Tennessee

Tennessee on this site means the Smokies and the towns around them. We have driven every road in the park more times than we can count, so these guides cover the parts that trip people up: the parking tag, the Cades Cove loop, where to camp, and which gateway town fits the trip you actually want.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Start with the planning guide, then the parking tag, then whichever road or trail you want first.

A park road curving through a hillside of orange and red fall foliage in the Great Smoky MountainsHow to Plan a Trip to the Great Smoky MountainsFog rolling through misty ridgelines in the Great Smoky Mountains, with autumn color in the foreground treesGreat Smoky Mountains Itinerary 3 DaysRidgeline overlook in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains Parking TagCades Cove valley fields in fall colorCades Cove Loop RoadKuwohi (Clingmans Dome) observation tower rising above the summit in winter snowKuwohi (Clingmans Dome)The Rockefeller Memorial plaque and overlook at Newfound Gap on Newfound Gap RoadNewfound Gap RoadA wide mountain overlook view along the Foothills Parkway WestFoothills ParkwayThe narrow paved loop of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winding through the forestRoaring Fork Motor Nature Trail GuideCampsite at Cades Cove Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBest Campgrounds in the Great Smoky MountainsThe Appalachian Clubhouse building in the Elkmont Historic DistrictElkmont CampgroundThe twin rock spires of Chimney Tops seen from the trail in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBest Hiking Trails in the SmokiesRamsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dropping over a rock ledgeBest Waterfalls in the Smoky MountainsGreen valley and mountains seen from the Cades Cove Loop RoadAbrams Falls TrailPanoramic view of Mount LeConte rising above the Smoky Mountains near GatlinburgMount LeConteFog over fall-colored mountain ridges along Newfound Gap Road in the Smoky MountainsBest Time to Visit the Smoky MountainsBackpackers hiking a forest trail in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkWhat to Pack for the Smoky MountainsRolling grassy field at Oconaluftee where elk are often visible from the porchSmoky Mountains With Kidstuckaleechee-caverns-interior placeholder altCaves Near the Smoky MountainsThe French Broad River bending through forested ridges in fall color, seen from the Chimney Rocks overlook in Cherokee National Forest under a grey skyCherokee National Forest Horseback Riding

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend

The three Tennessee-side base towns, and what Dollywood really costs.

Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee along the Parkway with shops and mountains behindGatlinburg vs Pigeon ForgeAerial view of downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee with the Parkway and surrounding mountainsBest Time to Visit GatlinburgWild Eagle wing coaster at Dollywood with riders suspended off the side of the trackDollywood TicketsSunrise light over the Tuckaleechee Cove valley near Townsend, TennesseeBest Things to Do in Townsend, TN

Tennessee road trips

The loops we drive, in order, with the drive times worked out.

Panoramic view of the Tennessee valley from the Look Rock Observation Tower on Foothills ParkwayEast Tennessee Road TripMingus Mill, a historic water-powered grist mill near the Oconaluftee entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains Road Trip

Crossing into North Carolina? The park’s quieter side, Cherokee, Deep Creek and the Blue Ridge Parkway are on our North Carolina page.