Great Smoky Mountains National Park • NC,TN

Wisps of fog hang over the forests in the mountains.

A hillside in the forest covered with white trillium flowers

A clear sky with a vast snowy mountain scene.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

The Smokies receives snow periodically throughout the winter, mostly at higher elevations.
NPS / Bob Carr

Wintertime brings a quiet beauty to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Kristina Plaas

Abundant rainfall means lush forests and beautiful stream scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Danielle Austen, Artist-in-Residence 2015

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

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.
Kristina Plaas

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

A person handing a parking tag to another person beside a green parking tag kiosk.

A parking tag is required to park for longer than 15 minutes.

A gravel road surrounded by bright green trees with sun shining through the canopy

Know the status of the park's roads, facilities, and trails before you go.

A mountain view from underneath a rocky overhang near trees.

Learn about the many areas of the park and plan ahead for an enjoyable trip.

A ranger standing outside a visitor center helping a visitor by showing them a map.

The Smokies most frequently asked questions.

An orange tent in a campsite with a picnic table surrounded by green trees

You can choose from 10 developed campgrounds or head into the backcountry. Your adventure awaits!

A hiker's feet resting on a rock at a mountain overlook with some fog and clouds.

Feel the cool spray of a waterfall. Camp under the stars. Explore a historic mill. There's plenty to see and do in the park!

A bull elk standing in front of a field.

Elk can often be seen in the early morning and late evening in open areas around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and in Cataloochee Valley.

Two black bear cubs nestle with their mother

Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution!

A sweeping mountain view with evergreen trees in the foreground. Left frame shows a paved walkway.

Kuwohi name restored to the highest peak (formerly Clingmans Dome).

A paved road, fence, and field in the foreground with rolling mountains on the horizon.

A scenic valley surrounded on all sides by mountains south of Townsend, Tennessee. An 11-mile, one-way loop encircles the valley.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone:

(865)436-1200

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