by the Great Smoky Mountains Association, a nonprofit park partner that supports scientific and educational programs in the park.

Gatlinburg Welcome Center - On the Spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
Open every day except Christmas Day

April - October 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
November - March 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Location
Located 2 miles outside of Gatlinburg on US-441 South

Available Facilities
Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.


Sevierville Visitor Center
Open every day except Christmas Day.
9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.

Location
Highway US-66 in Sevierville

Available Facilities
Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville information. Public restrooms and telephones.
Townsend Visitor Center
Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
January - May 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
June - October 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
November- December 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location
Townsend, Tennessee, on US-321.

Available Facilities
Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Townsend and local area information. Public restrooms and telephones.
  • 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

  • Black Bears Black Bears

    An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park. 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.