Top 5 Places To Explore in the Great Smoky Mountains

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Don’t miss these top 5 places to explore in 2023. From scenic views to wildlife encounters, you’ll find something for everyone.

[{"selector":"#anim-a9072feb-5b4d-4847-907a-1f8e0af052d2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.21002829586277%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c61be845-edd8-450d-9217-c42251a791bc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9434fad9-ee81-453c-a566-2166fe8852eb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 128.81447%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Great Smoky Mountains are a natural wonder that attracts millions of visitors every year. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or culture, you’ll find it here.

[{"selector":"#anim-92c133b3-d791-470f-9a21-c7951fe9f048 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.012762657529855%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa1dce2f-26a4-4f1f-ab19-0d7738508093","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf57f81f-c320-4376-b8cb-f61e2752d8b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.37906%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Cades Cove

[{"selector":"#anim-3aae74c1-6525-4044-a419-9bc15fb5eb0f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.04101542500616%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8393e215-1e73-4c17-9f00-f3f0b9a22330","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b93e931c-b176-426b-b0b5-ca25a0f073d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.47573%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c0c81d61-ed11-4ccb-b11d-bbeac266c0b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f344477-9808-4377-8415-b64a2ccdcc72","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.58958%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f79a5052-ca9f-4be5-af1b-f1d86d56179f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30333425-d8c8-4468-838b-82f3d4cf4fb6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.0347%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Most popular destinations in the park, draws 2 million visitors annually. Explore via an 11-mile loop, trails to waterfalls, and scenic overlooks by foot, bike, or car.

Clingmans Dome

[{"selector":"#anim-920e35c7-e8e5-4136-acba-9898455ca1bf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(22.309682315143345%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-741098af-286c-48aa-8b77-57e795dcd508","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-78a03fd4-7f61-464d-a4f4-5d68c1c5cb9d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.53399%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e8b5e5e-05e7-4bcc-9375-eeebb6a1c192","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82968d7d-ae71-4959-a66d-cb149575ec51","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f387e6d0-27be-4782-8ef2-a98671d21a58","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6e7ac8c-f8dc-4c16-8f64-d9850b44b433","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Clingmans Dome, park's highest point at 6,643 feet, accessible by car April to November. A half-mile hike on a paved trail leads to the observation tower.

Newfound Gap

[{"selector":"#anim-86e5f22d-c832-4828-af17-5f54ae6e8776 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.04101542500616%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7365bcff-7176-4a85-9efd-ffce97d3ef77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-41a9aaa4-44c9-4dd5-ba45-db3345aa55d9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c39aa1a1-78d2-4fae-9543-52452685e281","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dac00502-4ae7-4058-9842-d4f59f44ff91","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0fb6730e-50db-4f03-b59a-0bdad841c28e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee9bac52-01cc-4c91-85a9-48f05cbed004","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Newfound Gap, a 5,046 feet mountain pass, features a monument and observation point with spectacular mountain views. You can access the Appalachian Trail from here.

Cataloochee Valley

[{"selector":"#anim-1b8ca7cb-31a4-49cf-a9d8-81ca0e27a95a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(23.397433144115944%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c2ab109-c9a3-40d8-be9a-d57f45a333b2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac9dbfe4-00ab-443d-8cf9-3437c735848e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d52c9b1b-da0b-48d1-9610-a47c3c37f361","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02b9d0b5-0ed6-47eb-94ba-2fb33b553ff5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.98372%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd8b9079-9def-46f2-ab44-283e82caeb6a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-37575f1e-cc62-4763-8960-965a907914f7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.51104%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In the remote, peaceful Cataloochee Valley, one of the largest elk populations reintroduced in 2001 can be observed grazing at dawn and dusk. Accessible year-round by gravel road.

Laurel Falls

[{"selector":"#anim-bc1f6517-df73-4ab6-bf2f-f21fce5085a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0.01342422612980575%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6eae96d8-2f3f-4eb6-8ccd-380d12f3c53c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a99e99f6-789d-44bd-9197-655eddd50df9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-897bbc41-4b27-486d-a027-73a04c68b6d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a83324c7-1b1d-421d-a2db-c27dd11698c6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81894788-7bef-4eac-b416-c8a2f55e6b7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f22618d-c2b9-44bb-927a-0ffac34ac50a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Laurel Falls, a popular 80-foot waterfall, is named for blooming mountain laurel. The name comes from the mountain laurel that blooms around the falls in May and June.

How to Have a Blast in Gatlinburg: 20 Fun and Unforgettable Things to Do

[{"selector":"#anim-c405f09a-478d-472d-972f-40568cb0bded [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.937499914669296%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59b97726-036f-45a6-8396-649c363e0192","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf367ef4-e732-4ca2-89ef-139e02e2d445","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.94685%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-debdcb4d-9c76-4aaa-8962-28b6ef49cc5c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.2)","scale(0.98)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":3}] Scribbled Arrow Found this valuable? Please share with others. Thanks For Reading! Learn more