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Great Smoky Mountains Park Vacations in NC

Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park: What to See & Do Near Asheville
 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border, just a short drive from Asheville. As the most-visited national park in the U.S., drawing 11+ million visitors annually, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, history, and wildlife viewing.
 

Why Visit the Great Smoky Mountains?
 

Spanning 520,976 acres, the park is home to rugged mountain peaks exceeding 6,000 feet, historic homesteads, and some of the oldest forests in North America. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, connecting to a vast network of scenic hikes. With 100,000 different plant and animal species, including the park’s most famous residents—black bears—GSMNP is a biodiversity hotspot.
 

Where to Start Your Adventure
 

With so much to see and explore, planning your visit can feel overwhelming. Whether you're looking for scenic drives, waterfalls, historic sites, or hiking trails, our guides below will help you navigate the best experiences in the Smokies. Must-See Highlights:
 

  • Clingmans Dome (The highest point in GSMNP at 6,643 feet)

  • Cades Cove (Historic cabins, wildlife viewing, and an 11-mile scenic loop)

  • Newfound Gap Road (Stunning mountain vistas and Appalachian Trail access)

  • Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (A drive-through experience of waterfalls and historic homesteads)
     

Plan Your Visit
 

Since GSMNP is one of the largest and most diverse national parks, it’s best to plan ahead. Use our detailed guides to explore top hikes, scenic drives, camping options, and must-see landmarks. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drive or a backcountry adventure, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Asheville has something for everyone.

Great Smoky Mountains NC Things to Do

Mountain Farm Museum, Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Mingus Mill

Step back in time as you explore the historic farm buildings at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee.

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Bryson City Lodging: Cabins, B&Bs & Hotels

A beloved French bistro offering comforting dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, this spot exudes romance and charm. Indulge in fresh mussels prepared in various styles, Escargot, the classic Boeuf Bourguignon, and their famous fries.

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Great Smoky & Tsali Mountain Biking, NC

If you’re a mountain biking enthusiast, Nantahala National Forest is your paradise! With 40 miles of epic trails that offer stunning views of Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s an adventure you don’t want to miss.

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Clingmans Dome Observation Tower

Take in a breathtaking 360-degree view from the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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Elk in Cherokee

Head to the Great Smoky Mountains Oconaluftee Visitor Center and other scenic spots around Cherokee to catch a glimpse of majestic elk grazing and mingling in the meadows. It’s a real-life wildlife show that you won’t want to miss!

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For more outdoor adventure tips, go to our Great Smoky Mountains Hiking & Camping Guide.

Can I Bring My Dog to Great Smoky Mountain National Park? 

Yes and no. There are strict rules (and laws) about where you can and cannot take your pet dog in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 

Dogs are NOT allowed on any hiking trails or in the backcountry anywhere in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (including the Appalachian Trail).  

Service animals, including trained guide dogs for visually impaired or hearing-impaired people, are an exception to this rule. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals. Read the NPS Guide to Service Animals in National Parks here. 

Dogs ARE allowed in Great Smoky Mountain National Park campgrounds and picnic areas and along roads BUT they must always be kept on a leash of fewer than 6 feet in length. Allowing your dog to run off-leash in the park is against federal law and may be punishable by a fine. Pets that are caught running loose in the park may be impounded–so don’t risk it.

There are also two short walking trails in the park that allow leashed dogs: the Oconaluftee River Trail near Cherokee and The Gatlinburg Trail just outside of the town of Gatlinburg in Tennessee. 
Plan to bring poop bags with you, as pet owners are required by law to immediately clean up any waste left by their dogs. 

Visit NPS.gov to learn more about the GSMNP’s pet policy.

Fees
Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is FREE. The park is one of the only major national parks that does not charge an entrance fee. Fees are charged for activities such as overnight camping and pavilion rental at picnic areas. If you plan to camp in the park, reservations or permits may be necessary (backcountry camping, car camping, LeConte Lodge, horse camps, campgrounds). Reservations may be made for picnic pavilion use in picnic areas for group outings.

Overview of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Famous for the beauty of its ancient mountains, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is also an ecological treasure that is home to a number and diversity of plant and animal life unsurpassed in the National Park Service (NPS). The Park also offers a glimpse into the lives of early Southern Appalachian farming families and community lifestyles. Seventy-seven historic structures concentrated in five historic districts include a collection of log cabins, barns, churches, grist mills and various outbuildings. The Smokies offer activities for visitors of various ages and interests. Recommended activities include camping, hiking the park's more than 800 miles of trails, picnicking, sightseeing, fishing, auto touring, horseback riding, nature viewing, and photographic opportunities abound.

In addition to its role in preserving the rich natural and historical heritage, the Park is a place for outdoor recreational pursuits. These range from a short stroll in the woods to a more extensive hike in the backcountry. Camping, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding, or just viewing magnificent scenery are favorite pastimes. Every season in the Smokies can be the best time to visit: spring wildflowers, summer camping along cool mountain streams, fall foliage, and winter's crisp, blue skies are all reasons to visit. More than 4,000 species of plants grow here. A walk from mountain base to peak compares with traveling 1,250 miles north. Several resident plants and animals live only in the Smokies. The Park is an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. These international recognitions represent the Smokies' importance to the planet.

Visitor Centers in GSMNP

Want to get trail maps and info on the park directly from Rangers? There are four Visitor Centers in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, two in North Carolina, and two in Tennessee.  The two that are closest to Asheville are the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC, and Clingmans Dome Visitor Center in Bryson City, NC. Just a bit farther away you can visit the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, TN, and Cades Cove Visitor Center in Townsend, TN.

Related Articles about Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What is the hemlock woolly adelgid that is killing the hemlock trees in the Smokies? 

Read more about bear safety.

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