Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect day trip destination if you are staying in the Cherokee or Gatlinburg areas. This is the most visited national park in the United States, with over 12 million visitors in 2024. The park is in both North Carolina and Tennessee. You can access the park from the North Carolina side in Cherokee, or the Tennessee side in Gatlinburg. We typically stay on the North Carolina side since it is a little closer to Atlanta, but you could do this day trip from either state.

From North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway

If you come from the east side of Cherokee (Maggie Valley, Waynesville, etc.), you can take the Blue Ridge Parkway, which ends at the park. There are lots of beautiful stops for photos along the way.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Start your visit at the park at the Visitor Center near Cherokee. You can talk to rangers and pick up a map. Don’t forget to stamp your National Park Passport while you’re here!

Oconaluftee River Trail 

If you have a dog with you, you can take it on the Oconaluftee River Trail, which starts from the Visitor Center. This is one of the park’s two dog-friendly trails. It’s a beautiful trail that is fairly flat and graveled. The trail follows the river through elk habitat. It is three miles round trip.

Newfound Gap

Stop at Newfound Gap, a scenic mountain pass straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. This is the lowest drivable pass in the Smokies, sitting at 5,046 feet. You’ll find the Rockefeller Memorial here, where President Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940. The Appalachian Trail crosses here. You can access the trail to hike north to Charlies Bunion for about 8 miles round trip.

Hike to Clingmans Dome / Kuwohi 

Head to the highest point in the Smokies, which is about 15 minutes driving from Newfound Gap. You’ll get to the trailhead parking lot and then have a 0.5-mile steep hike up a paved trail to the observation tower. The views at the top are worth it! Note that this trail is not dog friendly.

Optional: Cades Cove

If you started your day early enough, you could head to Cades Cove, which is about two hours from Clingmans Dome. Once you’re there, you can drive the 11-mile loop that is known for seeing wildlife, historic cabins, and pretty mountain views. Late afternoon is ideal for seeing wildlife. 

From Cades Cove, it’s about 2.5 hours back to Cherokee. Or if you skipped Cades Cove, it’s about 45 minutes from Clingmans Dome.

Where to Stay in North Carolina

If you’re looking for a place to stay at the end of your day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I’ve got some suggestions for you! The town of Cherokee is the closest to the park entrance. Stonebrook Lodge Cherokee is a nice hotel there with rustic charm. Great Smokies Inn is an affordable hotel in Cherokee. There are also lots of good Airbnb options in the area.

From Tennessee

Gatlinburg Trail (dog friendly, 4 mi total)

The Gatlinburg Trail is the dog-friendly trail option on the Tennessee side. You’ll stroll along the river for a four-mile round trip hike. 

Sugarlands Visitor Center

The Visitor Center near Gatlinburg is called Sugarlands. You can talk to rangers and pick up a map. Don’t forget to stamp your National Park Passport while you’re here!

Hike to Clingmans Dome / Kuwohi

Head to the highest point in the Smokies. You’ll get to the trailhead parking lot and then have a 0.5-mile steep hike up a paved trail to the observation tower. The views at the top are worth it! Note that this trail is not dog friendly.

Newfound Gap

Stop at Newfound Gap, a scenic mountain pass straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. This is the lowest drivable pass in the Smokies, sitting at 5,046 feet. You’ll find the Rockefeller Memorial here, where President Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940. The Appalachian Trail crosses here. You can access it to hike north to Charlies Bunion for about 8 miles round trip.

Optional: Cades Cove

If you started your day early enough, you could head to Cades Cove, which is about two hours from Clingmans Dome. Once you’re there, you can drive the 11-mile loop that is known for seeing wildlife, historic cabins, and pretty mountain views. Late afternoon is ideal for seeing wildlife. 

From Cades Cove, it’s about 1.5 hours back to Gatlinburg. Or if you skipped Cades Cove, it’s about 50 minutes from Clingmans Dome.

Where to Stay in Tennessee

There are a lot of options for hotels to stay at in Gatlinburg. Embassy Suites by Hilton is very nice and super close to the park entrance. Historic Rocky Waters Inn is a small adults-only boutique hotel with river views. There are also several budget-friendly options, including Comfort Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites.

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