Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina, USA. It lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains, situated in the southeastern United States, and is famous for its misty mountains, diverse wildlife, and scenic hiking trails.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Location Map, Gatlinburg / Cherokee, Tennessee & North Carolina
Top Attractions Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Clingmans Dome – Highest peak in the park with an observation tower offering panoramic mountain views.
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – Scenic one-way loop road featuring waterfalls, historic cabins, and hiking trails.
- Cades Cove – Historic valley with wildlife viewing, preserved cabins, and a scenic loop road.
- Laurel Falls – Easy-access trail leading to a beautiful 80-foot waterfall.
- Newfound Gap – Mountain pass offering scenic overlooks and visitor center information.
- Hiking Trails – Extensive network of trails including the Appalachian Trail, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes.
- Wildlife Observation – Opportunities to see black bears, deer, elk, and a variety of bird species.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts
| Official Name | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| Location | Gatlinburg, Tennessee / Cherokee, North Carolina, USA (and surrounding counties in TN & NC) |
| Latitude & Longitude (approximate center) | 35.6° N, 83.5° W |
| Total Area | 522,427 acres (≈ 816 square miles / 2,114 km²) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} |
| Established / Established Date | June 15, 1934 :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Managed By | U.S. National Park Service (NPS) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Region | Southern Appalachian Mountains — border of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina |
| Main Entrances / Gateway Towns | Gatlinburg, TN (north) – Cherokee, NC (south) – also access via Townsend, TN; Cosby, TN; Cataloochee & Wears Valley, TN :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Ancient Appalachian forest & mountain wilderness, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage & historic homesteads, scenic peaks, rivers, waterfalls and hiking trails through temperate rainforest and hardwood forests |
| Sections / Features | High-elevation peaks & ridgelines (e.g. Clingmans Dome, Mount Le Conte, Mount Guyot) – Dense hardwood & spruce-fir forests – Historic homesteads & cultural sites – Numerous streams, waterfalls & river valleys – Hiking trails & backcountry wilderness – Scenic drives / overlooks (e.g. Newfound Gap Road) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Famous Attractions / Features | Clingmans Dome (highest point: 6,643 ft / 2025 m) – Mountain peaks like Mount Le Conte, Mount Guyot – Scenic Newfound Gap Road (connects Gatlinburg & Cherokee) – Historic buildings & Appalachian homesteads – Vast trails network (including part of the Appalachian Trail) – Waterfalls, rivers, lush forests & abundant wildlife including black bears, salamanders & birdlife :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Annual Visitors | 12,191,834 recreational visits (2024) — most-visited national park in the U.S. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Entry Fee / Admission Type | Free — no park entrance fee (standard for this park) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Trail & Recreation Infrastructure | 848 miles of maintained trails (about 150 separate trails), including 74 miles of the Appalachian Trail, 384 miles of roads (238 paved, 146 unpaved), 10 developed campgrounds, 1000+ campsites, 11 picnic areas, 100+ backcountry campsites/shelters :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Flora & Fauna / Biodiversity | One of highest biodiversity areas in North America: 79 vegetation communities, 8 major forest types; documented species: 2,463 plants, 70 mammals, 254 birds, 45 amphibians, 40 reptiles, 76 fish, 3,510 fungi, 12,394 invertebrates; 2,900 miles of streams; many endemic & rare species :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Designation / Conservation Status | Designated International Biosphere Reserve (1976) & UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Park Headquarters Address | 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| Official Website | https://www.nps.gov/grsm |
Distances from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Nearby Landmarks
- Clingmans Dome – 34 km (21.1 mi)
- Cades Cove – 36 km (22.4 mi)
- Newfound Gap – 28 km (17.4 mi)
- Laurel Falls Trail – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Alum Cave Trail – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Mount Le Conte Trailhead – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Greenbrier Entrance – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Elkmont Historic District – 17 km (10.6 mi)
- Fontana Dam – 85 km (52.8 mi)
- Appalachian Trail Access (Newfound Gap) – 28 km (17.4 mi)
- Arrowmont Arts & Crafts Community – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Gatlinburg Space Needle – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center – 40 km (24.9 mi)
- Chimney Tops Trailhead – 18 km (11.2 mi)
- Mingus Mill – 24 km (14.9 mi)
- Ogle Cabin – 35 km (21.7 mi)
- Elkmont Campground – 17 km (10.6 mi)
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