America’s most popular national park is calling! Here’s everything you need to know to plan a perfect weekend getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Heard about the Great Smoky Mountains, but don’t know much about them? You’re not alone. Maybe the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on your bucket list because it’s the most visited national park in the U.S.
But that’s all you know.
Maybe your friends traveled there on family vacations as kids. Their stories make you imagine twisty roads through a forest full of waterfalls. Curls of smoke twisting up out of cabin chimneys. Days spent in the woods climbing fallen trees like balance beams and trying to catch slippery salamanders in the creek. Evenings around a fire listening to the twang of a bango, the sweet stickiness of burnt marshmallow clinging to your lip.
It’s no wonder you’re yearning to go.
But you don’t have any of the details you need to actually plan a trip. Don’t worry boo, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to start planning a perfect weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains:
What state are the Great Smoky Mountains in?
The Great Smoky Mountains are a part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, a long mountain chain that runs from southeastern Canada all the way down to central Alabama. The Smoky Mountain section of the range is located in Tennessee and North Carolina, which is where the national park is too.
Where is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The national park straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The northern entrance of the national park is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the southern entrance is in Cherokee, North Carolina.
How big is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park protects an endless forest teeming with wildlife in an area of Tennessee and North Carolina that’s more than 800 square miles – larger than New York and Los Angeles combined.
What are the Great Smoky Mountains famous for?
The Smokies get their name for the layer of foggy air that settles into the dips along the mountain ridge but disappears by mid-morning. Besides the “smoke,” the Great Smoky Mountains is known for its old-growth forests filled with streams, waterfalls and wildlife.
It’s the number one spot in the world to see salamanders – there are more than 30 species hiding under rocks and leaves near creeks – and you’re practically guaranteed to see a black bear. You can also spot elk, wild turkeys, deer and coyotes.
The park is ideal if you like road trips, too. There are 384 miles of road to travel in the park and three auto tours (driving loops) that wind through especially scenic portions. Throughout the park are historic buildings like a one-room schoolhouse, a mill, log homes and historic churches that give you an idea of what mountain life was like in the early 1800s.
What are the best things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains?
There are lots of fun things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains, whether you’re the outdoorsy type or not. Here are a few:
- Horseback ride through the woods
- Hike to waterfalls
- Sip moonshine
- Spot black bears
- Kick back in a cozy cabin
What is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains?
The best time to explore the Great Smoky Mountains is summer and fall. But that’s also when it’s most crowded. The park service says that you can expect loads of people from July 1 through August 15 and on weekends in October (for the beautiful fall colors).
From May through October, you can expect daytime temperatures to be at least in the 70’s or higher. In July and August, daytime temperatures can reach the 90’s. It’s common to get afternoon rain showers in the spring and summer, while fall is the driest time of the year.
I recommend a June or September trip. It’ll still be warm enough to dip your toes into the mountain streams and you might avoid some of the peak crowds.
Also, if you’re planning on going in June, look into seeing the synchronous fireflies. During a two-week mating season, the fireflies here all light up at the same time and put on an amazing show.
This is one of few places on earth to see synchronized fireflies! But it’s super popular, so you’ll have to apply to be in the lottery and see if you win a spot.
How long does it take to drive through the Smoky Mountains?
The drive from the northern Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the southern North Carolina side takes about an hour.
The Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) is a straight shot through the park from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. To avoid park traffic, hit the road before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
How many days do you need in the Smoky Mountains?
A three-day weekend is ideal for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You might want an extra day though if you plan on going to one of the area’s amusement parks like Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Where should you stay when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a lodge, but you can only get to it by hiking in. But there are a TON of cabins to rent in the area. Check out cabins near Gatlinburg. You can also look for cabins in and around Townsend, which is along the northern part of the national park.
Where do you fly into to go to the Smoky Mountains?
McGee Tyson Airport is the nearest major airport to the Smoky Mountains. It’s located just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s about an hour drive from the airport to the northern entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
How do you plan a perfect weekend trip to the Great Smoky Mountains?
Start with the basics of trip planning:
- When do you want to go?
- How long can you stay?
- What do you want to do on vacation?
- Where should you stay?
Find accommodations that are convenient to the activities you want to do in the Great Smoky Mountains – so you don’t waste a lot of time getting from Point A to Point B. This is especially important if you’re on a short vacation.
Also, research the activities that interest you most and organize a loose agenda that help you make the most of your days.
The best option?
Grab my Great Smoky Mountains Weekend Itinerary Guide. It’s your perfect weekend, already mapped out. You don’t have to spend hours pouring over websites, with 30 tabs open stressing about what you should do and how to put it all together.
Get the guide and start getting excited about your trip! You’ll have all the information you need to have an amazing vacation: What to see and do, where to eat and stay, and how to get off the beaten path.
All you have to do is book your accommodations (I recommend some options in the guide), and anything else I tell you to book ahead of time, and you’re good to go. Follow the daily itineraries step-by-step or use them as a backbone for creating your own must-see plan.
It’s going to be a dream weekend.
Happy travels,
P.S. Have you thought about hitting up some of the incredible national parks in the Southwest? If so, you should definitely check out my Epic Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip write-up.
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