Great Smoky Mountains

Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains straddle the Tennessee-North Carolina border and are the most visited national park in the United States. Their misty blue ridges, old-growth forests, and diverse wildlife make them the heart of the southern Appalachians.

The Smokies straddle the busiest road trip corridor in the eastern United States. The Blue Ridge Parkway leads into the park from the north, Newfound Gap Road crosses it between Tennessee and North Carolina, and Cades Cove offers a classic loop drive.

Add Great Smoky Mountains to a national parks road trip, plan a wider US road trip, or read the virtual road trip guide before you hit the road.

Start your trip here

What to see at Great Smoky Mountains

• Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park.
• Newfound Gap Road, crossing the park between the two states.
• Historic log cabins and grist mills in Cades Cove.
• Synchronous fireflies in late spring.

Start your trip at Great Smoky Mountains

Click the button above to open the America road trip simulator with your journey starting at Great Smoky Mountains. You will appear on the map near this place and can drive from there in any direction, or let the road lead you across the region. The simulator shows the local radio, encyclopedia articles, news, and weather as you travel, and progress is saved in your browser between visits.