Last updated: October 29, 2025
Place
Kuwohi Observation Tower
Kristina Plaas Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Significance:
Lookout, Modern NPS architecture/Mission 66
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Overview
Located atop Kuwohi, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 feet, the Kuwohi Observation Tower is a prominent destination. When weather permits, it offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep but paved half-mile walk to the tower at the top.
Clouds, precipitation, and cold temperatures are common at Kuwohi. Temperatures at can be 10-20 degrees Farenheit cooler than in the surrounding lowlands. Dress in layers and be sure to bring a jacket, even in summer.
History
Kuwohi Observation Tower (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Observation Tower), was built in 1959. It stands 45 feet tall and features a distinctive 375-foot-long ramp that allows visitors to gradually ascend to the observation platform. The tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a significant example of National Park Service Modern architecture, a style that marked a departure from the traditional rustic "parkitecture" aesthetic.
The tower also holds historical importance as part of the Mission 66 program—a major National Park Service initiative from 1955 to 1966 that transformed park planning, management, and architecture. While the program led to the construction of hundreds of buildings and structures, only nine observation towers were built. Kuwohi Observation Tower is one of these rare structures and served as the prototype for two later Mission 66 towers: Look Rock Tower in the Great Smoky Mountains and Shark Valley Observation Tower in the Everglades.
Check out the view from a webcam.
How to Get There
Hike to Kuwohi on a steep, short, paved trail from Kuwohi parking area.